Methodology & sources

The Tesla vs Gas Cost Calculator runs entirely in your browser on a transparent, year-by-year model. Every default is sourced; nothing is invented. Inputs are fully editable — these are starting points, not claims about your situation.

The model

For each vehicle we compute annual cost across the ownership horizon and accumulate a true net cost of ownership:

• Net cost to date = depreciation + financing interest paid + running costs (energy, maintenance, insurance, EV fees, FSD) + one-time costs (sales tax, charger install, minus incentives), measured against resale value.
• Financing uses standard loan amortization (PMT) with editable APR and term.
• Depreciation is front-loaded: a larger first-year drop, then a gentler decline calibrated to the 5-year retention figure.
• Energy: EV kWh = miles × efficiency × (1 + charging loss), split between home and Supercharger rates; gas = miles ÷ MPG × gas price. Both can be inflated forward each year. Electricity is your single all-in rate ($/kWh) straight off your bill.
• Maintenance is itemized, not a flat per-mile guess: 15 real services (oil, air/cabin filters, spark plugs, transmission, coolant, brake fluid, brake pads & rotors, tire rotation, tire replacement, alignment, 12V battery, inspection) each modeled by its own interval and 2026 cost. EVs correctly skip oil, spark plugs, transmission, emissions and air-filter service; EV tires are modeled wearing ~20% faster (heavier + instant torque) and costing more.
• EV fees & incentives are state-specific: pick your state and the annual EV registration surcharge, any one-time fee, and current state incentive auto-fill (all 50 states + DC). Federal credit defaults to $0 (terminated 9/30/2025).
• Break-even year is the first year the Tesla's net cost falls at or below the gas car's.

Default values & sources (June 2026)

• Vehicle efficiency & range — fueleconomy.gov (EPA), pulled live per trim.
• Tesla MSRPs, FSD ($99/mo), financing promos — manufacturer pricing, June 2026.
• Gas & Supercharger prices — AAA (US regular ~$3.42–3.93/gal); Supercharging ~$0.28/kWh (US average $0.22–0.25 + peak). Electricity — EIA (US residential ~$0.17/kWh).
• Maintenance intervals & costs — AAA "Your Driving Costs", Consumer Reports, and 2026 service-cost data; EV tire-wear premium from Michelin/Bridgestone/J.D. Power.
• Insurance — Insurify / insurance.com 2026, per Tesla model (Model Y ~$3,900, Model 3 ~$4,200, S/X ~$4,900, Cybertruck ~$4,500) vs a comparable gas car (~$2,200); Teslas run ~37–48% higher.
• Depreciation — Recharged / CarEdge 2026 (Tesla ~40% / gas ~45% over 5 years, front-loaded).
• EV fees & incentives — NCSL / AFDC EV registration-fee tables (all 50 states + DC, ~$0–$267/yr) and state energy offices; IRS (federal 30D credit terminated 9/30/2025).

What we don't do

We don't apply incentives that no longer exist, we don't assume free Supercharging, and we don't hide depreciation or insurance to make the EV look better. If the gas car is cheaper for your inputs, the calculator says so.

Estimates for general information only — not financial advice. Verify current prices, rates, and tax rules for your situation before purchasing.