Electric Vehicle vs Gas Calculator - Savings in 2026

 

Use the Electric Vehicle vs Gas Car Fuel and Maintenance Calculator. 

Estimate in seconds whether going electric could save you thousands in fuel and maintenance costs in 2026!

Tired of paying a fortune at the gas pump but unsure whether switching to an electric car is the smart financial move? You’re in good company. More and more drivers are hitting the brakes to ask: “Will an electric car really save me money?”

That’s exactly why we built the EV vs. Gas Calculator — a fast, simple, and eye-opening tool that breaks down the costs of driving a gas vehicle versus an electric vehicle (EV).

Spoiler alert: the potential savings are often bigger than people expect.

From drastically cutting fuel expenses to significantly reducing maintenance costs, going electric isn’t just better for public health and the planet. It can also be a smart financial move.

Many drivers are surprised to learn they could save hundreds — or even thousands — of dollars year after year on fuel and maintenance. In fact, the latest data shows the average U.S. EV driver saves over $1,000 annually on fuel and maintenance.

Curious what your personal savings could look like?

Use the EV vs. Gas Calculator to estimate how much switching could boost your bottom line.

Why guess when you can calculate? It takes less than a minute and could change the way you think about your next car.

 

*Note: This tool provides an estimate based on your inputs. Actual savings may be higher or lower.

 

What Is the EV vs Gas Calculator?


The Electric Vehicle vs. Gas Car Calculator is a free, simple yet powerful tool designed to compare the costs of a traditional gasoline vehicle with those of an electric car. By entering a few quick details — like your annual mileage and your ZIP code — the calculator estimates your monthly and yearly savings on fuel and maintenance.

It’s especially valuable if you're wondering whether an EV fits your budget in 2026. Think EVs are too expensive? You might be in for a surprise when comparing the total cost of ownership.

Between skipping the gas pump and reducing maintenance, you could discover that going electric might save you thousands over time.

Stop Guessing and Start Planning

Check your potential savings now and take one step closer to a cleaner, more cost-effective future on the road.

 

 
 

How You Can Use The EV vs Gas Calculator


We’ve broken down this process into three simple steps, allowing you to see at a glance how choosing an electric car can transform your finances.

Here’s what you’ll do:

Step 1: Estimate Your Fuel and Maintenance Savings

First, you’ll input two key details:

  • Mileage Information:
    Provide an estimate of how many miles you drive each year. The average U.S. driver drives about 37 miles per day, or roughly 14,000 miles per year. Driving 60 miles per day equals about 22,000 miles per year. Some high-mileage drivers log 40,000 miles per year, or roughly 110 miles per day. If you’d like to calculate this more precisely, you can use this calculator.

 

  • ZIP Code:
    Enter your ZIP code. This matters because electricity rates and gasoline prices vary by state and directly impact your fueling costs.

Once you fill in these details, you’ll instantly see your estimated monthly savings based on your current gas expenses versus what you’d likely spend on electricity and reduced maintenance with an EV.

Step 2: Refine Your Savings Estimate

Second, you can refine your estimate further:

  • Fuel Efficiency (MPG): Enter your gas car’s average MPG. Not sure? You can look it up here.

  • Electric Vehicle Class: Whether your preferred EV is a compact car, a crossover SUV, or a full-size SUV, the calculator adapts to reflect differences in cost.

  • Home Charging Availability: You can indicate whether you have the option to charge at home, as residential charging is typically the cheapest and most convenient option.

 

Your results instantly display and will look something like this:

Remember, this amount reflects your annual savings—and since you’ll likely drive your car for many years, the long-term impact can be much more significant.

For reference, the average driver in the U.S. can save about $70 every single month on fuel alone by plugging in instead of filling up.

For drivers who rack up serious mileage, the savings are even more impressive - about $200 a month on fuel. And that’s not even counting the extra money saved on maintenance!

 
 

Use The EV vs Gas Calculator


Simply enter your ZIP code and an estimate of your annual mileage for an instant estimate of how much you could potentially save on fuel & maintenance every single year!

 
 
 
 
 
 

*Disclaimer: This tool is only intended to provide an estimate of potential savings. Actual results will vary.

 
 

Step 3: Explore EV Deals Near You and Make Your Transition Easy

Once you see how much you can save by going electric, the next step is turning those numbers into real-life impact. And our nonprofit is here to help!

Coltura’s free-to-use EV Deal Explorer allows you to shop a wide selection of new and used electric vehicles. It can help make 2026 the year you say goodbye to gas pump fumes and switch to cheaper, cleaner fuel and more enjoyable driving.

 
 
 
 
 

EV Cost Per Mile vs Gas Calculator

If you’re curious how much you could save per mile by switching from a gas car to an electric vehicle, Coltura’s EV Cost Savings Index is a great place to start.

Recent analysis shows that U.S. drivers save an average of 9.2 cents per mile driving an EV compared to a gas car, with fuel savings alone accounting for about 6.2 cents per mile. Savings vary by state based on local gas prices and electricity rates, but EVs continue to deliver consistent per-mile savings nationwide.

To see how these savings play out where you live — and what they could mean for your daily commute or annual driving — explore the EV Cost Savings Index.

It breaks down per-mile, monthly, and annual savings by state, making it easy to estimate how much driving electric could lower your transportation costs compared to gasoline.

 
 

Conclusion


Ready to See How Much You’ll Save?

Whether you're motivated by lower monthly costs, cleaner air, or breaking free from gas dependence, switching to an electric vehicle is one of the smartest moves you can make.

Our Gas vs. Electric Car Cost Calculator breaks down fuel savings and maintenance costs so you can quickly estimate the financial impact.

Don’t wait to discover how an EV could transform both your commute and your budget. Calculate your potential savings now and explore EV deals near you.

What People Are Saying About EV Savings

I went from $1,800 a month to just $400 to $500. Just a no brainer. With not worrying about my budget as much, I can offer to give my kids rides to more places, and even drive their friends.

— Doug S.

The gas savings is a huge benefit. And I never think about oil changes, it’s just software updates. If you do need a repair, you don’t worry as much about ‘is this a good mechanic?’ because the cars are so simple. So it eases the headache.

— Maleek G.

It’s a little extra money up front, but you’re going to save in the long run. You’re way ahead of the curve, saving all this money on gas. And it’s a lot easier, because they’re better built and there aren’t these unpredictable problems popping out of nowhere.

— Gabe L.
 

Electric Car Savings Calculator – Your Top Questions Answered


Is it cheaper to charge an EV or buy gas?

Yes — charging an EV is cheaper than buying gas. Most drivers spend significantly less per mile on electricity, saving around $70 per month on fuel, and high-mileage drivers can save up to $200 per month. When lower maintenance costs are included, EV drivers save over $1,000 per year on average.

How much does it cost to charge an EV per month?

Most EV drivers spend $30–$60 per month charging at home. Costs vary based on driving habits and local electricity rates, but this is typically far less than monthly gas expenses, which often exceed $150.

Are electric vehicles cheaper to own than gas cars long term?

Yes, electric vehicles are cheaper to own long term for most drivers. Lower fuel and maintenance costs usually outweigh higher upfront prices, saving many drivers thousands of dollars over five years or more.

Do electric cars really save money compared to gasoline vehicles?

Yes, electric cars save money compared to gasoline vehicles. Even when EVs cost more initially, lower fuel and routine maintenance costs typically lead to substantial long-term savings.

What exactly does the EV vs Gas Calculator compare?

The EV vs Gas Calculator compares costs for gas and electric vehicles. It weighs gasoline costs, electricity costs, and maintenance expenses to show your personalized potential yearly savings.

How much money can you save by switching from gas to an EV?

Most drivers save money by switching to an EV. Many save hundreds of dollars per year, and many save over $1,000 annually when fuel and maintenance savings are combined — with even greater savings for high-mileage drivers.

How does the calculator estimate EV charging costs?

The calculator estimates EV charging costs using real-world energy and driving data. It factors in your state’s average electricity rates, your estimated annual mileage, and the EV’s energy efficiency (kWh per mile).

Home charging costs are based on average residential electricity rates by state from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Public charging costs use the national average DC fast-charging price ($0.43 per kWh). Gasoline costs are estimated using each state’s average gas price.

Maintenance savings are calculated using average per-mile maintenance costs:

  • Gas vehicles: Compact $0.1185, Crossover SUV $0.1087, Full SUV $0.1110, Truck $0.1088
  • Electric vehicles: $0.0789 per mile

Together, these inputs provide a clear, apples-to-apples comparison of fuel and maintenance costs between gas cars and EVs.

Are there additional resources to help me switch to an EV?

Yes! Use our nonprofit’s free EV Deal Explorer tool to compare models by range, price, charging speed, and more. You can also use Coltura’s free EV AI Assistant is here to help 24/7 with any questions you have about EVs.

 
 

About Coltura


 
 

Coltura is an award-winning nonprofit that has been driving the Beyond Gasoline movement in the U.S. for more than a decade.

As a trusted source on electric vehicles, we do not use affiliate links or ads to encourage one EV or EV product over another.

Our goal with the EV Savings Calculator is to fuel the switch to cleaner, cheaper, local electricity — so more people can experience the benefits of EVs, communities burdened by the high cost of gasoline can find relief, and everyone can enjoy healthier air.

About Coltura


Coltura is an award-winning nonprofit that has been driving the Beyond Gasoline movement in the U.S. for more than a decade.

As a trusted source on electric vehicles, we do not use affiliate links or ads to encourage one EV or EV product over another.

Our goal with the EV Savings Calculator is to fuel the switch to cleaner, cheaper, local electricity — so more people can experience the benefits of EVs, communities burdened by the high cost of gasoline can find relief, and everyone can enjoy healthier air.

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