The argument goes on raging worldwide: “Are electric vehicles better than gas ones?” Although it is believed that running EVs is cheaper than it seems, charging them up can actually be more expensive compared to what one might expect. Depending on where you charge, the cost of charging an EV goes between $844 and $1843 a year. In comparison, filling up a gas car costs about $1,655 a year.
But it’s not just about the price tag. It’s about real-world costs over time. Here we’ll compare EV vs. gas cars by looking at purchase prices, tax credits, energy costs, maintenance, performance, and eco-friendliness, to help you decide which option makes the most sense.
The True Cost of Owning an EV vs. a Gas Car
The cost of owning an EV vs. a gas car can be broken down into upfront costs, fueling and maintenance expenses, and incentives. Here we’ve shed light on each:
Upfront Cost and Incentives
Electric cars tend to be more expensive to purchase compared to gas ones. To give an illustration, the 2024 model Tesla Model 3 is approximately $36828 in the market, whereas the price of a Toyota Camry is approximately $27,820. Nevertheless, tax credits and rebates are given to buyers of EVs, thus reducing their starting cost. Within the U.S., EVs are able to receive a federal tax credit of up to $7,500, but there are limitations based on income, vehicle type, and battery components.
Other areas, such as British Columbia and Quebec, have additional rebates up to 4,000 or 7,000 CAD. But these incentives may vary with time. Gas cars tend to cost less initially, but they do not receive the same incentives, although customers may receive manufacturer incentives or dealer discounts.
Maintenance Costs Over Time
The EVs tend to become cheaper to maintain than gas-powered cars. This is because they have fewer moving components and do not require changing oil, spark plugs, and catalytic exhaust system repairs. However, they do need minimum maintenance, such as tire rotation, fluid viewing, and checking.
Technological advancements in EVs, such as regenerative braking, prolong the life of brake pads. Based on research, an EV user will manage to reduce maintenance costs by up to 60% and up to $4,600 within the lifespan of the vehicle.
Battery replacement is one of the significant possible costs of EVs. A majority of the EV batteries have an 8-year warranty or a 100,000-mile warranty. An electric vehicle may demand between $5,500 and $20,000 to replace an out-of-warranty battery, depending on the model. This recreated battery solution may reduce that cost at other times.
Gasoline-powered cars need to be checked more often, i.e., oil changes and spark plug replacement. Their components are frequently found and, in some cases, at lower prices, and the average maintenance costs are about $800 a year. In the long run, EVs are estimated to save drivers up to $11,000 compared to gas cars primarily because of reduced fuel costs and maintenance. With that being said, the total cost of ownership will be determined by the electricity rates, local incentives, insurance, depreciation costs, and potential battery replacement.
Fueling Costs: Electricity vs. Gasoline
The gasoline prices vary frequently due to the supply, demand, seasonal factors, and even global events. By May 2, 2025, average gasoline prices in the U.S. were at $3.18 a gallon, but prices ranged between $4.77 a gallon in California to $2.66 a gallon in Mississippi. Gas cars are less efficient, too, since only 16–25% of the gasoline is used to propel the vehicle.
Whereas EVs are so much more efficacious, operating on 87–91% of electricity. Their regenerative braking feature also helps them get back energy. But the electric vehicle cost is exceptionally higher when used to charge through public charging stations than when charged at home.
Home Charging vs. Public Charging
Recharging an EV is much more economical as compared to filling a gas tank. Most EV drivers will pay less than $0.05 per mile since, from May 2025, the average electricity rates in the U.S. are approximately $0.17/kWh. To elaborate, charging a Tesla Model 3 fully at home would require an amount ranging between $10.98 and $18 kWh. One year of charging an EV at home typically costs around 13,500 miles at $500–$720, and around 13,500 miles in a gas car costs $1600-$2100.
Public fast charging, such as Tesla Superchargers, may be equally or more expensive than gas. Depending on the location and time, prices are different, ranging from $0.11/kWh to $0.60/kWh. In others, it may reach as much as $49 to fully recharge. Therefore, it would be more expensive per mile than a gas car. One Tesla Model 3 driver said that he paid $42 to charge at a Supercharger to travel 332 miles. This is much more than he would pay to drive a compact SUV the same distance.
Plug-in Hybrids (PHEVs), however, use both gas and electric energy, but their mileage is increased compared to ordinary gas cars. Hybrid vehicles can operate primarily on electricity to cover short distances and operate on gas when travelling long distances. As an example, the Toyota Corolla Hybrid can consume only 3.4L/100km, and a hybrid Camry requires 50.2% less fuel than a conventional gas Camry in city driving. Nonetheless, PHEVs use more gas when it comes to long journeys.
EV vs. Gas Cars: Which One Drives Better?
A car’s driving performance is influenced by many factors. So, let’s see which one drives better between a gas vs an electric car:
Acceleration and Power
Electric cars provide dynamic performance, which means they’re quick and responsive, particularly when driving in the city. They do not require a regular transmission, and thus, the power drives directly to the wheels. This means no waiting for the engine to rev up like in gas cars. Other EVs, such as the Tesla Model S Plaid, can be considered some of the fastest-accelerating vehicles globally.
While gas cars have multi-speed transmissions, they are able to sustain high speeds more easily. Also, they are slower on the line in comparison to EVs, but tend to operate well on long highway driving. Some high-performance gas cars are also fuel-efficient due to advanced gear systems.
Range and Refueling Time
Gasoline vehicles normally cover a longer distance and need less time to refuel than EVs. An average gas car could cover up to 400-600 miles with one tank of gas, whereas the average EV can cover up to 300 miles. It only takes a few minutes to fill a gas tank, and charging an EV already takes longer (30 minutes to overnight).
Nevertheless, EVs are awesome when one commutes every day and has a chance to charge the car at home. But its range may fluctuate depending on road conditions, weather, and speed. Long-range driving also needs some planning because the charging points cannot be found as easily as fuel stations. But apps can help map out stops. The cold weather may also decrease the range of EVs, particularly with the heater.
Vehicle Type
In comparing the performance of EVs and gas cars, put only similar cars against each other. By way of example, it is not a fair match between a sports EV and an inexpensive gas SUV. Electric cars with high performance can consume higher energy for going fast, whereas there are also gas cars relying on fuel efficiency compared to power.
In addition, EVs have a comfortable and quiet driving experience, since they have a low center of gravity from battery placement and the absence of engine sound. This architecture makes it easier to handle and maintain a balance when turning.
Are Electric Cars Better For The Environment?
EVs don’t spit out exhaust, which is great for city air. Whereas, gas cars are still pumping out CO2 and other harmful emissions, which is bad news for health and the planet. Even the newer ones can’t really keep up with EVs on emissions. So, EVs win on that front, but it’s not all super simple.
Making EV batteries isn’t perfect, as you have to dig up lithium and cobalt, which isn’t great for the planet or the people mining it. But recycling tech’s getting better, so at least we’re starting to reuse more materials instead of just ripping up the earth for new minerals. Still not ideal, but it’s improving.
EVs can be cleaner, but it really depends on where their electricity comes from. If you charge it with wind or solar produce electricity there will be low emissions. But plug it into a coal-powered grid, and this won’t be so great. So, might as well drive a regular gas car. Sure, building EVs spits out more emissions at first, but over time, they usually beat gas cars on the whole.
Are EVs Better Than Gas Cars?
Whether you need and want an EV or a gas car is dependent on your lifestyle choice. EVs are generally quieter, cleaner, and even economical to operate, provided that you are able to charge at home. Though public charging is getting better, it can still be less convenient and expensive, with some hybrids or gas cars suiting some people better.
EVs are faster, but the ability to use gas cars for long distances remains more feasible as their range is longer and their refueling is faster. In the long term, it is expected that EVs will become more appealing with better batteries, charging rates, and recycling. One stat shows, the U.S. plans to put in 500,000 public EV chargers by 2030. When electricity gets cleaner, EVs will be even better for the environment than gas cars.
Key Takeaways
There’s no clear winner for “Are electric vehicles better than gas?” EVs cost more upfront, but you might save cash at the end of the day, especially if you charge at home. They’re quiet, quick, and cleaner to drive, but public charging can be exorbitant
On the other hand, gas cars are affordable to buy, easy to refuel, and better for long trips, but not exactly eco-friendly. Batteries aren’t perfect for the planet either, though EVs usually end up greener on the whole, especially if you use renewables. In the end, it’s all about your budget, driving habits, and what matters to you.
FAQs
1. What are the disadvantages of using electric vehicles?
EVs can’t go as far as gas cars, and charging takes a lot longer than filling up. If you don’t have a charger at home, finding one isn’t always simple. Upfront expenses are also inflated. Batteries cost a lot to replace, and how eco-friendly they are really depends on where your electricity comes from. Besides, they’re heavier than regular gas cars.
2. How long do electric cars last?
Electric cars hold up just fine. Batteries last 10 to 20 years, or up to 200,000 miles, and you only lose a bit of battery each year, nothing major. Most come with solid warranties, and with fewer parts to break, they go the distance if you take care of them.
3. Are gas cars going away?
Gas cars aren’t just going to disappear overnight. Sure, places like California and parts of Canada want to stop new gas car sales by 2035, but people will still drive them for years, especially in rural areas or if they’re collectors. EVs are catching on, but gas cars will slowly fade, and not exit suddenly.
4. How long does an electric car motor last?
Electric car motors are built tough with hardly any moving parts, so not much to wear out. As long as you maintain basic parts like bearings, these motors can last ages, usually way longer than the battery.
5. How much does the electric bill go up with an electric car?
If you’re charging your EV at home, expect your electric bill to go up, maybe $60 to $72 more a month, depending on how much you drive and local rates. Charging overnight or with special EV rates can knock that down. Still, it’s usually cheaper than gas.
6. Are Tesla charging stations free?
Tesla Supercharging usually isn’t free. Some older Model S and X owners got free lifetime Supercharging, and Tesla has occasionally run limited free charging promotions. Most Tesla drivers now pay to use Superchargers, with prices depending on location, time, and charging speed.
However, Tesla Destination Chargers, found at places like hotels or restaurants, are sometimes free for guests. Non-Tesla EVs can use select Superchargers by paying through the Tesla app.
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