Is an Electric Car Cheaper to Own Than a Gas Car?

The electric vs. gas comparison looks simple on the surface — EVs cost more upfront but less to fuel — but the real answer requires modeling all seven cost components side by side: purchase price (after credits), financing cost, depreciation, insurance, fuel, maintenance, and resale value. When all seven are included, the winner depends heavily on your specific situation. The Electric vs Gas Car Cost Calculator runs a full side-by-side comparison across your chosen time horizon, showing total cost of ownership for both vehicles year by year. It models the federal EV tax credit, your local electricity and gas prices, each vehicle's real-world efficiency, insurance differences, and the maintenance savings from eliminating oil changes, transmission service, and reducing brake wear through regenerative braking. The output is a clear winner determination with a dollar-figure advantage, year-by-year cost chart, and a scenario comparison showing how the result changes at different gas prices, mileage levels, and electricity rates. This is the decision tool for anyone seriously comparing a specific EV against its gas equivalent — with their actual numbers, not national averages.