EV vs Hybrid vs Gas: 5-Year True Cost
Same 12,000 miles a year, same 5 years, same loan terms — the used EV costs $54,227.96 over 5 years, the hybrid $58,103.03, and the gas car $58,397.56. The EV wins by about $3,875. No resale value counted — see why below.
5-year true cost
Want the car-buying side of this decision?
Loan terms, trade-in value, and whether you can afford the payment in the first place — the full used EV vs hybrid vs gas tool on our sister car site.
Visit →Why the EV wins — and when it doesn't
The EV's edge is energy: at 3.5 miles per kWh and $0.17/kWh, 1,000 miles of driving costs about $48.57 in electricity. The hybrid burns about $94.22 of gas for the same miles (45 mpg at $4.24/gal), and the gas car about $141.33 (30 mpg). Over 5 years that fuel gap is worth roughly $5,500 — more than the EV's $1,200 charger install.
Maintenance and insurance partly offset it. The EV is assumed at $400/year maintenance vs $600 hybrid and $800 gas, but $1,800/year insurance vs $1,600 hybrid and $1,500 gas. The loan payment is what it is: the hybrid costs the most to buy ($34,476), so its payment is the highest at $690.83/month.
No resale value is deducted from any car. That is deliberate: resale depends on battery health, model, and the used market in 5 years, and guessing it would flatter whichever car we liked. If you believe the EV will hold its value better, the EV's lead only grows; if you think EV resale will fall, run the numbers with a lower EV price to compensate.
When the EV does NOT win: if you mostly fast-charge on the road (public charging can cost $0.40–$0.50/kWh, triple the home rate), if you drive very few miles (the fuel saving never pays back the charger), or if your electricity rate is far above $0.17/kWh. Change the charging price and the miles to test your own case.
The $7,500 federal clean-vehicle credit (§30D) ended for purchases after September 30, 2025 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act, P.L. 119-21). Used EVs do not get a new federal credit now — the prices above are the full prices, with no credit subtracted.
Frequently asked questions
Why is there no resale value in the total?
Resale in 5 years is a guess — it depends on battery health, the model, and the used-car market then. We compare the full cost of owning and running each car instead, and say so plainly. If you have a resale estimate, subtract it from the 5-year total yourself.
Does the EV still win if gas gets cheaper?
At $3.00/gal the gas car saves about $41 a month on fuel, narrowing the EV's lead but not erasing it at 12,000 miles a year. Try your own gas price in the calculator — the crossover is around $2.20/gal at home-charging rates.
What if I can't charge at home?
Then the EV's advantage mostly disappears. Public fast charging at $0.40–$0.50/kWh costs about the same per mile as a hybrid on gas. Home charging — ideally overnight at off-peak rates — is what makes the EV cheap. See our home charging calculator.
Is the $7,500 EV tax credit still available?
No. The §30D clean-vehicle credit ended for vehicles purchased after September 30, 2025, under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L. 119-21). No federal credit is included in these prices.
More on cars and charging
Used EV vs Hybrid vs Gas — CarCanAfford
The same comparison with the car-buying angle: loan, trade-in, and affordability.
Visit →Solar Payback Calculator
Charging an EV from your own roof changes the math again — check the payback.
Visit →CarCanAfford is our sister site — same team, same free-tools approach. Used-car prices: iSeeCars, Oct 28, 2026.
Charging at home
ChargePoint HomeFlex Level 2 EV Charger, 50A (J1772)
Home Level 2 charger — overnight charging at home rates instead of public fast-charging prices.
About 4.3 stars (about 2,300 ratings, Amazon, Nov 2026)
View on Amazon →Kasa Smart Plug HS103P2 (2-pack)
Smart plugs — schedule EV accessories and garage gear to run off-peak.
4.6 stars (about 137,576 ratings, Amazon, Nov 2026)
View on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Prices are set by Amazon — check the product page for the current price.