Estimate your total cost of ownership over a specified period.
Estimated Total Cost Over Years:
Electric Vehicle (EV): —
Gasoline Car: —
Difference (EV Savings/Extra Cost): —
Understanding the EV vs. Gas Car Cost Calculator
Choosing between an electric vehicle (EV) and a traditional gasoline-powered car involves more than just the initial purchase price.
This calculator helps you estimate the total cost of ownership over a defined period, considering various factors beyond the sticker price, such as fuel, electricity, maintenance, and depreciation.
By inputting key figures specific to your driving habits and local costs, you can make a more informed decision.
How the Calculator Works:
The calculator estimates the total cost for each vehicle type by summing up several key components over the specified ownership period.
1. Purchase Price:
This is the initial upfront cost of buying the EV or the gasoline car. It's a significant factor in the overall cost.
2. Fuel/Energy Costs:
EV Energy Cost: Calculated by multiplying the total annual distance driven by the EV's energy consumption (Wh/mile), converting Watt-hours to kilowatt-hours (kWh), and then multiplying by the electricity cost per kWh.
Formula:
Total Miles = Annual Driving Distance * Ownership Years
Total kWh = (Total Miles * EV Wh/Mile) / 1000
Total EV Energy Cost = Total kWh * EV Electricity Cost ($/kWh)
Gas Car Fuel Cost: Calculated by multiplying the total annual distance driven by the inverse of the car's MPG to get gallons needed, and then multiplying by the price of gasoline per gallon.
Formula:
Total Miles = Annual Driving Distance * Ownership Years
Gallons Needed = Total Miles / Gas Car MPG
Total Gas Fuel Cost = Gallons Needed * Gas Price ($/gallon)
3. Maintenance Costs:
EVs generally have lower maintenance costs due to fewer moving parts (no oil changes, fewer brake replacements due to regenerative braking). This calculator uses estimated annual maintenance costs for both vehicle types.
Formula:
Total EV Maintenance = EV Annual Maintenance Cost * Ownership Years
Total Gas Maintenance = Gas Car Annual Maintenance Cost * Ownership Years
4. Depreciation (Resale Value):
Cars lose value over time. This calculator accounts for estimated annual depreciation, representing the loss in resale value. Some EVs might depreciate differently than comparable gas cars, depending on market trends and battery degradation concerns.
Formula:
Total EV Depreciation = EV Estimated Annual Resale Value Depreciation * Ownership Years
Total Gas Depreciation = Gas Car Estimated Annual Resale Value Depreciation * Ownership Years
Total Cost Calculation:
The calculator sums these components for each vehicle type to provide a comprehensive estimated total cost over the ownership period.
Formula:
Total Cost = Purchase Price + Fuel/Energy Costs + Maintenance Costs – Resale Value Depreciation
(Note: Depreciation is subtracted as it represents a return of value upon sale, thus reducing the net cost of ownership).
When to Use This Calculator:
Comparing specific models: Input the actual purchase prices, efficiency ratings, and estimated maintenance costs for the EV and gas car you're considering.
Understanding long-term savings: See how differences in fuel/electricity prices and maintenance schedules impact your finances over 5, 10, or more years.
Evaluating different driving scenarios: Adjust the annual driving distance to see how high-mileage drivers might benefit more from an EV's lower running costs.
Budgeting for vehicle ownership: Get a realistic estimate of the true cost beyond the initial purchase.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides an estimation based on the inputs provided. Actual costs may vary due to factors such as local electricity and gas prices, driving style, specific vehicle reliability, insurance costs, government incentives (which are not included here), and unforeseen repairs.
function calculateCosts() {
var drivingDistancePerYear = parseFloat(document.getElementById("drivingDistancePerYear").value);
var ownershipYears = parseInt(document.getElementById("ownershipYears").value);
var evPurchasePrice = parseFloat(document.getElementById("evPurchasePrice").value);
var gasCarPurchasePrice = parseFloat(document.getElementById("gasCarPurchasePrice").value);
var evEnergyCostPerKwh = parseFloat(document.getElementById("evEnergyCostPerKwh").value);
var evWhPerMile = parseFloat(document.getElementById("evWhPerMile").value);
var gasPricePerGallon = parseFloat(document.getElementById("gasPricePerGallon").value);
var gasMpg = parseFloat(document.getElementById("gasMpg").value);
var evMaintenanceCostPerYear = parseFloat(document.getElementById("evMaintenanceCostPerYear").value);
var gasCarMaintenanceCostPerYear = parseFloat(document.getElementById("gasCarMaintenanceCostPerYear").value);
var evResaleValuePerYear = parseFloat(document.getElementById("evResaleValuePerYear").value);
var gasCarResaleValuePerYear = parseFloat(document.getElementById("gasCarResaleValuePerYear").value);
var isValid = true;
var inputs = [drivingDistancePerYear, ownershipYears, evPurchasePrice, gasCarPurchasePrice, evEnergyCostPerKwh, evWhPerMile, gasPricePerGallon, gasMpg, evMaintenanceCostPerYear, gasCarMaintenanceCostPerYear, evResaleValuePerYear, gasCarResaleValuePerYear];
for (var i = 0; i < inputs.length; i++) {
if (isNaN(inputs[i]) || inputs[i] < 0) {
isValid = false;
break;
}
}
if (!isValid) {
alert("Please enter valid positive numbers for all fields.");
return;
}
// Calculations
var totalMiles = drivingDistancePerYear * ownershipYears;
// EV Costs
var totalKwh = (totalMiles * evWhPerMile) / 1000;
var totalEvEnergyCost = totalKwh * evEnergyCostPerKwh;
var totalEvMaintenance = evMaintenanceCostPerYear * ownershipYears;
var totalEvDepreciation = evResaleValuePerYear * ownershipYears;
var evTotalCost = evPurchasePrice + totalEvEnergyCost + totalEvMaintenance – totalEvDepreciation;
// Gas Car Costs
var gallonsNeeded = totalMiles / gasMpg;
var totalGasFuelCost = gallonsNeeded * gasPricePerGallon;
var totalGasMaintenance = gasCarMaintenanceCostPerYear * ownershipYears;
var totalGasDepreciation = gasCarResaleValuePerYear * ownershipYears;
var gasCarTotalCost = gasCarPurchasePrice + totalGasFuelCost + totalGasMaintenance – totalGasDepreciation;
// Display Results
document.getElementById("ownershipYearsResult").innerText = ownershipYears;
document.getElementById("evTotalCost").innerText = "$" + evTotalCost.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById("gasCarTotalCost").innerText = "$" + gasCarTotalCost.toFixed(2);
var difference = evTotalCost – gasCarTotalCost;
var differenceText = "";
if (difference 0) {
differenceText = "$" + difference.toFixed(2) + " (Gas Car is cheaper)";
document.getElementById("costDifference").style.color = "#dc3545"; // Red for extra cost
} else {
differenceText = "$0.00 (Costs are equal)";
document.getElementById("costDifference").style.color = "#6c757d"; // Grey for equal
}
document.getElementById("costDifference").innerText = differenceText;
}