Total cost of ownership

Every cost.
Every dollar.

Drive Economics is an independent resource for understanding what electric, hybrid, and gas vehicles really cost to own. Explore vehicle specifications, side-by-side comparisons, ownership-cost analysis, real-world case studies, incentives, utility rates, and interactive calculators — all designed to help you make a better-informed vehicle decision.

From purchase price and financing to fuel or electricity, insurance, maintenance, depreciation, and incentives, we examine every major cost of ownership using trusted government, utility, and manufacturer data.

Illustrative comparison 5-year total cost · California · 12,000 mi/yr
Electric

Tesla Model 3
Long Range

$0

Net 5-year cost

  • Purchase$42,990
  • Electricity$3,500
  • Maintenance$2,400
  • Insurance$9,200
  • Incentives−$7,500
  • Resale value−$22,000
Gasoline

Toyota Camry
XSE V6

$0

Net 5-year cost

  • Purchase$33,400
  • Gasoline$11,800
  • Maintenance$4,500
  • Insurance$8,100
  • Incentives$0
  • Resale value−$19,500

Electric saves $0 over 5 years

Sample figures only. Run your own scenario for an accurate result.

Run your comparison See the methodology

The crossover moment

When does the math flip?

An EV usually costs more to buy. A gas car usually costs more to run. Somewhere along the ownership timeline, the cumulative cost lines cross — and the EV becomes the cheaper option. Drive Economics calculates that crossover point for any pair of vehicles you compare.

$60k $45k $30k $15k $0 Y0 Y1 Y2 Y3 Y4 Y5 CROSSOVER · YEAR 3.2 EV becomes cheaper Gas $59,500 EV $55,000

Illustrative scenario. Your crossover point depends on your vehicles, electricity rate, gas price, annual mileage, and available incentives. The calculators will compute yours exactly.

The methodology

Why most calculators get it wrong.

Most vehicle cost calculators are built by automakers, dealer associations, or advocacy groups. The math reflects who paid for it. A gas-industry calculator buries home charging install costs. An EV-advocacy calculator assumes the best-case incentive and the cheapest off-peak electricity rate.

Drive Economics is independent. We pull live gas prices from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Live electricity rates from your utility. Live incentive data from federal and state programs. We update vehicle specs from EPA. And we publish every assumption.

Unbiased analysis. Informed decisions.

Read the full methodology →

What's included

Every line item, accounted for.

You pay

  • Purchase price & sales tax
  • Financing & interest
  • Fuel or electricity
  • Routine maintenance
  • Repairs beyond warranty
  • Insurance
  • Registration & inspection
  • Home charging install
  • Depreciation

You get back

  • Federal tax credit (currently inactive in U.S.)
  • State & utility rebates
  • Lower maintenance (EVs)
  • Resale value
  • HOV access & parking perks
  • Fuel cost avoidance

The tools

Calculators. Resource Library.

Calculator

EV Cost

Total cost to own and operate any electric vehicle in your state.

Featured

EV vs. Gas

Side-by-side comparison of any electric and any gas vehicle across the full ownership period.

Database

Incentives & Rebates

Federal, state, and utility programs you actually qualify for.

Reference

Utility Rates

Time-of-use rates, EV plans, and your home's charging cost per mile.

Library

Case Studies

Real owners, real numbers, real receipts. No marketing.