Why do EVs typically have lower maintenance costs?

EVs have fewer moving parts than gas cars (no oil changes, spark plugs, or exhaust system) and regenerative braking reduces brake wear — Consumer Reports' lifetime-average data shows meaningfully lower typical maintenance costs, though this varies by specific vehicle.

What if the EV never reaches breakeven?

If your annual mileage is low or the purchase price premium is large, the EV's running-cost savings may not offset the higher upfront cost within your holding period — the tool flags this directly rather than showing a misleading breakeven figure.

Does this include financing costs (loan interest)?

No — this compares purchase price and operating costs only. If you're financing either vehicle, add loan interest separately (see the Auto Loan Calculator).

Does this account for resale value differences?

No — EVs and gas cars can depreciate differently (battery degradation concerns vs. established gas-car resale markets), which isn't modeled here. Consider resale value separately if it matters to your decision.

How accurate are the default efficiency and maintenance figures?

They're reasonable national averages, but your specific vehicle's real-world efficiency and maintenance costs can differ — replace the defaults with your actual vehicle's EPA-rated efficiency and any real maintenance data you have.

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Finance

EV vs. Gas Car Savings Calculator

Total cost of ownership and breakeven point comparing an EV against a gas car.

🔒 Runs entirely in your browser — nothing here is ever uploaded

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Last reviewed 2026-08-30

About the EV vs. Gas Car Savings Calculator

Compares total cost of ownership between an electric vehicle and a gas car over a chosen holding period — purchase price plus annual fuel/electricity and maintenance costs — and finds the breakeven point where the EV's lower running costs offset any higher purchase price.

100% Free Runs in Your Browser No Sign-Up Required

How to use it

Enter your annual miles driven and how many years you'd hold the vehicle.
Enter the gas car's purchase price, fuel economy (mpg), gas price, and maintenance cost per mile.
Enter the EV's purchase price, efficiency (kWh/100mi), electricity price, and maintenance cost per mile.
Read which vehicle saves money over the holding period, and the breakeven point in years.

Formula

Gas annual operating cost = (miles ÷ mpg × gas price/gal) + (miles × gas maintenance $/mile). EV annual operating cost = (miles × kWh/100mi ÷ 100 × price/kWh) + (miles × EV maintenance $/mile). Total cost (each) = purchase price + annual operating cost × holding years. Breakeven (years) = (EV purchase price − gas purchase price) ÷ (gas annual operating cost − EV annual operating cost), when the EV costs more upfront but less to run.

Worked example

15,000 annual miles over 5 years: a $32,000 gas car (32 mpg, $4.08/gal, $0.061/mile maintenance) versus a $38,000 EV (30 kWh/100mi, $0.1816/kWh, $0.031/mile maintenance): the EV's lower annual operating cost offsets its $6,000 purchase premium within a few years, saving money overall by the end of the 5-year holding period.

Interpreting your result

Maintenance cost defaults reflect Consumer Reports' lifetime-average $/mile figures (2020 study) for gas vs. electric vehicles — EVs generally have fewer moving parts (no oil changes, fewer brake replacements due to regenerative braking) and correspondingly lower typical maintenance costs, though this varies by specific vehicle and usage. This doesn't include financing costs (loan interest), insurance differences, potential tax credits/rebates for EV purchases, or resale value differences between the two vehicle types at the end of the holding period.

Recommendations

• The breakeven point shortens the more you drive annually, since running-cost savings accumulate faster with more miles — a low-mileage driver may never reach breakeven within a typical holding period.
• This doesn't include EV purchase incentives/tax credits, which can significantly narrow or eliminate the upfront price gap depending on your location and the specific vehicle's eligibility.
• Maintenance savings for EVs come mainly from having no oil changes and less brake wear (from regenerative braking) — but check your specific EV model, since maintenance costs still vary by vehicle.

Frequently asked questions

No — enter your EV's actual out-of-pocket price after any credits/rebates you expect to qualify for, since eligibility and amounts vary significantly by location, income, and specific vehicle.