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EV vs Gasoline 5-Year Total Cost
Sticker price is only the start. Add five years of fuel and maintenance to see which car actually costs less — and when the EV catches up, if it does.
The two cars
Enter the price after any tax credit you qualify for — credits vary by model and buyer.
5-year total — EV$46,414Fuel $583/year · maintenance $300/year
5-year total — gasoline$43,000Fuel $1,400/year · maintenance $800/year
Difference (EV minus gasoline)$3,414 more for the EVNo breakeven in 5 years — projected year 8 at current rates.
Cumulative cost by year
| Year | EV | Gasoline | EV minus gas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase | $42,000 | $32,000 | $10,000 |
| 1 | $42,883 | $34,200 | $8,683 |
| 2 | $43,766 | $36,400 | $7,366 |
| 3 | $44,649 | $38,600 | $6,049 |
| 4 | $45,531 | $40,800 | $4,731 |
| 5 | $46,414 | $43,000 | $3,414 |
How it works
Each year adds fuel plus maintenance to the purchase price. EV fuel = miles ÷ efficiency × electricity rate; gasoline fuel = miles ÷ mpg × price per gallon. Breakeven is the first year the EV's cumulative cost falls to or below the gasoline car's.
Assumptions & sources
- Excludes insurance, financing interest, resale value and home charger installation — all four can move the result.
- Fuel prices, rates and maintenance are held constant over 5 years; real prices move.
- Purchase prices should reflect incentives you actually qualify for; federal and state credits vary by model, income and timing.
- Estimates only — a buying decision should also weigh range, charging access and battery longevity.
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