EV vs gas cost in Canada (2026) — the true 5-year total

Q: Which EV is cheapest to own in Canada?

As of July 2026, the Chevrolet Bolt (2027, LT) — about $52,412 over 5 years all-in: depreciation, charging (including losses), insurance, maintenance, registration and financing.

Q: What do electricity and gas cost in Canada right now?

Our totals use 16.50c/kWh for home electricity (provincial utilities) and $1.68/L for gas (CAA), as of July 1, 2026.

As of July 2026: of the 51 models we track in Canada, the cheapest to own over 5 years is the Toyota Corolla (LE gas) at $43,561 — a gas car. The cheapest electric, the Chevrolet Bolt (2027, LT) ($52,412), runs about $8,851 more — we say it plainly when the gas or hybrid car wins.

What an EV really costs to own in Canada versus gas: depreciation, charging, insurance, maintenance and registration — every figure sourced and dated. Electricity varies dramatically by province (Quebec ~7¢ to Alberta ~28¢ all-in), which can flip the verdict — see the by-province table below. The federal EVAP rebate is shown separately. In Alberta — the province with the most recent published figure — the average auto-insurance premium was about $1,835 in H1 2025 (Alberta's Automobile Insurance Rate Board); and Surex, a Canadian brokerage, found electric vehicles cost about 37% more to insure than comparable gas cars, a gap it reports as widening (Surex, Canada).

Choose your province

In Canada, the true cost of an EV vs gas depends heavily on where you live: home electricity ranges from about 6.9c/kWh to 28.0c/kWh (a 4.1× spread) — enough to change, and sometimes flip, whether an EV or gas car is cheaper. Gasoline, incentives and registration are Canada-wide. Choose your province for numbers that are actually true for you.

QCQuebec6.9c/kWh →MBManitoba10.0c/kWh →BCBritish Columbia11.9c/kWh →ONOntario10.3c/kWh →SKSaskatchewan18.0c/kWh →NSNova Scotia18.6c/kWh →ABAlberta28.0c/kWh →

Canada reference numbers

Electricity (Canada): 16.50c/kWhprovincial utilities · 2026-07-01
Gasoline (Canada): $1.68/LCAA
Charging loss (modeled): 12%EPA / SAE J1634
Maintenance ($/yr): EV $650 vs gas $1175est.
Insurance ($/yr, avg): EV $3,131 vs gas $2,289est.
Federal EVAP (BEV): up to $5,000Transport Canada

Cheapest to own in Canada

Every model, ranked by true 5-year cost at Canada rates (15,000 km/yr, all-in). Tap a column to sort, or filter by type:

Starting price vs. the honest 5-year cost to own, every model. Tap a column to sort, or filter by type.
	Type
Toyota Corolla (LE gas)	Gas	$24,520	$43,561	$726
Toyota Camry (Hybrid SE FWD)	Hybrid	$34,575	$45,080	$751
Nissan Kicks S FWD (ICE)	Gas	$27,198	$45,835	$764
Honda Civic (LX sedan, gas)	Gas	$29,000	$46,859	$781
Toyota RAV4 (Hybrid LE AWD)	Hybrid	$37,500	$48,042	$801
Nissan Rogue (S AWD gas)	Gas	$34,598	$51,327	$855
Kia Sportage (LX AWD 2.5L gas)	Gas	$32,295	$51,334	$856
Chevrolet Bolt (2027, LT)	Electric	$39,999	$52,412	$874
Tesla Model 3 (RWD)	Electric	$39,990	$52,442	$874
Honda CR-V Hybrid	Hybrid	$43,015	$52,987	$883
Hyundai Tucson (Essential gas FWD)	Gas	$35,099	$53,194	$887
Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid (HEV)	Hybrid	$43,781	$53,624	$894
Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid (Preferred AWD)	Hybrid	$43,799	$54,141	$902
Volkswagen Tiguan (Trendline 4MOTION 2.0T)	Gas	$37,495	$55,394	$923
Hyundai Kona Electric (Preferred)	Electric	$43,999	$55,942	$932
Mazda CX-5 (GS AWD 2.5L)	Gas	$39,200	$56,350	$939
Honda CR-V (LX gas FWD)	Gas	$42,275	$57,015	$950
Toyota bZ (XLE FWD)	Electric	$45,990	$57,105	$952
Chevrolet Equinox EV (LT FWD)	Electric	$46,200	$57,851	$964
Volkswagen ID.4 (Pro RWD)	Electric	$47,495	$58,700	$978
Volvo EX30 Single Motor ER	Electric	$47,919	$58,715	$979
Kia EV6 (Light RWD)	Electric	$48,995	$59,468	$991
Ford Mustang Mach-E (Standard Range RWD)	Electric	$48,090	$59,504	$992
Tesla Model Y (Standard RWD)	Electric	$49,990	$60,050	$1,001
Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid SE (PHEV)	Plug-in hybrid	$51,715	$62,024	$1,034
Subaru Solterra	Electric	$52,495	$62,321	$1,039
Lexus NX 350h AWD	Hybrid	$58,025	$62,511	$1,042
Nissan Ariya (SV FWD)	Electric	$52,898	$63,252	$1,054
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD	Electric	$54,990	$63,725	$1,062
Hyundai Ioniq 6 (Long Range RWD)	Electric	$54,999	$63,751	$1,063
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (WT 2.7L Turbo)	Gas	$47,000	$63,762	$1,063
Chevrolet Blazer EV (LT FWD)	Electric	$54,500	$63,806	$1,063
Hyundai Ioniq 5 (RWD Long Range)	Electric	$55,499	$64,555	$1,076
Toyota Grand Highlander (gas AWD, base)	Gas	$51,635	$66,919	$1,115
Cadillac OPTIQ	Electric	$58,560	$67,034	$1,117
GMC Sierra 1500 Pro 2.7L TurboMax (ICE)	Gas	$49,999	$67,523	$1,125
Honda Prologue (EX AWD)	Electric	$59,990	$68,699	$1,145
Kia EV9 (Light Long Range RWD)	Electric	$59,995	$68,721	$1,145
Ford F-150 (XL gas, 2.7L EcoBoost)	Gas	$52,690	$69,051	$1,151
Volvo XC60 Core B5 AWD	Gas	$57,600	$69,504	$1,158
Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC	Gas	$60,450	$71,270	$1,188
BMW X3 30 xDrive	Gas	$63,430	$72,372	$1,206
Lexus RX 350 AWD	Gas	$60,885	$72,838	$1,214
Genesis GV70 2.5T Advanced	Gas	$60,000	$73,094	$1,218
Ram 1500 (Tradesman 3.0L Hurricane SO 4x4)	Gas	$59,495	$73,240	$1,221
Audi Q5 Komfort 45 TFSI quattro	Gas	$63,250	$74,261	$1,238
Cadillac LYRIQ (Luxury RWD)	Electric	$73,299	$78,611	$1,310
Acura MDX Tech SH-AWD	Gas	$68,380	$79,783	$1,330
Ford F-150 Lightning (XLT Extended Range)	Electric	$74,995	$82,144	$1,369

Example comparison — change the vehicles belowOver 5 years, the Toyota Corolla (LE gas) (gas car) is the cheapest at $43,561 — about $8,881 less than the Tesla Model 3 ($726/mo, $0.58/km).

Lowest cost Gas

Toyota Corolla (LE gas)

$43,561 / 5 yr

$726/mo$0.58/km

Lowest 5-yr cost

Electric

Tesla Model 3 (RWD)

$52,442 / 5 yr

$874/mo$0.70/km

+$8,881 more than the Toyota Corolla (20%)

Electric

Tesla Model Y (Standard RWD)

$60,050 / 5 yr

$1,001/mo$0.80/km

+$16,489 more than the Toyota Corolla (38%)

Cumulative cost over time

Total spend by each year — purchase, charging/fuel, depreciation, insurance and financing combined. Where two lines cross is your payback point.

Tesla Model 3Toyota CorollaTesla Model Y

Tesla Model 3 never beats Toyota Corolla within 5 yrs · Tesla Model Y never beats Toyota Corolla within 5 yrs

Where the money goes (full breakdown)

5-year total cost of ownership by component, by vehicle (CAD). Estimates; sources dated in the methodology.
Cost component	Electric · Tesla Model 3	Gas · Toyota Corolla	Electric · Tesla Model Y
Depreciation (estimated)	$23,194 (44%)	$12,750 (29%)	$28,994 (48%)
Charging / fuel	$2,888 (6%)	$8,946 (21%)	$2,815 (5%)
↳ of which charging loss	12% (~$347)	—	12% (~$338)
Maintenance	$3,248 (6%)	$5,873 (13%)	$3,248 (5%)
Insurance	$15,655 (30%)	$11,445 (26%)	$15,655 (26%)
Financing interest	$6,957 (13%)	$4,047 (9%)	$8,837 (15%)
Registration & fees	$500 (1%)	$500 (1%)	$500 (1%)
Total cost of ownership	$52,442	$43,561	$60,050

Canada head-to-head: EV vs gas/hybrid

Tesla Model 3 (RWD)vsHonda Civic (LX sedan, gas)Tesla Model Y (Standard RWD)vsToyota RAV4 (Hybrid LE AWD)Tesla Model Y (Standard RWD)vsHonda CR-V (LX gas FWD)Chevrolet Equinox EV (LT FWD)vsToyota RAV4 (Hybrid LE AWD)Hyundai Ioniq 5 (RWD Long Range)vsHonda CR-V (LX gas FWD)Kia EV6 (Light RWD)vsToyota RAV4 (Hybrid LE AWD)Volkswagen ID.4 (Pro RWD)vsHonda CR-V (LX gas FWD)Ford Mustang Mach-E (Standard Range RWD)vsHonda CR-V (LX gas FWD)Nissan Ariya (SV FWD)vsToyota RAV4 (Hybrid LE AWD)Hyundai Kona Electric (Preferred)vsHyundai Tucson (Essential gas FWD)Ford F-150 Lightning (XLT Extended Range)vsFord F-150 (XL gas, 2.7L EcoBoost)Honda Prologue (EX AWD)vsHonda CR-V (LX gas FWD)

Canada cost by model

FAQ

Is an electric car cheaper to own than a gas car in Canada?

Usually not at typical mileage, as of July 2026: the cheapest model we track in Canada is the Toyota Corolla (LE gas) (a gas car) at $43,561 over 5 years, while the cheapest electric — the Chevrolet Bolt (2027, LT) at $52,412 — runs about $8,851 more. High mileage or cheap home charging can flip it; each comparison page shows exactly when.

Which EV is cheapest to own in Canada?

As of July 2026, the Chevrolet Bolt (2027, LT) — about $52,412 over 5 years all-in: depreciation, charging (including losses), insurance, maintenance, registration and financing.

What do electricity and gas cost in Canada right now?

Our totals use 16.50c/kWh for home electricity (provincial utilities) and $1.68/L for gas (CAA), as of July 1, 2026.

What does the 5-year total include?

Depreciation, charging or fuel (including the ~12% AC charging loss most calculators omit), insurance, maintenance, registration and financing interest — every source dated.

Estimates for planning, not financial advice. Canada depreciation, insurance and maintenance are dated estimates calibrated to Canada sources. How we calculate →

EV vs gas cost in Canada (2026) — the true 5-year total

Choose your province

Canada reference numbers

Cheapest to own in Canada

Total cost of ownership, cheapest first

Toyota Corolla (LE gas)

Tesla Model 3 (RWD)

Tesla Model Y (Standard RWD)

Cumulative cost over time

Where the money goes (full breakdown)

Canada head-to-head: EV vs gas/hybrid

Canada cost by model

Electric

Plug-in hybrid

Hybrid

Gas

FAQ

Is an electric car cheaper to own than a gas car in Canada?

Which EV is cheapest to own in Canada?

What do electricity and gas cost in Canada right now?

What does the 5-year total include?

EVCostIQ in other markets