Everyone argues about the sticker price. The money is really won and lost across nine other lines — and an EV loses badly on three of them.
The US national average sat near $4.06 a gallon in early August 2026. Fill a 14-gallon tank and that is roughly $57 gone, every time.
Home electricity runs about 16-18 cents per kWh. That is where the EV's fuel advantage lives — and off-peak overnight rates push it lower still.
Public DC fast charging averages 40-50 cents per kWh — roughly three times the home rate. Drivers with no driveway pay the high number every time.
Consumer Reports puts EV upkeep near 3.1 cents a mile against 6.1 for gas. No oil changes, no spark plugs — about $4,600 saved over a car's life.
Instant torque and battery weight chew through tyres roughly 20% faster, and more on heavy performance models. A full set runs $600 to $1,200.
Insuring an EV averages $3,159 a year against $2,218 for gas — 42% more, because they cost more to repair. On 2024-or-newer cars the gap narrows to 18%.
Skipping fuel tax means skipping road funding, so 39 states now add an EV registration surcharge. The median is about $150 a year; some reach $290.
Depreciation dwarfs fuel. EVs shed about 57% of their value in five years against 42% for the average car — thousands lost before any pump savings count.
Cells now average near $108 per kWh, but a retail pack swap still runs $7,000 to $25,000. Most packs outlast the warranty; a few owners get the bill.
A home charger averages about $1,700 installed, and the $7,500 federal credit ended in September 2025. An EV wins on fuel and service, loses on resale.