If you’re trying to decide between an electric car and a gas car, the most useful number isn’t miles per gallon or battery size. It’s cost per mile, how much money actually leaves your wallet every time you drive a mile. In 2025, the cost per mile for electric cars vs gas cars has never been more important, especially with volatile fuel prices and more used EVs hitting the market.
Quick takeaway
For many U.S. drivers charging mostly at home, a mainstream electric car often costs around half as much per mile to power as a comparable gas car, and the gap widens when you factor in maintenance.
Why cost per mile matters more than mpg
Automakers love advertising big numbers, 400-mile range, 35 mpg, 300-hp engines. But none of that tells you what you really care about: how much it costs you to drive. Cost per mile cuts through the hype and gives you a clean apples-to-apples comparison between an electric car and a gas car, whether new or used.
- It combines energy price and efficiency into one number you can compare across vehicles.
- It’s easy to track over time as your electricity or gas price changes.
- It lets you estimate real monthly costs based on your actual driving, not marketing claims.
- It’s a better lens for comparing a used EV against the gasoline car you drive today.
Rule of thumb
If you know your annual miles, multiplying cost per mile by that number gives you a quick estimate of your yearly fuel or charging bill. For many households driving 12,000–15,000 miles a year, small differences add up to thousands over a few years.
How to calculate cost per mile for EVs and gas cars
The good news: the math is simple. You can calculate your own numbers in a couple of minutes with a recent utility bill or gas receipt. Here are the basic formulas.
Core formulas: EV vs gas
Plug in your own electricity and gas prices to personalize these numbers.
Electric car cost per mile
Step 1: Find your electricity price on your power bill (for example, $0.13 per kWh).
Step 2: Find or estimate your EV efficiency in kWh per 100 miles (for example, 28 kWh/100 mi) or miles per kWh.
Formula:
- Cost per mile = (Electricity price × kWh per 100 miles) ÷ 100
Example: $0.13 × 28 ÷ 100 ≈ $0.036 per mile (3.6 cents per mile).
Gas car cost per mile
Step 1: Use your actual mpg (or sticker estimate) as a starting point.
Step 2: Use your local fuel price (for example, $3.50 per gallon).
Formula:
- Cost per mile = Gas price ÷ Miles per gallon
Example: $3.50 ÷ 30 mpg ≈ $0.12 per mile (12 cents per mile).
Watch out for averages
EPA efficiency ratings (for both EVs and gas cars) are a good starting point, but your real-world cost per mile will vary with driving style, speed, temperature, and how much time you spend on the highway vs in the city.
Typical cost per mile: electric vs gas in 2025
Costs vary by state, but we can sketch reasonable 2025 ballparks for a U.S. driver who charges mostly at home and drives a conventional gas sedan for comparison. Use these as starting points and then plug in your own numbers.
Ballpark 2025 cost per mile: EV vs gas
Illustrative example using moderate energy prices and typical efficiency for compact/midsize vehicles.
| Scenario | Key assumptions | Energy cost per mile |
|---|---|---|
| Electric car – home charging | 13¢/kWh, 28 kWh/100 mi (≈3.6 mi/kWh) | ≈ 3.6¢/mi |
| Electric car – mix of home + some public Level 2 | Blend of 13–30¢/kWh effective cost | ≈ 4–6¢/mi |
| Electric car – frequent DC fast charging | Effective 35–45¢/kWh at many public fast chargers | ≈ 10–13¢/mi |
| Gas car – efficient compact | $3.50/gal, 35 mpg | ≈ 10¢/mi |
| Gas car – typical midsize crossover | $3.50/gal, 28 mpg | ≈ 12.5¢/mi |
| Gas SUV or pickup | $3.50/gal, 20 mpg | ≈ 17.5¢/mi |
Your actual numbers will depend on your local electricity and gas prices.
The basic pattern
If you charge mainly at home, an EV often costs about half as much per mile to power as an efficient gas car, and far less than a thirsty SUV or truck. Relying on fast charging narrows or even erases that advantage.
What 10,000 miles per year looks like
Beyond fuel: maintenance and repairs per mile
Energy isn’t the only cost that shows up per mile. Over the long haul, maintenance and repairs have a major impact on what you really pay to drive. Here, electric cars have a structural advantage.
Why EVs tend to cost less to maintain
- No oil changes – You avoid 2–3 oil changes a year, plus associated filters.
- Fewer moving parts – No complex multi-speed transmission, exhaust system, or engine ancillaries.
- Regenerative braking – EVs use the motor to slow the car, so brake pads often last significantly longer.
- Simpler routine visits – Many services boil down to tire rotations, cabin air filters, and inspections.
Where gas cars rack up costs
- Regular fluids – Oil, transmission fluid, coolant, and more over the life of the car.
- Wear items – Exhaust components, timing belts/chains, spark plugs, fuel system service.
- Heat & complexity – High under-hood temperatures and many moving parts mean more potential failure points.
- Brake wear – Without regen, pads and rotors typically need replacement more often.
Big picture on upkeep
Study after study has found that, on average, EV drivers spend less per mile on maintenance and repairs than owners of comparable gas vehicles, especially once the vehicle is a few years old. The big wild card for EVs is battery health, a subject we’ll come back to in the used-EV section.
Charging: where you plug in changes your cost
With a gas car, your cost per mile changes a little from station to station. With an EV, it can change a lot depending on where, and when, you charge. Understanding this is key to getting the best deal per mile from an electric car.
How charging location affects cost per mile
Same car, very different results depending on where you plug in.
Home charging
This is where EVs shine.
- Typical rate: Many U.S. households pay around 12–18¢/kWh.
- Best case: Off-peak EV rates or time-of-use plans can be even lower.
- Cost per mile: Often in the 3–5¢/mi range for efficient EVs.
Public Level 2
Cost and billing models vary.
- Some are free (workplaces, hotels, shopping centers).
- Others bill per kWh, per hour, or a flat session fee.
- Effective cost per mile can still be low, but you need to watch rates.
DC fast charging
Great for road trips, not for every kWh.
- Pricing can be comparable to or higher than gas per mile.
- Useful as a backup, but relying on it every day erodes your savings.
- Best strategy: use DC fast chargers mainly for long highway trips.
If you can’t charge at home
If you’ll depend on high-priced public charging every day, your EV cost per mile may be similar to, or in some cases higher than, a very efficient gas car. In that situation, focus on workplace charging, lower-cost public Level 2 networks, or a future opportunity to add home charging before you purchase.
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Real‑world examples with common vehicles
Let’s walk through simplified examples using familiar segments so you can see the spread in real dollars. These are illustrative, not tied to one specific model, but they mirror what many drivers see in the real world.
Illustrative examples: compact car vs compact EV
Assumes 10,000 miles/year, moderate U.S. energy prices, and mostly home charging for the EV.
| Vehicle type | Assumptions | Energy cost per mile | Annual energy cost (10k mi) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact gas sedan | 32 mpg, $3.50/gal | ≈ 10.9¢/mi | ≈ $1,090 |
| Compact electric hatchback – mostly home charging | 30 kWh/100 mi (≈3.3 mi/kWh), 13¢/kWh | ≈ 3.9¢/mi | ≈ $390 |
| Compact electric hatchback – heavy DC fast charging | Same efficiency, effective 40¢/kWh | ≈ 12¢/mi | ≈ $1,200 |
Your numbers will differ; these examples show relative relationships, not exact forecasts.
Now let’s look at a popular scenario many shoppers are in today: comparing a used compact or midsize gas SUV to a similar-sized EV.
Illustrative examples: small SUV vs small electric crossover
Again assuming 10,000 miles/year and moderate energy prices.
| Vehicle type | Assumptions | Energy cost per mile | Annual energy cost (10k mi) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas small SUV | 27 mpg, $3.50/gal | ≈ 13¢/mi | ≈ $1,300 |
| Electric small crossover – home charging | 31 kWh/100 mi (≈3.2 mi/kWh), 13¢/kWh | ≈ 4.0–4.1¢/mi | ≈ $400 |
| Electric small crossover – mix of home + public L2 | Blended effective 20¢/kWh | ≈ 6.2¢/mi | ≈ $620 |
These examples focus only on energy; the maintenance gap widens the EV advantage over time.
Reading the table
In realistic scenarios where you can plug in at home, an EV frequently cuts your energy bill by $600–$900 per year compared with a similar gas SUV. Over a 5-year ownership cycle, that’s several thousand dollars in fuel savings alone, before you account for typically lower maintenance.
Used EVs: how cost per mile gets even better
New EV prices still sit above many gas models, but the used market is where electric really starts to shine. When you buy a used EV that has already taken the initial depreciation hit, you combine a lower purchase price with low energy and maintenance costs. That’s where cost per mile can become genuinely compelling.
Why used EVs often win on cost per mile
Lower purchase price plus low running costs is a powerful combination.
Lower upfront price
Many 3–6‑year‑old EVs now trade at prices comparable to (or lower than) similar gas cars. That means you’re spreading your purchase cost over the same or fewer dollars while enjoying cheaper energy per mile.
Battery transparency with diagnostics
The key question with any used EV is battery health. Recharged addresses this with a Recharged Score Report that includes verified battery diagnostics, so you can see how much usable capacity is left before you buy.
How Recharged can help
Every vehicle on Recharged comes with a Recharged Score Report that covers battery health, fair market pricing, and an overall condition score. That makes it much easier to estimate your real cost per mile on a used EV versus your current gas car.
Because used EVs are often financed at competitive rates, you can also roll that lower energy cost into a monthly budget view: payment + electricity + insurance vs payment + gas + maintenance on your existing vehicle. This is exactly the kind of side‑by‑side analysis Recharged’s EV specialists walk shoppers through every day.
How to lower your EV cost per mile
If you’ve already decided an EV makes sense, or you’re close, there are several levers you can pull to push your cost per mile even lower. Think of them as tools to stack the deck in your favor.
Practical steps to minimize EV cost per mile
1. Prioritize home charging
If possible, install at least a Level 2 (240‑volt) charging solution at home. Spreading installation cost over years of driving, the lower per‑kWh rate you pay at home is usually worth it.
2. Use time-of-use or EV rates
Ask your utility about off‑peak or dedicated EV plans. Shifting most of your charging to cheaper overnight hours can cut your cost per mile significantly.
3. Treat DC fast charging as a backup
Use highway fast chargers for road trips and occasional needs, but avoid using them as your primary “fueling” strategy if you care about cost per mile.
4. Keep tires properly inflated
Under‑inflated tires hurt efficiency in both EVs and gas cars. A quick pressure check every month or two keeps rolling resistance (and cost per mile) down.
5. Drive smoothly and at moderate speeds
Aggressive acceleration and high freeway speeds sap efficiency. Smooth driving and reasonable cruising speeds benefit both EV and gas owners.
6. Buy the right-size battery
If you rarely drive more than 60–80 miles in a day, a modest battery can give you comfortable range without extra upfront cost and weight you don’t regularly use.
What can push EV costs up
Frequent high‑priced fast charging, oversized performance models with very large batteries, and heavy use at sustained high speeds can all raise your cost per mile. Make sure the EV you’re considering fits your real daily driving needs, not just your “once a year” road trip.
Frequently asked questions: EV vs gas cost per mile
EV vs gas cost per mile – common questions
Bottom line: should your next car be electric?
When you focus on cost per mile for electric car vs gas car, the picture becomes clearer. For many U.S. drivers with the ability to charge at home, an EV delivers substantially lower energy costs per mile and reduced maintenance, especially if you choose a reasonably efficient model and avoid living on fast chargers.
Where electric truly shines is in the used market: a sensibly priced used EV with a healthy battery can combine low monthly payments with low running costs, producing a compelling total cost per mile. The key is transparency, knowing what you’re getting so there are no surprises down the road.
If you’re ready to put real numbers to your own situation, explore used EVs on Recharged. Every vehicle includes a Recharged Score Report, expert EV guidance, financing options, trade‑in support, and even nationwide delivery. That way, you’re not just guessing that an EV is cheaper per mile, you’re making a confident, informed decision built on real data.
