EVCostIQ

The EV cost intelligence platform

What an EV really costs in the U.S. — pick your state

As of July 2026: of the 85 models we track in the U.S., the cheapest to own over 5 years is the Toyota Prius LE at $35,276 — a hybrid. The cheapest electric, the Chevrolet Bolt EUV (used) ($45,261), runs about $9,985 more — we say it plainly when the gas or hybrid car wins.

In the United States the true cost of an EV vs a gas car depends heavily on where you live: electricity prices, gas prices, EV incentives, registration / road-use fees and insurance all vary by state — enough to flip whether an EV or a gas car is cheaper. Choose your state for numbers that are actually true for you.

Choose your state

ALAlabama17.4¢/kWh →AKAlaska27.4¢/kWh →AZArizona15.5¢/kWh →ARArkansas14.2¢/kWh →CACalifornia35.3¢/kWh →COColorado16.5¢/kWh →CTConnecticut32.2¢/kWh →DEDelaware18.8¢/kWh →DCDistrict of Columbia25.4¢/kWh →FLFlorida15.4¢/kWh →GAGeorgia15.4¢/kWh →HIHawaii46.6¢/kWh →IDIdaho12.7¢/kWh →ILIllinois20.5¢/kWh →INIndiana17.9¢/kWh →IAIowa13.9¢/kWh →KSKansas15.8¢/kWh →KYKentucky15.0¢/kWh →LALouisiana14.4¢/kWh →MEMaine28.4¢/kWh →MDMaryland22.1¢/kWh →MAMassachusetts29.4¢/kWh →MIMichigan21.4¢/kWh →MNMinnesota16.4¢/kWh →MSMississippi16.8¢/kWh →MOMissouri14.0¢/kWh →MTMontana13.9¢/kWh →NENebraska13.3¢/kWh →NVNevada14.3¢/kWh →NHNew Hampshire27.2¢/kWh →NJNew Jersey23.5¢/kWh →NMNew Mexico15.2¢/kWh →NYNew York29.4¢/kWh →NCNorth Carolina16.3¢/kWh →NDNorth Dakota12.3¢/kWh →OHOhio19.5¢/kWh →OKOklahoma13.3¢/kWh →OROregon15.8¢/kWh →PAPennsylvania21.5¢/kWh →RIRhode Island28.3¢/kWh →SCSouth Carolina17.1¢/kWh →SDSouth Dakota14.5¢/kWh →TNTennessee14.9¢/kWh →TXTexas17.0¢/kWh →UTUtah13.3¢/kWh →VTVermont24.6¢/kWh →VAVirginia17.4¢/kWh →WAWashington14.4¢/kWh →WVWest Virginia16.1¢/kWh →WIWisconsin19.2¢/kWh →WYWyoming14.7¢/kWh →

More states are rolling out as we load each state's electricity, gas and incentive data.

U.S. reference numbers

Electricity, US average
18.8¢/kWhEIA · 2026-04
Gasoline, US average
$3.85/galAAA
Charging loss (modeled)
12%EPA / SAE J1634
Maintenance ($/mi)
EV $0.06 vs gas $0.10AAA (est.)
Insurance ($/yr, avg)
EV $2,750 vs gas $2,200industry (est.)
Federal EV purchase credit (2026)
$0 — expired Sept 30, 2025IRS / OBBBA

Cheapest cars to own overall (US average)

Any powertrain — ranked by true 5-year cost from all 85 models we track, at US-average rates. Honest: a hybrid or gas car can top this list.

  1. Toyota Prius LE (hybrid)$35,276
  2. Toyota Corolla LE (gas)$35,386
  3. Honda Civic LX (gas)$36,388
  4. Toyota Camry Hybrid LE$38,171
  5. Toyota RAV4 Hybrid LE$39,148
  6. Hyundai Kona SE (gas)$39,243
  7. Honda Accord LX (gas)$39,655
  8. Toyota RAV4 LE (gas)$41,092

Browse the full index: every model cost page · every EV-vs-gas comparison · how much more EVs cost to insure.

EV cost guides

Cheapest EVs to own (US average)

Ranked by true 5-year cost of ownership at US-average rates — pick your state above for accurate local numbers:

  1. Chevrolet Bolt EUV (used)$45,261
  2. Nissan Leaf SV+$45,873
  3. Toyota bZ XLE (electric)$47,911
  4. Hyundai Ioniq 5 SE$49,052
  5. 2026 Fiat 500e$49,782
  6. Chevrolet Equinox EV LT$50,265
  7. Hyundai Kona Electric SEL (Long Range)$50,935
  8. 2026 Volvo EX30 Single motor extended range$52,246

Quick national estimate

A rough US-average comparison — pick your state above for accurate local numbers.

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FAQ

Is an electric car cheaper to own than a gas car in the U.S.?

Usually not at typical mileage, as of July 2026: the cheapest model we track in the U.S. is the Toyota Prius LE (a hybrid) at $35,276 over 5 years, while the cheapest electric — the Chevrolet Bolt EUV (used) at $45,261 — runs about $9,985 more. High mileage or cheap home charging can flip it; each comparison page shows exactly when.

Which EV is cheapest to own in the U.S.?

As of July 2026, the Chevrolet Bolt EUV (used) — about $45,261 over 5 years all-in: depreciation, charging (including losses), insurance, maintenance, registration fees and financing.

What do electricity and gas cost in the U.S. right now?

Our totals use 18.8¢/kWh for home electricity (EIA) and $3.85/gal for gas (AAA), 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 fees and financing interest — every source dated. The federal EV purchase credit expired Sept 30, 2025 ($0 today) and is not applied — and your state's electricity and gas prices can move the totals a lot, so pick your state above.

EVCostIQ in other markets

Independent estimates for planning, not financial advice. No referral fees. We tell you when gas wins.