Compare cost per mile, then multiply by the miles you drive: gasoline cost per mile is your local price per gallon divided by the car’s MPG; EV electricity cost per mile is its kWh per 100 miles divided by 100, multiplied by your effective electricity price per kWh. Subtract the EV figure from the gas-car figure. If the result is positive, the EV costs less to fuel for those inputs; if negative, it costs more. This is a fuel-only calculation, not a verdict on total ownership cost.
Use this formula for a fuel-cost comparison
Use the vehicles you are actually considering: the EV and the gasoline car you would otherwise drive or buy. Avoid comparing the EV with an unrelated national-average vehicle.
- Gasoline cost per mile: local gasoline price per gallon ÷ gasoline-car MPG.
- EV electricity cost per mile: EV consumption in kWh per 100 miles ÷ 100 × electricity price per kWh.
- EV fuel savings per mile: gasoline cost per mile − EV electricity cost per mile.
- Annual fuel savings: savings per mile × annual miles driven.
Use consistent units and keep enough decimal places while calculating; round only the final result. A negative annual result means the EV’s energy costs more under the assumptions entered.
Choose efficiency figures that match the vehicles
For the EV, use kWh per 100 miles
Use the combined kWh/100 miles figure from the EPA vehicle label or an equivalent official specification. EPA explains that, unlike MPG, consumption relates directly to electricity used and therefore to electricity expenditures. MPGe is useful for comparing energy efficiency across technologies, but kWh/100 miles is the direct input for calculating an electricity bill. EPA’s interactive electric-vehicle label explains these measures.
#1 Best Overall
- Flex Level 1 EV Charger - The EVDANCE Level 1 electric car charger is compatible with J1772 electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles (North American Standard). *Tesla requires a SAE J1772 adapter.
- Convenient to Use - This charger has both NEMA 6-20 plug for 16A 240V charging (3.68kW, 10-12 mi/h) and a NEMA 6-20 to 5-15 plug adapter for 12A 120V charging (1.44kW, 2-5 mi/h). The included bag makes it easier to carry on the go. It also has a 25ft cable length, you can use it flexibly from anywhere in the garage or driveway.
- Check Your Outlet Type -This charger works with standard 120V NEMA 5-15/5-20 outlets (2-5 mph charging speed) and 240V NEMA 6-20 outlets (10-12 mph) . It's not compatible with NEMA 6-15/10-30/14-30/14-50/6-50 outlets – you'll need a NEMA 14-50/14-30/10-30/6-50 to 6-20 adapter (sold separately) to connect.
- Compatible EV Models -This EV charger works with most major electric vehicles, including Ford, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Audi, Nissan Ariya, Rivian R1S, Kia, and others. However, it's not compatible with Mini Cooper Electric Hardtop,Toyota Prus Prime/Z4X/RAV4Prime, Porsche Taycan Base/4S/Turbo/Turbo S or Tesla models (Tesla requires a J1772 to Tesla Adapter, sold separately). For a full list of compatible models, check out the Full Compatibility List on our product page.
- Indication Displays - LED display that can tell you the status as well as indicate errors while charging your electric vehicle.
For the gasoline car, use representative MPG
Use an MPG figure that reflects the vehicle and your expected driving. A combined figure is a reasonable starting point; refine it for your city/highway mix or observed real-world use when available. Small efficiency differences matter because the gasoline cost per mile is divided by MPG.
For a hybrid or plug-in hybrid, account for both fuels
A conventional hybrid uses gasoline, while a plug-in hybrid can use electricity for some driving and gasoline for the rest. Do not treat a plug-in hybrid as a fully electric vehicle: estimate electric and gasoline miles separately, then add their costs. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center calculator can compare conventional vehicles, hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and battery-electric vehicles. AFDC Vehicle Cost Calculator
Use your actual energy prices and charging mix
Enter the price you pay at the pump and the effective electricity price for charging. Electricity rates may include delivery charges and can vary by time of use; use the rate that applies when and where you charge. Home charging and public charging may have different prices. AFDC notes that most EV charging is typically done at home and that public charging normally costs more, though actual rates vary. AFDC Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
If you charge in more than one setting, calculate the electricity cost for each portion separately and combine them according to the share of charging in each setting. For example, if you know the share of energy from home and public charging, multiply each rate by its share and add those amounts to get an energy-weighted average. Do not use a home-only rate if you expect to rely substantially on public charging.
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Rank #2
- Charge with Confidence: ChargePoint builds reliable, flexible EV charging stations for home, business, and fleets. Get 24/7 support and access to hundreds of thousands of North American charging locations.
- Charge Smart: With the user-friendly ChargePoint Mobile App, you can control your electric car charger, manage reminders, connect to smart home devices, find stations, get data and charging info, and access the latest features. Note: WiFi is needed for certain functionalities and troubleshooting steps if connectivity issues arise.
- Vast Network: Wherever you go, ChargePoint’s network includes 274k+ stations across North America and Europe and 565k+ roaming partner stations.
- Safe & Durable: Rely on this UL-certified EV charger for safe home charging. It can be installed indoors or outdoors by an electrician and includes a cold-resistant cable.
- Fast & Powerful: This EV charger charges 9× faster than a 120V outlet, delivering up to 45 mi/hr., dependent upon your vehicle. It features a J1772 connector for all non-Tesla EVs and requires a 20A or 80A circuit. For Tesla EVs, this will require an adapter.
For a U.S. estimate that accounts for public charging, Argonne’s Fuel Cost Comparison Calculator accepts residential electricity price, public charging price, and public-charging share along with location, mileage, and vehicle choices. Argonne lists the calculator as last updated August 5, 2026; its defaults are not a personal savings estimate until you enter applicable values.
Work through an example
Suppose gasoline costs $3.50 per gallon, the gas car gets 30 MPG, the EV uses 30 kWh/100 miles, and electricity costs $0.15 per kWh. These are illustrative inputs, not a forecast or published average.
- Gas car: $3.50 ÷ 30 = about $0.117 per mile.
- EV: 30 ÷ 100 × $0.15 = $0.045 per mile.
- Difference: about $0.072 per mile in favor of the EV.
- At 12,000 miles per year: $0.072 × 12,000 = about $864 in annual fuel-cost savings.
Replace each input with the prices, mileage, and vehicle efficiencies that apply to you. This result excludes purchase and charging-equipment costs.
Find the electricity price where the comparison breaks even
You can also solve for the electricity rate at which the EV and gas car cost the same per mile:
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsRank #3
- ✅【Fast and Efficient Charging】 The eTimxon level 2 EV charger is equipped with NEMA 6-20 Plug, supports 240V, 16A, 3.84kW output current, approximately 4x faster than 8A level 1 ev chargers, shorten the electric vehicle charging time,so you can quickly get back on the road. Perfect for those early morning commutes, last-minute errands, or spontaneous weekend getaways—your car will be charged and ready to go when you are.
- ✅【Charge anywhere & anytime】Designed for maximum flexibility, eTimxon Level 1 & 2 EV charger features both NEMA 5-15 and 6-20 plug compatibility. Whether you're charging in your garage, at a friend's house, or at a roadside motel. NEMA 6-20 plug for Level 2 ev charging (240V, 16A, 3.84kW) and a NEMA 5-15 adapter for Level 1 ev charging (120V, 12A, 1.44kW) NOTE: In compliance with North American electrical safety standards, when use NEMA 5-15 Plug, you need to adjust the Current to 12A by manual to protecting both your vehicle and your home’s electrical system
- ✅【Dual-Level Charging】This portable J1772 ev charger offers true dual-level compatibility. For Level 2 fast charging (240V), it comes with a fixed NEMA 6-20 plug which must be used with a dedicated NEMA 6-20 outlet. For Level 1 charging (120V), it includes a NEMA 5-15 adapter that plugs into a standard 3-prong household outlet (NEMA 5-15 receptacle).Before You Order: Please verify you have the correct outlet
- ✅【Before Make Order】 1. This Mobile charging cable includes a fixed NEMA 6-20 plug and a NEMA 5-15 adapter. You must have access to the corresponding outlet type for the charger to work. Please confirm your outlet type before purchasing 2. You can set the current and delay time before plug in the charger into your car . 3. For an 87kWh battery pack, using the NEMA 6-20 plug (240V, Level 2) delivers a full charge in approximately 22.4 hours, while using the NEMA 5-15 adapter (120V, Level 1) takes over 60 hours for a full charge. Actual charging speed depends on your vehicle and circuit
- ✅【Multiple protection】 When the charging temperature exceeds 158°F, our EV charging station will activate the protection function and reduce the charging power. If the temperature remains too high, charging will be temporarily suspended. once the temperature back to normal, charging will automatically resume. perfect to protect your device and car at any time.
Break-even electricity price per kWh = (100 ÷ EV kWh/100 miles) × (gasoline price per gallon ÷ gas-car MPG).
For the example’s 30 kWh/100-mile EV and 30-MPG gas car at $3.50 per gallon, the break-even rate is about $0.389/kWh. Below that rate, the EV has the lower fuel cost per mile for those assumed vehicles; above it, the gas car does. The threshold changes whenever the vehicle efficiencies or gasoline price change.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Keep fuel savings separate from total ownership cost
Lower energy cost per mile does not by itself mean an EV is cheaper overall. A full ownership comparison also needs purchase price, incentives that apply to you, financing, insurance, maintenance, and any home-charging equipment or installation. DOE’s AFDC Vehicle Cost Calculator is intended for total vehicle-cost comparisons, while its consumer information notes that EV purchase prices can be higher and charging equipment and installation may add costs. AFDC Electric Vehicles for Consumers
A Level 2 home charger is optional, not a prerequisite for this fuel calculation or for every EV owner. DOE says EVs typically include a Level 1 cordset. For readers considering Level 2 home charging, AFDC lists typical equipment costs of $500–$4,000 before installation and incentives; check vehicle compatibility and local installation requirements. Treat equipment and installation as separate costs rather than silently folding them into fuel savings. AFDC Electric Vehicles for Consumers
Rank #4
- SAE J1772 Standard Charger: Compatible with all North American electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, including Ford, Chevrolet, Nissan, BMW, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Kia, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Rivian, Porsche, Toyota, Honda, Jeep, and GMC. Tesla vehicles can be charged with a separate SAE J1772 adapter (sold separately).
- Adjustable Current: Choose from 8A, 10A, 13A, or 16A to match your vehicle’s charging needs.Dual Plug Compatibility,NEMA 6-20 Plug (220/240V): Delivers up to 3.84 kW/h, providing approximately 15.36 MPH charging speed at 16A.NEMA 5-15 Plug (110/120V): Supports 10A charging at 120V, offering 1.2 kW/h (around 4.4 MPH). Customizable Charging: Easily adjust current to suit different charging scenarios, giving you maximum flexibility at home or on the go
- Hassle-Free Installation: Forget complicated setups—just plug in and go. Equipped with NEMA 5-15 and NEMA 6-20 (220V/240V) connectors, it works with any standard 110V–240V outlet. The 25-foot cable gives you the freedom to reach vehicles parked at a distance, making charging convenient anywhere.
- Intelligent Charging: Featuring a 2.8-inch touch display, you can easily select the charging current (8A / 10A / 13A / 16A) and schedule charging with a 1–12 hour delayed start. Perfect for maximizing off-peak hours and cutting electricity costs. (Example: Set a 2-hour delay, and charging begins automatically after 2 hours.)
- Comprehensive Safety: Designed to meet CE and FCC safety standards, this charger offers multiple layers of protection, including overvoltage, overload, short-circuit, grounding, and leakage safeguards. The durable IP65-rated waterproof housing and reinforced cable ensure reliable charging in all weather conditions, keeping your vehicle safe year-round.
Use published examples carefully
AFDC’s consumer page lists annual fuel-cost examples for 2023 models: $1,100 for the Kia Niro Hybrid, $850 for the Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid, and $650 for the Kia Niro Electric; it also lists $650 for the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt and $750 for the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E RWD. These are historical model examples based on FuelEconomy.gov and the AFDC Vehicle Cost Calculator, not current quotes or universal savings. AFDC Electric Vehicles for Consumers
The same AFDC page uses an electricity price of 12.3 cents/kWh to illustrate that adding 100 miles of range costs $2.46, and says an EV traveling 15,000 miles in a year would use around 5,000 kWh. Those are source examples and assumptions, not a current rate or a guarantee for a particular vehicle or driver. AFDC Electric Vehicles for Consumers
Recalculate when your inputs change
There is no single savings figure that applies to every driver. Gasoline and electricity prices, vehicle consumption, charging location, and annual mileage all affect the result. For a U.S. estimate, enter your own vehicle specifications, fuel prices, driving pattern, and state electricity inputs in the AFDC Vehicle Cost Calculator, or use Argonne’s calculator when you want to specify the home/public charging mix. Recheck local rates and the exact vehicles under consideration rather than relying on dated example costs.
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