How Fuel Savings Are Calculated
This calculator compares the annual fuel costs of a gas-powered vehicle with an electric vehicle based on your inputs:
- Gas cost: Annual miles / mpg × price per gallon
- EV cost: (Annual miles / 100) × kWh per 100mi × price per kWh
- Savings: Gas cost - EV cost
Average US Fuel and Electricity Costs
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Average gas price | $3.30/gallon | EIA (2025 avg) |
| Average electricity rate | $0.16/kWh | EIA residential avg |
| Average miles driven/year | 14,263 | FHWA |
| Average gas car MPG | 27.5 mpg | EPA fleet average |
| Average EV efficiency | 28 kWh/100mi | EPA estimates |
Factors That Affect EV Savings
- Electricity rates: Off-peak charging (often overnight) can cost 50% less than peak rates
- Solar panels: Home solar can reduce charging costs to near zero
- Public charging: DC fast chargers cost 2-4x more than home charging
- Climate: Cold weather reduces EV range and efficiency by 20-40%
- Driving style: Highway driving uses more energy; city driving benefits from regenerative braking
Total Cost of Ownership
Fuel savings are just one part of EV ownership costs. Other factors to consider:
- Purchase price: EVs often cost more upfront, but federal tax credits ($7,500) and state incentives help offset this
- Maintenance: EVs have fewer moving parts — no oil changes, transmission fluid, or timing belts
- Insurance: EV insurance can be 10-20% higher due to higher repair costs
- Depreciation: Varies by model; some EVs depreciate faster than gas equivalents
- Home charger installation: Level 2 charger installation costs $500-$2,000