EVCostIQ

The EV cost intelligence platform

71 vehicles · sources EPA · EIA · AAA · IRS · updated

What an EV really costs in Colorado — any EV, any hybrid, any gas car

As of July 2026: of the 85 models we track in Colorado, the cheapest to own over 5 years is the Toyota Prius LE at $34,525 — a hybrid. The cheapest electric, the Chevrolet Bolt EUV (used) ($44,458), runs about $9,933 more — we say it plainly when the gas or hybrid car wins.

Charging mostly at home, an EV usually costs about half as much per mile to run as a comparable gas car — but higher depreciation and insurance can erase that, and the federal $7,500 credit is gone (). The cheaper car depends on the exact vehicles, your mileage, and your local rates. Compare any below — every assumption shown and dated.

No referral fees. No manufacturer commissions. We tell you when gas wins.

The numbers behind every EV-vs-gas estimate

Electricity, Colorado
16.5¢/kWhEIA · 2026-04
Gasoline, Colorado
$3.70/galAAA
Charging loss (modeled)
12%EPA / SAE J1634
Maintenance ($/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
24-month residential electricity trend — EIA: 14.5¢/kWh (2024-05) → 16.5¢/kWh (2026-04)

Example comparison — change the vehicles belowOver 5 years, the Honda Civic LX (gas car) is the cheapest at $35,548 — about $13,893 less than the Chevrolet Equinox EV LT ($592/mo, $0.59/mi).

Total cost of ownership, cheapest first

Lowest cost Gas

Honda Civic LX (gas)

$35,548 / 5 yr
$592/mo$0.59/mi
Lowest 5-yr cost
Electric

Chevrolet Equinox EV LT

$49,441 / 5 yr
$824/mo$0.82/mi
+$13,893 more than the Honda Civic LX (39%)
Electric

Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD

$53,911 / 5 yr
$899/mo$0.90/mi
+$18,363 more than the Honda Civic LX (52%)

Lowest 5-year cost: Honda Civic LX (gas) at $35,548, $592 per month. Chevrolet Equinox EV LT $49,441; Tesla Model 3 Premium $53,911.

Cumulative cost over time

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

Tesla Model 3 PremiumHonda Civic LXChevrolet Equinox EV LT
Cumulative cost of ownership by year for each vehicle The full data is available in the breakdown table below. $0$14,556$29,112$43,668$58,2240yr 1yr 2yr 3yr 4yr 5Tesla Model 3 PremiumHonda Civic LXChevrolet Equinox EV LT

Tesla Model 3 Premium never beats Honda Civic LX within 5 yrs · Chevrolet Equinox EV LT never beats Honda Civic LX within 5 yrs

Where the money goes (full breakdown)

5-year total cost of ownership by component, by vehicle (USD). Estimates; sources dated in the methodology.
Cost componentElectric · Tesla Model 3 PremiumGas · Honda Civic LXElectric · Chevrolet Equinox EV LT
Depreciation (estimated)$24,644 (46%)$9,144 (26%)$20,997 (42%)
Charging / fuel$3,665 (7%)$6,172 (17%)$4,252 (9%)
↳ of which charging loss12% (~$440)—12% (~$510)
Maintenance$3,660 (7%)$4,620 (13%)$3,660 (7%)
Insurance$13,750 (26%)$11,000 (31%)$13,750 (28%)
Financing interest$7,427 (14%)$4,213 (12%)$6,017 (12%)
Registration & fees$765 (1%)$400 (1%)$765 (2%)
Total cost of ownership$53,911$35,548$49,441

The charging-loss row is the ~10–15% of electricity lost to AC charging that you pay for but never reaches the battery — most calculators silently omit it, which makes EVs look cheaper than they are. We include it.

Incentives (as of 2026-07-01)

  • Federal EV purchase credit ($7,500 new / $4,000 used) — EXPIRED Sept 30, 2025. Ended under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — not available; never in our headline cost.
  • Home charger credit (30C) — EXPIRED June 30, 2026. Was 30% of a home-charger install up to $1,000 (IRS Form 8911) — terminated for property placed in service after June 30, 2026 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
  • New-vehicle auto-loan interest deduction — ACTIVE 2025–2028. Deduct interest on a new US-assembled vehicle loan, up to $10k/yr (income-limited).
  • State & utility incentives — VARIES. Layered per location with a dated source — arriving with the state data packs.

Why trust this

  • Unbiased. No referral fees, no manufacturer commissions, no utility-territory lock.
  • Current. Live EIA electricity rates; every number sourced and dated.
  • Honest. We model charging loss and show you when gas is the better buy.
  • Full methodology & sources →

We take no manufacturer commissions, no utility-territory deals, and no referral fees that affect the calculator. Any affiliate links are clearly disclosed and never change the math. Revenue comes from display ads. We show you when gas wins.

Cheapest EVs to own in Colorado

Ranked by true 5-year cost of ownership at Colorado rates (12,000 mi/yr, all-in):

  1. Chevrolet Bolt EUV (used)$44,458
  2. Nissan Leaf SV+$45,029
  3. Toyota bZ XLE (electric)$47,152
  4. Hyundai Ioniq 5 SE$48,248
  5. 2026 Fiat 500e$48,955
  6. Chevrolet Equinox EV LT$49,441
  7. Hyundai Kona Electric SEL (Long Range)$50,111
  8. 2026 Volvo EX30 Single motor extended range$51,419

EV vs gas & hybrid head-to-head in Colorado

Tesla Model 3 Premium RWDvsToyota Camry Hybrid LETesla Model 3 Premium RWDvsHonda Accord LX (gas)Hyundai Ioniq 6 SEvsToyota Camry Hybrid LEHyundai Ioniq 6 SEvsHonda Accord LX (gas)Tesla Model Y RWDvsToyota RAV4 LE (gas)Tesla Model Y RWDvsHonda CR-V LX (gas)Tesla Model Y Long Range AWDvsToyota RAV4 LE (gas)Chevrolet Equinox EV LTvsToyota RAV4 LE (gas)Chevrolet Equinox EV LTvsHonda CR-V LX (gas)Hyundai Ioniq 5 SEvsToyota RAV4 LE (gas)Kia EV6 WindvsToyota RAV4 LE (gas)Ford Mustang Mach-E SelectvsHonda CR-V LX (gas)Honda Prologue EXvsHonda CR-V LX (gas)Volkswagen ID.4 ProvsToyota RAV4 LE (gas)Nissan Ariya EngagevsHonda CR-V LX (gas)Kia Niro EV WindvsToyota RAV4 LE (gas)Subaru Solterra PremiumvsToyota RAV4 LE (gas)Nissan Leaf SV+vsToyota Prius LE (hybrid)Ford F-150 Lightning ProvsFord F-150 XLT (gas)Toyota bZ XLE (electric)vsToyota RAV4 Hybrid LEChevrolet Equinox EV LTvsToyota RAV4 Hybrid LEToyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid SEvsToyota RAV4 LE (gas)Porsche Taycan (electric)vsTesla Model S Long Range (electric)Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ (electric)vsBMW i7 xDrive60 (electric)Land Rover Range Rover P400 SEvsPorsche CayenneBMW X7 xDrive40ivsCadillac EscaladeMercedes-Benz G-Class G550vsLand Rover Range Rover P400 SETesla Model Y RWDvsToyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid SEHyundai Ioniq 5 SEvsTesla Model Y RWDFord F-150 Lightning ProvsTesla Cybertruck AWDFord Mustang Mach-E SelectvsTesla Model Y RWDLucid Air Pure (electric)vsTesla Model S Long Range (electric)Lucid Air Pure (electric)vsPorsche Taycan (electric)Tesla Cybertruck AWDvsChevrolet Silverado EV LT Extended RangeFord F-150 Lightning ProvsRivian R1T Dual-MotorHyundai Kona Electric SEL (Long Range)vsHyundai Kona SE (gas)Hyundai Kona Electric SEL (Long Range)vsKia Niro EV WindKia EV9 Light Long Range RWD (electric)vsToyota Grand Highlander Hybrid LE FWDAudi e-tron GT quattro (electric)vsPorsche Taycan (electric)BMW i5 eDrive40 (electric)vsMercedes-Benz EQE 350+ (electric)Porsche Macan Electric (base RWD)vsAudi Q6 e-tron (base RWD, electric)Rivian R1S Dual-Motor (Standard Pack)vsCadillac EscaladeRivian R1S Dual-Motor (Standard Pack)vsRivian R1T Dual-Motor

Colorado cost by model

Electric

Tesla Model 3 Premium RWDElectric$53,9115-yr costTesla Model Y RWDElectric$56,7215-yr costTesla Model Y Long Range AWDElectric$58,6095-yr costChevrolet Equinox EV LTElectric$49,4415-yr costChevrolet Bolt EUV (used)Electric$44,4585-yr costHyundai Ioniq 5 SEElectric$48,2485-yr costHyundai Ioniq 6 SEElectric$53,3885-yr costKia EV6 WindElectric$55,3195-yr costKia Niro EV WindElectric$52,0295-yr costFord Mustang Mach-E SelectElectric$54,3685-yr costFord F-150 Lightning ProElectric$66,1755-yr costVolkswagen ID.4 ProElectric$54,7045-yr costNissan Ariya EngageElectric$54,8365-yr costNissan Leaf SV+Electric$45,0295-yr costRivian R1T Dual-MotorElectric$78,4835-yr costTesla Cybertruck AWDElectric$84,3935-yr costChevrolet Silverado EV LT Extended RangeElectric$79,7955-yr costBMW i4 eDrive35Electric$65,0555-yr costHonda Prologue EXElectric$61,0795-yr costSubaru Solterra PremiumElectric$59,5515-yr costToyota bZ XLE (electric)Electric$47,1525-yr costCadillac Lyriq Luxury (electric)Electric$74,5725-yr costPorsche Taycan (electric)Electric$106,6365-yr costTesla Model S Long Range (electric)Electric$92,5495-yr costLucid Air Pure (electric)Electric$80,0665-yr costMercedes-Benz EQS 450+ (electric)Electric$132,0105-yr costBMW i7 xDrive60 (electric)Electric$148,8245-yr costRivian R1S Dual-Motor (Standard Pack)Electric$95,9675-yr costKia EV9 Light Long Range RWD (electric)Electric$70,4325-yr costAudi e-tron GT quattro (electric)Electric$122,2805-yr costHyundai Kona Electric SEL (Long Range)Electric$50,1115-yr costBMW i5 eDrive40 (electric)Electric$91,2575-yr costMercedes-Benz EQE 350+ (electric)Electric$96,1465-yr costPorsche Macan Electric (base RWD)Electric$88,5985-yr costAudi Q6 e-tron (base RWD, electric)Electric$75,2905-yr cost2026 Chevrolet Blazer EV FWDElectric$56,4565-yr cost2026 Audi Q4 45 e-tronElectric$60,5075-yr cost2026 Tesla Model 3 PerformanceElectric$63,2585-yr cost2026 Tesla Model 3 Premium AWDElectric$57,4825-yr cost2026 Volvo EX30 Single motor extended rangeElectric$51,4195-yr cost2026 Fiat 500eElectric$48,9555-yr cost2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 RWDElectric$67,7275-yr cost2026 Volvo EX90 Twin MotorElectric$84,0005-yr cost

Plug-in hybrid

Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid SEPlug-in hybrid$43,3855-yr cost

Hybrid

Toyota Camry Hybrid LEHybrid$37,3875-yr costToyota Prius LE (hybrid)Hybrid$34,5255-yr costToyota RAV4 Hybrid LEHybrid$38,3475-yr costHonda CR-V Hybrid SportHybrid$41,4545-yr costToyota Grand Highlander Hybrid LE FWDHybrid$44,8545-yr costLexus NX 350h (hybrid)Hybrid$49,0405-yr cost2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid AWDHybrid$47,3985-yr cost

Gas

Honda Civic LX (gas)Gas$35,5485-yr costToyota Corolla LE (gas)Gas$34,5395-yr costToyota RAV4 LE (gas)Gas$40,2045-yr costHonda CR-V LX (gas)Gas$40,5225-yr costHonda Accord LX (gas)Gas$38,7855-yr costFord F-150 XLT (gas)Gas$52,4745-yr costLand Rover Range Rover P400 SEGas$134,0545-yr costPorsche CayenneGas$94,7865-yr costBMW X7 xDrive40iGas$102,4605-yr costMercedes-Benz G-Class G550Gas$132,7125-yr costCadillac EscaladeGas$111,5165-yr costHyundai Kona SE (gas)Gas$38,3655-yr costRam 1500 Tradesman Quad CabGas$51,4855-yr costChevrolet Silverado 1500 WT (gas)Gas$50,0745-yr costToyota Tacoma SRGas$42,8885-yr costGMC Sierra 1500 ProGas$50,5285-yr costNissan Rogue S FWDGas$44,1305-yr costJeep Grand Cherokee LaredoGas$54,5805-yr costLexus RX 350 (gas)Gas$52,1145-yr costGenesis GV70 2.5T AWDGas$59,2315-yr costBMW X5 xDrive40iGas$75,4745-yr costMercedes-Benz GLE 350 4MATICGas$72,1955-yr costLexus GX 550 PremiumGas$64,9685-yr costAcura MDX (base FWD)Gas$62,6375-yr cost2026 Honda Pilot FWDGas$51,3875-yr cost2026 Ford Explorer RWDGas$49,0065-yr cost2026 Jeep Wrangler 4dr 4WDGas$51,4735-yr cost2026 Ford Bronco Sport 4WDGas$44,0445-yr cost2026 MINI Countryman S All4Gas$47,6125-yr cost

Car insurance in Colorado

In Colorado, drivers spent an average of $1,453 a year on auto insurance — a state average across all drivers, not a quote for any one car or driver (NAIC, 2023, the latest published figure; premiums have moved since).

Electric cars typically cost more to insure. Insurify found EVs run about 42% more than comparable gas cars across all model years, and 18% more for 2024-and-newer models (modeled at a standard driver profile, June 2026).

EVCostIQ's 5-year totals use our own labeled per-model insurance estimate for each car — not this average. See how EV insurance affects the 5-year cost.

FAQ

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

Usually not at typical mileage, as of July 2026: the cheapest model we track in Colorado is the Toyota Prius LE (a hybrid) at $34,525 over 5 years, while the cheapest electric — the Chevrolet Bolt EUV (used) at $44,458 — runs about $9,933 more. High mileage or cheap home charging can flip it; each comparison page shows exactly when.

Which EV is cheapest to own in Colorado?

As of July 2026, the Chevrolet Bolt EUV (used) — about $44,458 over 5 years all-in: depreciation, charging (including losses), insurance, maintenance, registration fees and financing.

What do electricity and gas cost in Colorado right now?

Our totals use 16.5¢/kWh for home electricity (EIA) and $3.70/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 $7,500 EV credit expired Sept 30, 2025 and is not applied.

How much does it cost to charge an EV in Colorado?

About $5 per 100 miles at home at Colorado's residential rate (16.5¢/kWh, EIA), including the ~12% charging loss — using a Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD as the reference. See the cost to charge in every state.

How much is car insurance in Colorado?

In Colorado, drivers spent an average of about $1,453 a year on auto insurance (NAIC, 2023 — the latest published figure; a state average across all drivers, not a quote for a specific car or driver, and premiums have moved since). Electric cars typically cost more to insure — Insurify found EVs run about 42% more than comparable gas cars across all model years, and 18% for 2024-and-newer models (modeled at a standard driver profile, June 2026). EVCostIQ's 5-year totals use our own labeled per-model insurance estimate for each car, not this average.

EV vs gas cost in other states