How to use this calculator

Enter your purchase scenario above. Defaults pre-fill from your selected state's average residential electricity rate (EIA monthly) and average regular-grade gasoline price (EIA weekly retail). The federal $7,500 / $4,000 credit is applied to the first-year price delta only when you mark eligibility — the calculator does not validate IRS rules; for that, use the eligibility checker.

What this calculator excludes (and why)

Financing costs. Loan APR varies widely; a separate amortization input would dwarf the EV-vs-gas signal we're trying to surface. Run the same purchase price through any auto-loan calculator to layer financing on.
Maintenance differential. EVs avoid oil changes, brake wear (regen), and most exhaust-system service, but battery liquid coolant, tire wear (heavier vehicles), and 12V battery service still apply. We exclude this to keep the model honest — see our methodology page.
Insurance. EV insurance premiums in most US markets run 10–20% higher than equivalent ICE due to higher repair and parts costs. A dedicated insurance calculator is on the Phase 2 roadmap.

Where the data comes from

Electricity rates: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) "Electric Power Monthly," residential average, refreshed quarterly. Gas prices: EIA "Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update," regular grade weekly retail, refreshed monthly into our seed set. Vehicle MSRPs and EPA-rated efficiency: fueleconomy.gov + manufacturer specifications. Federal incentive logic: IRS Section 30D and 25E. State and utility incentives: state energy office and DSIRE database; utility programs verified per-program.

Reviewed by Mr. Bandi · Editorial Reviewer. Methodology, source verification, and update cadence checked. Last verified 2026-04-27. About the reviewer →

Federal EV Tax Credit Eligibility Checker