EV vs gas cost in California
Current fuel prices: $5.63/gal gasoline (state average, week of 2026-08-31) and 34.74¢/kWh residential electricity (2026-06). Typical EV: 37 kWh/100mi.
Monthly fuel cost — 1,000 miles
Typical EV (home charging)
$129
$0.129/mi
25 MPG gas car
$225
$0.225/mi
30 MPG gas car
$188
$0.188/mi
35 MPG gas car
$161
$0.161/mi
Yearly savings with an EV in California
| Compared to | Fuel for 12,000 mi/yr | EV fuel for 12,000 mi/yr | Yearly saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 MPG gas car | $2,703 | $1,542 | $1,160 |
| 30 MPG gas car | $2,252 | $1,542 | $710 |
| 35 MPG gas car | $1,931 | $1,542 | $388 |
California fuel FAQ
Is an EV actually cheaper to fuel in California?
Yes. At $5.63/gal, a 30 MPG car costs $0.188 per mile in gas, while a typical EV costs $0.129 per mile charged at home (34.74¢/kWh). That's roughly $0.059 saved per mile — about $710 per year at 12,000 miles.
How much gas does the average driver use in California?
At 1,000 miles/month in a 30 MPG car, 33 gallons/month (400 gallons/year). The same miles in a typical EV use 370 kWh/month of electricity.
Is California gas expensive compared to other states?
California ranks #51 of 51 (1 = cheapest gas). The national spread runs from Texas at $3.69 to California at $5.63 per gallon. The higher your gas price, the faster an EV pays for its price premium.