Gas vs. electric: when does an EV pay for itself?
Pick a gas car and an electric car, add how much more the EV costs up front, and see the year it catches up.
1,000 mi
$5,000
After any discounts or incentives you qualify forThe Model Y earns back its $5,000 extra cost in about 7.6 years in Texas.
RAV4 fuel$1,150/ year41 mpg
Model Y charging$493/ year25.7 kWh/100 mi
You save with the EV$657/ year
Total cost over 10 years
Extra upfront cost plus fuel or charging, added up year by yearRAV4 (gas)Model Y (electric)
Uses each car's median EPA version (RAV4 AWD Limited & XSE; Model Y Standard RWD (19in Wheels)) and home charging at Texas's average rate.
How we calculate
Gas cars
Miles ÷ EPA combined mpg × your state's average price for the fuel grade EPA rated the car on.
Electric cars
Miles × EPA kWh per 100 miles × your state's average home electricity rate. EPA ratings already include charging losses.
Break-even
Extra upfront cost ÷ yearly energy savings. Insurance, maintenance and resale value aren't included yet.