EV vs. Gas Calculator
Compare the annual energy cost of an electric car and a gas car, based on mileage, consumption and price per kWh/liter.
How to use the calculator
- Enter how many kilometers you drive per year.
- Fill in consumption and price for the EV (kWh/100 km and $/kWh).
- Fill in consumption and price for the gas car (liter/100 km and $/liter). The calculator shows annual energy cost for both, and how much you save with an EV.
How the cost is calculated
The calculator computes annual energy cost for each car type separately, then finds the difference:
Gas car cost = (Mileage ÷ 100) × Gas consumption × Gas price
Savings = Gas car cost − EV cost
Winter changes the arithmetic
Electric cars use more energy in the cold, and the difference is larger than many expect. The battery is less efficient at low temperatures and — more importantly — cabin heat has to come from the battery. A petrol or diesel car gets that heat free as waste heat from the engine, which produces it anyway. Winter consumption for an electric car therefore sits considerably above summer consumption, while a combustion car's consumption rises far less.
That does not necessarily reverse the conclusion, but it moves it. Use summer consumption for the whole year and you overstate the saving. Charging price works the same way: charging at home overnight and rapid charging on a long trip sit in completely different price brackets, and a realistic comparison should use the mix you will actually have.
Frequently asked questions
What isn't included in this comparison?
The calculator only looks at energy/fuel cost. Purchase price, taxes, insurance, service, maintenance and depreciation aren't included, but can make up a large share of total ownership costs.
Why do electricity and gas prices vary so much?
Electricity prices vary with season, time of day, region and plan. Gas prices vary with crude oil prices, taxes and local competition. Use an average for a more representative figure.
Does an EV always pay off?
Not necessarily. Energy cost is often lower for an EV, but the full picture also depends on purchase price, mileage, access to charging, and other ownership costs not included in this comparison.