By EV Charge Cost Editorial Team. Published September 28, 2026, updated October 26, 2026.
Most EV comparisons ask how much you save. The break-even price flips the question: how expensive would electricity have to get before the EV stops saving anything on fuel? It is a useful stress test, because it tells you how much room you have.
The formula
Break-even price (¢/kWh) = (gas price ÷ mpg) ÷ (kWh per mile) × 100.
- Gas cost per mile: $4.28 ÷ 30 mpg = $0.143.
- EV energy per mile: 33.5 kWh ÷ 100 = 0.335 kWh.
- Break-even: $0.143 ÷ 0.335 = $0.426 per kWh, or 42.63¢/kWh.
The U.S. average residential price in August 2026 was 18.16¢/kWh, 24.5¢ below break-even. In other words, electricity could rise 135% before the typical EV lost its fuel-cost advantage.
What moves the break-even price
The break-even rises with gas prices and falls as the gas car gets more efficient or the EV gets less efficient.
| EV efficiency | vs 25 mpg | vs 30 mpg | vs 35 mpg | vs 40 mpg | vs 50 mpg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25.0 kWh/100 mi | 68.54¢/kWh | 57.12¢/kWh | 48.96¢/kWh | 42.84¢/kWh | 34.27¢/kWh |
| 30.0 kWh/100 mi | 57.12¢/kWh | 47.60¢/kWh | 40.80¢/kWh | 35.70¢/kWh | 28.56¢/kWh |
| 33.5 kWh/100 mi (typical) | 51.15¢/kWh | 42.63¢/kWh | 36.54¢/kWh | 31.97¢/kWh | 25.58¢/kWh |
| 40.0 kWh/100 mi | 42.84¢/kWh | 35.70¢/kWh | 30.60¢/kWh | 26.78¢/kWh | 21.42¢/kWh |
| 45.0 kWh/100 mi | 38.08¢/kWh | 31.73¢/kWh | 27.20¢/kWh | 23.80¢/kWh | 19.04¢/kWh |
Against a 30 mpg car, an efficient 25 kWh/100 mi EV has a break-even of 57.12¢/kWh. Against a 50 mpg hybrid, a 45 kWh/100 mi EV breaks even at just 19.04¢/kWh. The comparison you care about depends on which car you would buy instead. See EV vs hybrid fuel cost.
States closest to break-even
Using each state's EIA electricity price and its regional gas price, the table lists the states with the least headroom. In every state the average home rate is below break-even for a 30 mpg comparison.
| State | Gas | Break-even | Actual | Headroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $5.01 | 49.82¢/kWh | 47.18¢/kWh | +2.6¢ |
| Maine | $4.25 | 42.28¢/kWh | 32.11¢/kWh | +10.2¢ |
| Massachusetts | $4.25 | 42.28¢/kWh | 30.48¢/kWh | +11.8¢ |
| Rhode Island | $4.25 | 42.28¢/kWh | 28.18¢/kWh | +14.1¢ |
| New York | $4.31 | 42.91¢/kWh | 28.65¢/kWh | +14.3¢ |
| New Hampshire | $4.25 | 42.28¢/kWh | 27.64¢/kWh | +14.6¢ |
| District of Columbia | $4.31 | 42.91¢/kWh | 25.98¢/kWh | +16.9¢ |
| Connecticut | $4.25 | 42.28¢/kWh | 24.51¢/kWh | +17.8¢ |
| Michigan | $4.15 | 41.24¢/kWh | 22.99¢/kWh | +18.3¢ |
| New Jersey | $4.31 | 42.91¢/kWh | 24.61¢/kWh | +18.3¢ |
At the other end, Nevada has the most room: its break-even is 49.82¢/kWh against an average price of 12.72¢/kWh.
Public charging and the break-even
State averages are home rates. Public DC fast charging is usually priced far higher. If public fast charging costs $0.45 per kWh, the EV at the U.S. average home rate reaches break-even when about 91% of its energy comes from public chargers. So even a driver who relies almost entirely on fast chargers saves little or nothing on fuel against this gas car, while home charging keeps most of the saving. For more, see public fast charging vs home charging.
Common mistakes
- Using the energy charge only. Many bills split the price into generation, delivery, riders and taxes. Add every per-kWh line, or divide the total bill (minus fixed monthly charges) by the kWh used. See how to find your electricity rate.
- Using only the EPA ratings. Real-world mpg is often below the label, which raises the break-even in the EV's favor. The EV's real kWh per mile is often above its rating too, which pulls the break-even back down. Use real figures for both cars where you have them.
- Ignoring tiers. On a tiered plan the EV's extra kWh may be billed at the top tier, which is above your average price.
How to use it
- Find your real rate, including delivery charges and taxes per kWh.
- Work out your break-even with your local gas price, your current car's real mpg and the EV's kWh/100 mi.
- If your rate is well below break-even, the EV saves on fuel even if gas prices fall. If it is close, an off-peak plan or a more efficient model makes the difference.
The EV vs gas calculator shows the break-even for any state and car.