Fuel Savings Calculator 2026
Compare annual gas costs between two vehicles and see how long it takes to break even on a more fuel-efficient upgrade.
EV vs Hybrid vs Gas: Real Numbers
At $3.50/gallon and 15,000 miles/year: a 24 MPG gas car costs $2,188/year in fuel. A 40 MPG hybrid costs $1,313/year ($875 savings). A Tesla Model 3 at ~$0.04/mile in electricity costs about $600/year ($1,588 savings). The EV wins on fuel costs once the price premium is recovered.
The biggest variable: electricity cost. At $0.12/kWh, EVs are dramatically cheaper. At $0.30/kWh (California peak rates), the gap narrows significantly. Home charging at off-peak rates gives the best results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Annual fuel cost = (annual miles driven ÷ MPG) × price per gallon. Example: 12,000 miles/year ÷ 28 MPG × $3.50/gallon = $1,500/year. The national average is approximately 12,000–15,000 miles/year and $3.20–$3.80/gallon depending on region and fuel grade.
Break-even years = price premium of the efficient vehicle ÷ annual fuel savings. Example: if the new vehicle costs $3,000 more but saves $600/year in fuel, break-even is 5 years. Account for any difference in insurance, maintenance, and tax incentives (EVs may qualify for a $7,500 federal tax credit).
It depends on your driving. At 12,000 miles/year and $3.50/gallon: going from 25 to 26 MPG saves about $65/year. Going from 30 to 35 MPG saves about $200/year. The lower your starting MPG, the more each incremental MPG is worth.
A typical EV costs about $0.03–$0.05 per mile in electricity vs $0.12–$0.18 per mile for a gas car. On 12,000 miles/year, that's $1,080–$1,560 annual savings. Home charging off-peak rates reduce costs further. Federal and state EV incentives can significantly reduce the upfront premium.