By EV Charge Cost Editorial Team. Published September 28, 2026, updated October 26, 2026.
The two formulas
- EV cost per mile = (kWh per 100 miles ÷ 100) × price per kWh
- Gas cost per mile = price per gallon ÷ miles per gallon
Break-even electricity price
An EV costs the same per mile as the gas car when the electricity price equals (gas price ÷ mpg) ÷ (kWh per mile). With $4.284 gas, a 30 mpg car and a 33.5 kWh/100 mi EV, the break-even is 42.6¢/kWh. Home electricity is above that in Hawaii.
Yearly difference
At 13,500 miles a year, the gas car uses about 450 gallons ($1,927.80), while the EV uses about 4,523 kWh ($821.29): a difference of $1,106.51 a year in fuel alone.
This covers energy only. Insurance, maintenance, depreciation and purchase price also differ. Compare your own state and car in the EV vs gas calculator.
Cost per 100 miles at different gas prices
Gas prices move faster than electricity prices, so the EV's fuel advantage moves with them. The table keeps the EV at the U.S. average electricity price ($6.08 per 100 miles) and varies the price of regular gasoline.
| Gas price | Gas car per 100 mi | EV per 100 mi | EV saves per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3.00/gal | $10.00 | $6.08 | $528.71 |
| $3.50/gal | $11.67 | $6.08 | $753.71 |
| $4.00/gal | $13.33 | $6.08 | $978.71 |
| $4.50/gal | $15.00 | $6.08 | $1,203.71 |
| $5.00/gal | $16.67 | $6.08 | $1,428.71 |
| $5.50/gal | $18.33 | $6.08 | $1,653.71 |
Where the comparison is closest
The gap is smallest where electricity is expensive and gasoline is cheap. In Hawaii, electricity is 47.18¢/kWh, so a typical EV costs $15.81 per 100 miles against $16.69 for a 30 mpg car at the regional gas price of $5.007. In Nevada, the EV costs $4.26 per 100 miles against $16.69. The EV vs gas page ranks every state by yearly savings.
What this comparison leaves out
- Public charging. Fast charging often costs several times the home rate; see public vs home charging cost.
- Efficient gas cars. A hybrid narrows the gap; see EV vs hybrid fuel cost.
- Everything else. Purchase price, insurance, maintenance and resale value can outweigh fuel differences.
At today's national prices, the break-even electricity price for these example cars is 42.6¢/kWh. More on that in the break-even guide.
How to run the comparison for your own cars
- Write down the combined mpg of the gas car you would otherwise drive, from its EPA label or your own fuel log.
- Look up the EV's kWh per 100 miles on its vehicle page; the EPA figure already includes charging losses.
- Use your real electricity price, including delivery charges, and the gas price you actually pay locally.
- Estimate how much of your charging happens at public fast chargers and at what price per kWh.
- Enter everything in the EV vs gas calculator. It shows the yearly savings and the break-even electricity price for your inputs.
Rerun the comparison when gas prices swing or your utility changes rates. Because gasoline is more volatile than residential electricity, the EV's advantage usually widens when gas spikes and narrows when it falls, as the table above shows.