Loading…

How this EV vs gas cost calculator works

This calculator compares what you pay to drive an EV against a gas, petrol, or diesel car using local electricity prices, fuel prices, vehicle efficiency, and charging-loss assumptions. It is built for quick side-by-side comparisons in miles or kilometers.

If you want the bigger financial picture, use the ownership calculator. If you want to understand wall-to-battery losses before entering numbers, read the EV charging losses guide.

What changes the result most

  • Home charging versus public fast charging
  • Electricity price at the time you charge
  • Real-world EV efficiency, not brochure numbers
  • Charging losses, especially in cold weather
  • Fuel economy and local gas, petrol, or diesel prices

When to trust the output

The comparison is most useful when you use your own tariff, your own driving distance, and realistic efficiency numbers. Public charging, winter driving, and high-speed motorway use can move the result more than people expect.

Common fuel-cost questions

Is an EV always cheaper to run than a gas car?

No. EVs are usually cheaper when you charge at home with sensible electricity rates. If you rely on expensive public charging, the gap can shrink a lot or disappear.

Should I include charging losses?

Usually yes. A practical estimate is around 5-15% depending on the charger, weather, and car. That is why this tool includes a charging-loss input instead of assuming battery energy equals wall energy.

Can I compare gas, petrol, and diesel on the same page?

Yes. The tool is meant for cross-market comparisons, so you can switch locale, units, and prices without needing a different calculator for each fuel type.