You don’t buy a car to do math homework, but with gas vs electric cost, the numbers matter. Gas prices are easing off their pandemic highs, electricity isn’t exactly cheap in some states, and EVs still tend to cost more upfront. So in 2025, is an electric car actually cheaper to own and drive than a comparable gas car, or has the gap closed?
The short answer
For a typical U.S. driver putting 12,000 miles a year on the odometer, a mainstream EV charged mostly at home usually costs about half as much per mile to “fuel” as a similar gas car, and it often saves another $500–$900 a year on maintenance. The more you drive and the higher your local gas prices, the bigger the electric advantage.
How much does it cost to drive a mile on gas vs electric?
Typical 2025 per‑mile costs (U.S. averages)
Per‑mile cost is where the gas vs electric conversation should start, because it tells you how expensive each mile of commuting, school runs, and road trips really is. The basic formula is simple: for a gas car, you divide the price per gallon by miles per gallon. For an EV, you divide your electricity rate (per kWh) by the car’s miles per kWh.
Back‑of‑the‑envelope per‑mile cost math
National averages, rounded for simplicity. Your exact numbers will depend on your car and local energy prices.
| Vehicle type | Assumptions | Energy cost | Cost per mile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas compact/crossover | 30 mpg, regular gas | $3.30/gal | $0.11/mi |
| Gas SUV/pickup | 22 mpg, regular gas | $3.30/gal | $0.15/mi |
| Efficient EV (home charge) | 3.5 mi/kWh, $0.17/kWh | Residential rate | $0.05/mi |
| Less‑efficient EV (home charge) | 3.0 mi/kWh, $0.20/kWh | Higher‑cost power state | $0.07/mi |
| EV on public fast charging | 3.0 mi/kWh, $0.40/kWh | Typical DC fast‑charge rate | $0.13/mi |
These are ballpark 2025 numbers, meant to give you direction, not a penny‑perfect budget.
Per‑mile “gotcha”
If you live where electricity is unusually expensive (think high‑cost coastal states) and you fast‑charge often, an EV’s energy cost per mile can creep close to a very efficient hybrid on gas. The savings story is best when you can plug in at home regularly.
Gas vs electricity prices in 2025
Let’s ground this in today’s prices. In 2024, the U.S. average price for regular gasoline was about $3.30 per gallon, and 2025 has been tracking in the low‑$3 range so far. Meanwhile, March 2025 data from federal energy statistics puts the average U.S. residential electricity price around $0.17 per kWh. Both gasoline and electricity vary wildly by state, but these are useful national yardsticks.
Gasoline in 2025
- National average hovers around $3.10–$3.30/gal.
- Cheapest states can dip into the $2.60s; expensive coastal states spend well over $4.
- Prices move with global oil markets, refinery capacity, and seasonal demand.
Gas is volatile: you feel it instantly at every fill‑up.
Electricity in 2025
- Average residential rate in March 2025 was about 17¢/kWh.
- Low‑cost states may hover around 12–13¢/kWh; high‑cost states can exceed 30¢/kWh.
- Time‑of‑use plans can make overnight charging substantially cheaper.
Electricity prices change slowly and can be managed with smart charging habits.
Night owl advantage
If your utility offers time‑of‑use rates, plugging in after 9 or 10 p.m. can cut your EV’s fuel cost by a third or more. Your car doesn’t care when it charges; set a schedule in the app and let the cheap electrons flow.
Real‑world example: 12,000 miles a year
You don’t live on a spreadsheet; you drive to work, to Costco, to soccer practice. So let’s compare a very typical American driving pattern, 12,000 miles per year, in a mainstream gas crossover and a similar electric crossover.
Annual “fuel” cost: gas vs electric crossover
Assuming 12,000 miles/year and national average energy prices
Gas crossover
30 mpg on regular gas, 12,000 miles/year.
- Fuel used: 400 gallons
- Gas price: $3.30/gal
- Annual fuel cost: ~$1,320
EV (home charging)
3.3 mi/kWh, 12,000 miles/year.
- Energy used: ~3,636 kWh
- Home rate: $0.17/kWh
- Annual energy cost: ~$618
EV (half public fast‑charge)
50% home, 50% DC fast charging.
- Home half: ~$309/year
- DC half at $0.40/kWh: ~$728/year
- Total: ~$1,037/year
Takeaway from the math
If you can charge mostly at home, you’re looking at roughly $700 a year in fuel savings versus a similar gas crossover at today’s prices. Even with heavy fast‑charger use, an EV usually comes out ahead or at least stays competitive with gas.
Maintenance: Where electric cars really pull away
Fuel is just one line item. Over a few years, maintenance and repairs can quietly gut‑punch your total cost of ownership. Here, electric cars enjoy a structural advantage: fewer moving parts, no oil changes, no exhaust system, no multi‑speed transmission to nurse along.
Typical maintenance needs: gas vs electric
This isn’t every possible repair, just the greatest hits that show up in ownership cost comparisons.
| Item over 5 years | Gasoline car | Electric car |
|---|---|---|
| Oil changes | 3–4 a year at $60–$100 each | None |
| Brake pads/rotors | Higher wear, especially in city driving | Reduced wear thanks to regenerative braking |
| Transmission service | Fluid changes, possible repairs | No traditional multi‑speed automatic in most EVs |
| Engine‑related repairs | Belts, gaskets, sensors, emissions hardware | No engine, no emissions system |
| Cooling system | Radiator, hoses, water pump | Simpler thermal systems focused on battery/motors |
| Tires | Similar, though heavier EVs may wear slightly faster | Similar, budget an extra set over very long terms |
Real‑world costs vary by brand and model, but the categories are remarkably consistent.
What studies keep finding
Most third‑party cost‑of‑ownership analyses land in a similar place: an EV typically saves $500–$900 per year in maintenance and repairs versus a comparable gas model, especially once the vehicle is past its warranty’s honeymoon phase.
Why EVs usually win on maintenance
Fewer routine services
No oil or filter changes, spark plugs, timing belts, or emissions checks. Your regular visits are mostly tires, cabin filters, and brake inspections.
Regenerative braking protects hardware
Electric motors do much of the slowing down, turning motion back into energy. That means less heat, less dust, and fewer brake jobs.
Simpler drivetrains
With a single‑speed reduction gear instead of a complex transmission, there’s simply less that can wear out or fail over time.
Predictable service schedules
Many EV service intervals are longer and simpler, which makes it easier to budget and avoid surprise costs.
Home charging vs public fast charging costs
Think of home charging as buying fuel wholesale and public fast charging as buying it at an airport kiosk. They’re both useful, but one is clearly where you want to do most of your shopping.
Home charging: the sweet spot
- Uses your residential rate, often 12–20¢/kWh.
- Turn every night into a fill‑up; wake up with “a full tank.”
- Greatly lowers per‑mile cost vs gas.
If you have a garage or driveway and can install a Level 2 charger, this is where EV ownership shines.
Public fast charging: convenience tax
- Prices often in the 35–45¢/kWh range or higher.
- Great on road trips or in a pinch, but don’t treat it like your everyday gas station.
- Heavy DC‑fast use can narrow your savings vs gas.
If you rely on public charging 100% of the time, run the numbers carefully, especially in high‑electricity‑cost metro areas.
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Apartment‑dweller caution
If you can’t install home charging and your daily routine revolves around paid public stations, you may still save money with an EV, but the margin is slimmer. In that case, shop hard for low per‑kWh rates and choose an efficient EV, not just the quickest one off the line.
Upfront price, incentives, and financing
Sticker price is where many shoppers feel EV shock. New electric models often cost more than their gas siblings on paper, even before options. But incentives, fuel savings, and lower maintenance can tilt the balance quickly, especially in the used EV market, where earlier‑generation models have already absorbed the steepest depreciation.
Where the money shifts: gas vs electric
How upfront price, incentives, and financing play together
Upfront price
New EVs still often carry a premium over gas equivalents. Used EVs, by contrast, can be thousands less than a comparable late‑model gas car because early depreciation hits harder.
Incentives and tax credits
Federal and state incentives can trim the effective price of qualifying EVs. Some utilities also offer rebates on home chargers or cheaper EV‑only overnight rates.
Financing and total cost
A slightly higher monthly payment for an EV can be more than offset by lower fuel and maintenance costs. Look at the full monthly picture, not just the sticker.
Let the payment tell the truth
When you’re cross‑shopping a gas car and an EV, compare monthly all‑in cost: payment, insurance, plus a realistic estimate of your fuel or charging bill. That’s closer to what you actually feel in your bank account.
Resale value, battery health, and depreciation
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: depreciation is usually the single biggest cost of owning any car, gas or electric. EVs complicate the picture because buyers are understandably wary of battery replacement costs and future‑proofing. The good news is that modern battery packs are aging better than many early skeptics predicted; the bad news is that not all EVs are created equal.
Key questions about EV resale and battery health
How has the battery been treated?
Frequent fast‑charging, extreme heat, and constant 100% charging can accelerate degradation. A gentle life on a Level 2 charger at home is ideal.
What’s the current battery health?
You want data, not vibes. Tools like the <strong>Recharged Score</strong> measure real battery capacity so you can see how much range the pack still delivers.
What’s the warranty situation?
Most EVs carry separate battery warranties, commonly 8 years or around 100,000 miles. Knowing how much is left can change the math on a used EV dramatically.
How is the market viewing this model?
Some EVs retain value exceptionally well; others are caught between generations of tech. Be realistic about demand in the used market three to five years out.
How Recharged helps here
Every vehicle on Recharged comes with a Recharged Score Report that includes verified battery health and fair‑market pricing. That takes the biggest unknown in EV ownership, battery condition, and turns it into a number you can actually budget around.
Who actually saves the most by going electric?
The answer is not "everyone, always." Electric isn’t magic; it’s math. Certain drivers and situations are tailor‑made for EV savings, while others are more borderline.
Profiles: Where EVs win big, and where they don’t
Four common ownership scenarios in 2025
Suburban commuter with home charging
Drives 12–15k miles/year, has a garage.
This is the EV sweet spot. Home charging + steady mileage = strong fuel and maintenance savings that usually outweigh any price premium quickly.
Apartment dweller without dedicated parking
Relies heavily on public charging.
Still workable, but you must pay attention to public charging rates. A very efficient hybrid on gas might be cost‑competitive if DC rates are high where you live.
High‑mileage driver or rideshare
20–30k miles/year or more.
The more you drive, the more each cent per mile matters. Many high‑milers see EVs pay back any price premium in just a few years.
Occasional driver with long trips
Few miles, mostly road trips.
If you only drive 6–8k miles a year but take long highway journeys, fuel savings are smaller, and charging convenience may matter more than pure cost.
How to run your own gas vs electric cost math
The national averages are helpful, but your life happens in a specific ZIP code, on specific roads, under a specific utility company. Fortunately, you can get to a personal answer in about ten minutes with a notepad, or a spreadsheet if you’re that person.
DIY gas vs electric cost comparison
1. Write down your annual mileage
Pull it from service records, your insurance renewal, or your car’s trip computer. If you guess, err high. Most Americans land around 12,000 miles a year.
2. Find your local gas price and electricity rate
Use your usual gas station price and the cents‑per‑kWh listed on your utility bill. If you have or can get off‑peak EV rates, note those separately.
3. Plug in realistic efficiency numbers
For gas, use your car’s real‑world mpg, not the optimistic window sticker. For EVs, 3.0–3.5 mi/kWh is a safe starting point for crossovers; sedans can be higher.
4. Calculate annual fuel/charging cost
Multiply miles/year by cost per mile for gas and electric. Then add in a realistic estimate for annual maintenance based on what you’ve actually spent before.
5. Compare full monthly cost, not just fuel
Fold in your estimated payment, insurance, and energy/maintenance. A used EV with a slightly higher payment can still be cheaper per month than a newer gas car once you account for fuel and service.
6. If you’re shopping used, demand battery data
A vehicle‑specific battery health report, like the one in every <strong>Recharged Score Report</strong>, turns "what if the battery is bad?" into a clear yes/no you can price into your decision.
Gas vs electric cost: FAQ
Frequently asked questions about gas vs electric cost
Bottom line: Is electric really cheaper than gas?
In 2025, the smartest way to think about gas vs electric cost is not "Which fuel is better?" but "Which setup makes the most sense for my life?" If you have access to home charging, drive a normal or high annual mileage, and choose a reasonably efficient EV, the numbers usually fall in your favor, less spent per mile, fewer service visits, and less vulnerability to oil‑price drama. In that world, gasoline starts to look like a luxury convenience you’re happy to leave behind.
If, on the other hand, you live entirely on public charging, barely drive, or simply can’t stomach the idea of planning DC fast‑charge stops on road trips, the cost equation is closer, and a well‑chosen gas car or hybrid can still be rational. The key is to run your own numbers honestly, with your own energy prices and driving patterns.
And if you’re leaning toward electric but wary of the unknowns, especially battery health and resale, a used EV with transparent diagnostics can be the sweet spot. That’s exactly what Recharged was built for: verified battery health, fair market pricing, expert EV‑specialist support, and simple nationwide delivery. The tech has matured. The costs are clearer than ever. Now the question is whether you’re ready for your fuel budget to calm down.
