EV vs Gas Savings Calculator
Compare the annual fuel cost of a petrol/gas car vs an electric vehicle. Calculate your savings from switching to an EV based on your driving habits and local energy prices.
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How to use this calculator
- 1
Select your country — fuel costs and distance units are pre-filled for each country.
- 2
Enter your annual distance driven in miles (US/UK) or kilometres (IN/CA/AU).
- 3
Enter your current car's fuel consumption in MPG (US/UK) or L/100km or km/litre (others).
- 4
Adjust the fuel cost and electricity cost if your local rates differ from the defaults.
- 5
Set the EV efficiency in kWh/100km (or miles/kWh for US/UK). Most EVs use 15–20 kWh/100km.
- 6
The calculator shows your annual fuel cost vs EV electricity cost and the 5-year savings.
Frequently asked questions
Does this calculator include EV purchase price?
No — this calculator focuses on fuel cost savings only. To calculate total cost of ownership (TCO), subtract the fuel savings from the EV's price premium over a comparable petrol car. Most EVs also save on maintenance (no oil changes, longer brake life due to regenerative braking, fewer moving parts).
What EV efficiency figure should I use?
Most electric cars consume 15–22 kWh per 100 km. The Tesla Model 3 uses around 14–16 kWh/100km; larger SUVs like the Kia EV6 use 17–20 kWh/100km. For US/UK in miles/kWh: Tesla Model 3 achieves about 4 miles/kWh, while larger EVs average 3–3.5 miles/kWh. The default of 18 kWh/100km (or 3.5 miles/kWh) is a conservative mid-range estimate.
How much cheaper is charging an EV vs petrol in India?
India offers some of the world's biggest EV fuel savings. At ₹105/litre for petrol and ₹6/kWh for electricity, an EV costing ₹1 per km to run compares to a petrol car at ₹7–9 per km — a saving of 85–90% on fuel costs. Two-wheeler EV conversions in India have payback periods under 2 years.
Is home charging or public charging more cost-effective?
Home charging (off-peak electricity rate) is significantly cheaper than public rapid charging. In the UK, off-peak home charging can be as low as 7p/kWh on Octopus Go or similar tariffs, versus 60–80p/kWh at rapid public chargers. The electricity cost you enter should reflect your home charging rate for the most realistic savings estimate.
How do I account for Canadian provincial electricity prices?
Electricity prices in Canada vary significantly by province. Hydro-rich provinces like Quebec (CA$0.07/kWh) and British Columbia (CA$0.11/kWh) make EV ownership extremely cost-effective. Ontario averages around CA$0.17/kWh; Alberta is higher. Enter your province's actual rate in the electricity cost field for accurate results.
EV vs Gas Savings Calculator — How Much Could You Save Switching to Electric?
The Real Fuel Cost Difference Between EVs and Petrol Cars
In the United States, the average gas car spending $3.50/gallon at 30 MPG costs about $1,750/year to fuel over 15,000 miles. An equivalent EV at 4 miles/kWh and $0.16/kWh costs just $600 — a saving of $1,150/year, or $5,750 over five years. In the UK the savings are even larger: petrol at £1.55/litre against home charging at 7–15p/kWh creates a 5x fuel cost advantage for EV drivers.
Why EV Economics Vary So Much by Country
EV savings depend entirely on the ratio of electricity to fuel prices. India and the UK offer the strongest economics: Indian petrol at ₹105/litre vs electricity at ₹6/kWh gives EVs a near-90% fuel cost advantage. Australia's high electricity rates (A$0.32/kWh) reduce but don't eliminate the EV advantage — petrol at A$2.10/litre still makes EVs significantly cheaper to run. Canada's hydro-powered provinces like Quebec (electricity as low as CA$0.07/kWh) offer exceptional EV economics.
Total Cost of EV Ownership Beyond Fuel
Fuel savings are only part of the EV ownership picture. EVs have fewer moving parts — no oil changes (saving $100–200/year), longer brake life due to regenerative braking, no transmission fluid, and no exhaust system. A Consumer Reports study found EV owners in the US spend 40% less on maintenance than petrol car owners. Combined with fuel savings, the 5-year total cost advantage of an EV can offset a significant portion of the higher purchase price.
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Results are estimates for informational purposes only and do not constitute professional financial, medical, legal, or technical advice. Read full disclaimer →