Compare the vehicles’ fuel costs per mile using your local gas and electricity prices, then multiply the difference by how far you drive each year. An EV costs less to fuel when its electricity cost per mile is below the gasoline car’s fuel cost per mile. That answers the fuel question—not whether the EV will cost less to own overall.
Calculate each vehicle’s cost per mile
Use the gasoline vehicle you would actually drive or buy as the comparison, rather than an unrelated average. For the EV, use its combined electricity consumption in kilowatt-hours per 100 miles (kWh/100 mi). For the gas car, use a representative miles-per-gallon (MPG) figure. Official EPA vehicle information is one source for EV consumption figures; EPA explains that consumption “relates directly to the amount of electricity used, and thus to expenditures on electricity” (EPA vehicle information; EPA electric vehicle label).
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- Gasoline cost per mile = local gasoline price per gallon ÷ gas-car MPG.
- EV electricity cost per mile = (EV kWh/100 mi ÷ 100) × electricity price per kWh.
- EV fuel savings per mile = gasoline cost per mile − EV electricity cost per mile.
- Annual fuel savings = fuel savings per mile × annual miles driven.
A positive difference means the EV is cheaper to fuel under those assumptions; a negative result means it is more expensive. MPGe can help compare energy efficiency across vehicle types, but kWh/100 mi is the direct input for estimating an EV’s electricity cost.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsUse the prices and charging mix you will actually pay
Use your local gas price and the electricity price that applies when you charge. Include relevant delivery charges and time-of-use rates where they affect the per-kWh cost. Home and public charging may have different prices; public charging can cost more than home charging, so a home-only rate may overstate savings if you rely on public stations. The U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) says most EV charging is typically done at home, but your own mix matters (AFDC electric vehicles for consumers; AFDC electricity infrastructure).
#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.
If you charge in more than one setting, calculate the cost for each portion of your driving and add the results, or use an energy-weighted average electricity rate. Do not simply average the home and public rates unless you use the same amount of electricity at each rate. Argonne’s Fuel Cost Comparison Calculator includes separate residential and public electricity prices and a public-charging share input (Argonne Fuel Cost Comparison Calculator).
Worked example: turn a per-mile difference into a yearly estimate
Suppose gasoline costs $3.50 per gallon, the gas car gets 30 MPG, the EV uses 30 kWh/100 mi, and electricity costs $0.15 per kWh. These are illustrative inputs, not a forecast or a published average.
- Gas car: $3.50 ÷ 30 = about $0.117 per mile.
- EV: (30 ÷ 100) × $0.15 = $0.045 per mile.
- Difference: about $0.117 − $0.045 = $0.072 per mile.
- At 12,000 miles per year: $0.072 × 12,000 = about $864 in annual fuel-cost savings.
Replace every input with the rates and vehicles relevant to you. Small changes in energy prices, vehicle efficiency, or charging mix can change the result.
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.
Find the electricity price where the EV breaks even
You can also ask how expensive electricity would have to be for the two vehicles to have the same energy cost per mile. With the example vehicles above—a 30-kWh/100-mi EV and a 30-MPG car—and gasoline at $3.50 per gallon, the break-even electricity price is about $0.389 per kWh. Below that price, the EV has the lower fuel cost per mile; above it, the gas car does, given those assumptions.
For your vehicles, calculate the threshold as: (EV kWh/100 mi ÷ 100) electricity units per mile inverted through the equality, or more simply, break-even electricity price per kWh = (gasoline price per gallon ÷ gas-car MPG) ÷ (EV kWh/100 mi ÷ 100). This threshold changes with the gas price and both vehicles’ efficiency.
Compare hybrids and plug-in hybrids on their actual use
If you are deciding among more than an EV and a gasoline car, include a conventional hybrid or plug-in hybrid. A hybrid’s fuel cost can be calculated using its MPG. For a plug-in hybrid, count electric miles at the electricity rate and gasoline miles at the gas rate; treating it like a battery-only EV or assuming every mile is electric will misstate its fuel cost. Argonne’s calculator supports conventional internal-combustion vehicles, hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and battery EVs, with location, mileage, and price inputs (Argonne Fuel Cost Comparison Calculator).
Rank #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.
Use a calculator to check your inputs
For U.S. comparisons, DOE’s AFDC Vehicle Cost Calculator lets you customize vehicle specifications, fuel prices, driving patterns, and state electricity inputs (DOE AFDC Vehicle Cost Calculator). Argonne’s Fuel Cost Comparison Calculator is another option for comparing gasoline vehicles, hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and battery EVs; Argonne lists its update date as August 5, 2026. Treat any defaults or example results as tool assumptions, not as your personal savings.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →For a quick calculation, collect the following before using a calculator:
- The exact vehicles or representative efficiency figures: gas-car MPG and EV kWh/100 mi.
- Your local gasoline price and applicable home and public electricity prices.
- Your expected charging split if you will use both home and public charging.
- Your annual miles driven.
Keep fuel savings separate from total ownership cost
A lower fuel bill does not by itself prove that an EV will save money overall. Purchase price, incentives, financing, insurance, maintenance, and home-charging equipment or installation are separate costs. DOE’s AFDC Vehicle Cost Calculator is intended for total vehicle-cost comparisons, while its consumer guidance notes that EV purchase prices can be higher and that charging equipment and installation may add cost (AFDC Vehicle Cost Calculator; 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.
A Level 2 charger is optional for this fuel calculation and is not required by every EV owner. DOE says EVs typically include a Level 1 cordset; its AFDC page gives a typical Level 2 equipment cost range of $500 to $4,000 before installation and incentives, with compatibility and local installation requirements to check (AFDC electricity infrastructure). Include any equipment and installation expense separately if you are assessing total ownership cost.
How to interpret published fuel-cost examples
AFDC lists annual fuel-cost examples for 2023 of $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 sourced by AFDC from FuelEconomy.gov and its Vehicle Cost Calculator, not current quotes or a promise of what any driver will save (AFDC electric vehicles for consumers).
AFDC also gives examples based on an electricity price of 12.3 cents per kWh: adding 100 miles of range costs $2.46, and an EV traveling 15,000 miles per year would use around 5,000 kWh. Those are source assumptions and examples, not current electricity rates or universal consumption figures (AFDC electric vehicles for consumers).
Prices, vehicle efficiency, charging costs, and incentives vary and change. Recalculate with current local prices and the exact vehicles under consideration; no single savings figure applies to every driver.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
