EV vs Gasoline Car Lifetime Cost Comparison

Enter vehicle prices, annual mileage, expected ownership years, electricity and gasoline prices, and efficiency figures to compare the lifetime cost of an EV versus a gasoline car and find the break-even point.

Tips

  • A larger price gap between the two vehicles takes longer to recover, so it helps to re-run the calculation with a net price after subsidies (like EV purchase incentives) and negotiated discounts.
  • Catalog efficiency figures often differ from real-world driving conditions (city vs. highway ratio, temperature), so it is safer to use conservative estimates.
  • Vehicle tax and eco-friendly tax discounts vary by model year and municipality, so check the exact amount using the sister vehicle tax and environmental performance tax calculators.
  • The higher your annual mileage, the more the EV energy cost advantage compounds, which shortens the break-even period.
  • Setting a longer expected ownership period increases the chance of recovering the price difference.

Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on the price difference, mileage, electricity and gasoline prices, and ownership period, so there is no single answer. Enter your actual conditions into this tool to see whether the price difference can be recovered within your expected ownership period.

This happens when the combined annual savings from energy costs and tax discounts is zero or negative — for example, if electricity isn't sufficiently cheaper than gasoline, or your mileage is too low for meaningful annual savings.

The exact amount varies by model, model year, and municipality, so we recommend checking it individually using the sister vehicle tax and environmental performance tax calculator pages.

No, subsidies are not included. If you are eligible for a national or local EV purchase subsidy, subtract that amount from the EV price beforehand for a more realistic estimate.

Catalog figures are often measured under conditions that differ from real-world use, and real efficiency tends to drop with city driving or winter heater use. Where possible, use figures closer to your actual driving experience.
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Side Note — EV Value Goes Beyond Just "Breaking Even"

EVs typically cost more upfront than gasoline cars, but their per-kilometer energy cost tends to be lower, so the longer you keep one, the more likely you are to recover the price difference. This "years to break even" idea is the same kind of calculation used when deciding whether to install solar panels or switch to an all-electric home: weighing an upfront investment against ongoing savings.

That said, a simple break-even calculation like this one does not account for future changes in electricity or gasoline prices, the upfront cost of installing a home charger, or the gradual loss of range from battery degradation over time. This tool only offers a rough estimate based on today's prices and efficiency figures, so real-world decisions should also weigh your replacement cycle and charging environment.

Beyond the numbers, EVs offer benefits that are hard to put a price on, such as quieter driving, strong acceleration, and the ability to power appliances from the vehicle during a power outage. Treat the break-even comparison as just one piece of the decision, not the whole picture.

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