Built by an EV owner, for people still deciding
I got a Kia EV9, went through two years of confusion figuring out charging, costs, and real-world ownership — then built this so the next person doesn't have to start from scratch.
After I got my EV9, four friends and coworkers bought one too — partly based on my experience. I helped each of them set up Level 2 charging, navigate the connector confusion, and understand what their electricity rate actually meant for their monthly costs. That process is what turned a calculator side project into a full resource.
How this started
When I got my EV9, I had no idea what to expect from home charging — different connector types, Level 1 vs Level 2, whether a standard outlet would actually work, what the monthly electricity bill impact would look like. The information was scattered, the calculators were vague, and most of the advice online was written for Tesla owners.
That last part matters. Owning a non-Tesla EV is a different experience — the charging network options, connector compatibility, road trip planning all work differently. I spent two years figuring this out the hard way.
What this site is now
What started as a calculator idea grew into a more complete resource for the EV buying decision: real cost estimates using live government data, education on home charging setup, reality checks on range and public networks, and connections to licensed electricians for installation.
The calculator uses live data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration — actual state electricity rates updated monthly, actual gas prices updated weekly — because national averages are often meaningfully off from what you actually pay. A driver in California paying 30¢/kWh has completely different savings math than one in Wyoming paying 11¢.
Data sources
- EIA — Electricity ratesU.S. Energy Information Administration residential electricity rates by state. Published monthly. Pulled via the EIA API — the same source utilities reference.
- EIA — Gas pricesEIA retail gasoline prices by PADD region and state. Published weekly. Regional prices mapped to individual states when state-level data is unavailable.
- EPA — Vehicle efficiencyMPG and miles-per-kWh ratings from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov dataset. EPA combined-cycle ratings used as baseline, with a ±10–30% real-world variance note throughout.
- MSRP dataBase MSRP compiled from manufacturer websites and Edmunds. Updated periodically — always verify with a dealer for current pricing and available incentives.
What the calculator includes — and what it doesn't
The calculator estimates fuel costs only. It doesn't include purchase price, insurance, maintenance, financing, or depreciation. Those factors matter — but fuel is where EV savings are most consistent and most calculable from public data.
The break-even tool adds EV purchase premium and estimates how many years of fuel savings pay it back. These are informed estimates with real data behind them, not guarantees. Your actual costs depend on your utility, your driving style, and how much you charge at home vs. on public networks.
Editorial independence
This site is independent. No automaker, utility, or charging network funds or influences it. Revenue comes from:
- Affiliate commissions when readers buy home chargers or accessories through links (Amazon Associates and similar programs)
- Google AdSense display advertising
- Referral fees when readers request electrician quotes through the installer network
None of these affect calculator results, data sources, or guide content. If the math shows gas is cheaper for your situation, the calculator says so — and explains why.
Get in touch
Questions, data corrections, or feedback? Contact page or email hello@evchargesavings.com.
See how the numbers play out for your situation
Pick your EV, your current gas car, and your state — live EIA rates, real EPA efficiency data, instant result.
Open the calculator →EVs have ~20 moving parts vs 2,000+ in a gas engine