Enter Vehicle Cost Inputs
This page uses one stacked layout, while the input grid shifts to three columns on large screens, two on smaller screens, and one on mobile.
Formula Used
Gas fuel cost per mile = Gas Price per Gallon ÷ MPG
Annual gas fuel cost = Annual Miles × Gas Fuel Cost per Mile
Weighted electric rate = (Home Rate × Home Share) + (Public Rate × Public Share)
Purchased EV kWh per mile = (kWh per 100 Miles ÷ 100) × 1 ÷ (1 − Charging Loss)
EV charging cost per mile = Purchased EV kWh per Mile × Weighted Electric Rate
Annual recurring ownership cost = Energy + Maintenance + Insurance + Registration + Other Annual Costs
Total ownership cost = Net Vehicle Asset Cost + (Annual Recurring Cost × Ownership Years)
Net vehicle asset cost = Purchase Price − Incentives − Resale Value
Total savings from EV = Gas Total Ownership Cost − Electric Total Ownership Cost
Break-even years = EV Asset Premium ÷ Annual Recurring Savings
Break-even miles = [EV Asset Premium + Years × (EV Fixed Annual − Gas Fixed Annual)] ÷ (Gas Energy per Mile − EV Energy per Mile)
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter your annual mileage and expected ownership period.
- Fill in gas vehicle purchase, resale, fuel economy, and yearly costs.
- Fill in electric vehicle purchase, rebates, efficiency, and annual costs.
- Split charging between home and public use.
- Add charging loss to reflect energy lost during charging.
- Submit the form to see totals, savings, break-even estimates, and charts.
- Use the export buttons to download the comparison as CSV or PDF.
Example Data Table
These sample values help illustrate a realistic comparison setup.
| Input Item | Gas Example | Electric Example |
|---|---|---|
| Annual miles | 15,000 | 15,000 |
| Ownership years | 5 | 5 |
| Purchase price | $29,000 | $41,000 |
| Resale value | $11,000 | $18,000 |
| Efficiency | 30 MPG | 29 kWh per 100 miles |
| Energy price | $3.90 per gallon | $0.16 home / $0.38 public |
| Annual maintenance | $650 | $350 |
| Annual insurance | $1,300 | $1,450 |
| Annual registration | $240 | $260 |
| Other annual costs | $200 | $120 + $250 battery reserve |
| Incentives | $0 | $7,500 |
| Public charging share | Not applicable | 20% |
| Charging loss | Not applicable | 10% |
FAQs
1. Why does this calculator include purchase and resale values?
Purchase price alone can mislead. Total ownership cost improves when you subtract the vehicle’s expected resale value and add yearly operating costs over the time you plan to keep it.
2. Why are home and public charging entered separately?
Charging cost changes a lot by location. A mostly home-charged EV can look much cheaper than one relying on frequent public fast charging.
3. What does charging loss mean?
Not every kilowatt-hour bought from the grid reaches the battery. Some energy becomes heat during conversion, battery conditioning, and charging inefficiency.
4. Why might break-even show N/A?
Break-even appears only when the EV saves enough per year or per mile to recover its price premium. If it does not, a break-even point may not exist.
5. Should I include insurance and registration?
Yes. Some EVs cost more to insure, and some regions charge higher registration fees. Including them gives a more realistic ownership estimate.
6. What is the battery reserve field for?
It is an annual placeholder for future battery-related expenses or long-term reserve budgeting. Use zero if you do not want to include that estimate.
7. Does higher mileage usually favor electric vehicles?
Often yes. Higher mileage magnifies energy savings per mile. If your charging cost stays low, the EV can recover its upfront premium faster.
8. Can this calculator replace exact dealer or utility quotes?
No. It is a planning tool. Use actual finance terms, taxes, fuel prices, charging plans, and resale data before making a final purchase decision.