By EV Charge Cost Editorial Team. Published September 28, 2026, updated October 26, 2026.
Comparing an EV with an average gas car makes the EV look very good. A fairer test for many buyers is a hybrid, which burns far less gasoline. This guide uses assumed hybrid fuel economy figures, labeled as assumptions; check the EPA rating of the specific hybrid you are considering.
Cost per 100 miles at national averages
Electricity at the U.S. average of 18.16¢/kWh (August 2026) and regular gas at $4.28 (week of 2026-10-19), 13,500 miles a year:
| Vehicle (assumption) | Per 100 miles | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| EV, 33.5 kWh/100 mi (typical) | $6.08 | $821 |
| EV, 28 kWh/100 mi (efficient) | $5.08 | $686 |
| EV, 45 kWh/100 mi (large SUV or truck) | $8.17 | $1,103 |
| Hybrid, assumed 45 mpg | $9.52 | $1,285 |
| Hybrid, assumed 50 mpg | $8.57 | $1,157 |
| Gas car, assumed 30 mpg | $14.28 | $1,928 |
The gap between a typical EV and a 50 mpg hybrid is $335 a year in the EV's favor. Compare that with the $1,107 a year difference against a 30 mpg car: a hybrid captures a large share of the fuel savings an EV offers. A large EV at 45 kWh/100 mi still edges out the 50 mpg hybrid at national averages.
The break-even against a hybrid
An EV matches a 50 mpg hybrid on fuel cost when electricity costs (gas price ÷ 50) ÷ kWh per mile. At $4.28 gas and 33.5 kWh/100 mi that is 25.58¢/kWh, compared with 42.63¢/kWh against a 30 mpg car. The same EV has much less headroom against a hybrid. See the break-even electricity price.
State by state: where the hybrid wins
Using each state's electricity price and its regional gas price, the EV is cheaper to fuel than a 50 mpg hybrid in 44 of 51 states. The hybrid is cheaper in Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and District of Columbia. The EV's biggest advantage is in Nevada, about $777 a year.
| State | Electricity | Gas | Break-even | EV vs hybrid per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 47.18¢/kWh | $5.01 | 29.89¢/kWh | hybrid saves $782 |
| Maine | 32.11¢/kWh | $4.25 | 25.37¢/kWh | hybrid saves $305 |
| Massachusetts | 30.48¢/kWh | $4.25 | 25.37¢/kWh | hybrid saves $231 |
| New York | 28.65¢/kWh | $4.31 | 25.74¢/kWh | hybrid saves $131 |
| Rhode Island | 28.18¢/kWh | $4.25 | 25.37¢/kWh | hybrid saves $127 |
| New Hampshire | 27.64¢/kWh | $4.25 | 25.37¢/kWh | hybrid saves $103 |
| District of Columbia | 25.98¢/kWh | $4.31 | 25.74¢/kWh | hybrid saves $11 |
| Alaska | 29.41¢/kWh | $5.01 | 29.89¢/kWh | EV saves $22 |
| Connecticut | 24.51¢/kWh | $4.25 | 25.37¢/kWh | EV saves $39 |
| New Jersey | 24.61¢/kWh | $4.31 | 25.74¢/kWh | EV saves $51 |
What the fuel comparison leaves out
- Your real electricity rate. An off-peak EV plan can move a state from the hybrid column to the EV column. See time-of-use rates.
- Public charging. Paying fast-charger prices for much of your driving can make an EV cost more to fuel than a hybrid.
- Real-world mpg. Hybrids do best in stop-and-go driving; on the highway their advantage over regular cars narrows. EVs lose efficiency in cold weather and at high speed.
- Other costs. Purchase price, insurance, maintenance and resale value can matter more than fuel.
How to decide
If most of your driving is local and you can charge at home at or below your state average, the EV is usually the cheaper car to fuel, and the gap grows with mileage. If you cannot charge at home, live in a state near the break-even, or drive long highway distances where you would rely on fast chargers, a hybrid's fuel costs are hard to beat. Compare the specific models' EPA ratings rather than class averages; efficiency differences inside each category are large.
What about plug-in hybrids?
A plug-in hybrid runs on electricity for shorter trips and gasoline for longer ones, so its fuel cost falls between the two. How much depends on how many of your miles are electric; see plug-in hybrid charging cost. For your own comparison, enter your hybrid's mpg in the EV vs gas calculator.