🔋 EV Savings Calculator
Compare a gas car and an electric vehicle over the same yearly miles to see how much you'd save on fuel and how much CO2 you'd avoid — using your own prices, efficiency, and local grid intensity.
🔋 Gas vs EV, Side by Side
What is an EV Savings Calculator?
Switching to an electric vehicle changes both what you spend on fuel and how much carbon your driving releases. This calculator puts the two side by side: it estimates the annual gasoline cost and CO2 of a conventional car, and the annual electricity cost and grid emissions of an EV covering the same miles, then shows the difference.
Because everything hinges on local prices and your grid's carbon intensity, the tool uses your own figures rather than a one-size-fits-all estimate. Use it to decide whether an EV pays off for your driving, and how much cleaner it would be where you live. Results are planning estimates for running costs and operating emissions.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How does the EV savings calculator work?
It works out how many gallons your gas car would burn over your annual miles (miles ÷ MPG), then multiplies by your gas price and by 8.89 kg CO2 per gallon. For the EV it divides your miles by its efficiency in miles per kWh to get electricity used, then multiplies by your electricity price and by your grid's carbon intensity. The difference is your yearly fuel-cost savings and CO2 reduction.
Are electric cars really cheaper to run?
In most places, yes. Electricity delivers far more miles per dollar than gasoline, so per-mile fuel costs are typically half or less. Actual savings depend on your local electricity and gas prices, how efficient each vehicle is, and how much you drive — this tool lets you plug in your own numbers rather than relying on a national average.
Do EVs cut emissions even on a fossil-fuel grid?
Usually. Because electric motors are far more efficient than combustion engines, an EV often emits less CO2 per mile than a gas car even where the grid still burns some fossil fuels. The cleaner your grid — more wind, solar, hydro, or nuclear — the larger the gap. Enter your grid's carbon intensity to see the effect for your region.
Does this include the emissions from making the car or battery?
No. This tool compares operating fuel cost and tailpipe-versus-grid emissions only, not the manufacturing footprint of building either vehicle. EVs start with a higher production footprint, largely from the battery, but typically make it up within a couple of years of driving. Treat the results as a running-cost comparison.