Financial Savings
Fuel Cost Savings
Yearly Savings
Fuel costs can vary significantly depending on a vehicle's powertrain. The example below compares the Kia Niro Hybrid, Plug-In Hybrid, and EV with the Kia Seltos, a similarly sized crossover SUV and one of the closest gasoline-powered alternatives in Kia's lineup. Using current Maine fuel and electricity prices, all three Niro models cost less to operate than the Seltos, with annual fuel savings ranging from approximately $630 to $680. These lower operating costs can help offset vehicle ownership expenses and contribute to long-term savings for drivers.
Kia Niro EV
12,000 miles/year
÷ 113 MPGe
= 106 gallon equivalent
× 33.7 kWh
= 3,580 kWh
× $0.26/kWh
≈ $931/year
Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid
12,000 miles/year
÷ 108 MPGe
= 111 gallon equivalent
× 33.7 kWh
= 3,744 kWh
× $0.26/kWh
≈ $973/year
Kia Niro Hybrid
12,000 miles/year
÷ 53 MPG
= 226 gallons
× $4.15/gallon
≈ $940/year
Kia Seltos (Gas)
12,000 miles/year
÷ 31 MPG
= 387 gallons
× $4.15/gallon
≈ $1,606/year
For a more personalized estimate of vehicle ownership costs, the Alternative Fuels Data Center's Vehicle Cost Calculator allows users to compare vehicles based on their specific driving habits, fuel prices, annual mileage, and other preferences. The tool provides customized estimates of fuel costs and total cost of ownership for a variety of vehicle types.
Stability Considerations
The graph shows average monthly retail fuel prices in the United States from 2011 to 2022. While gasoline and diesel prices experienced significant fluctuations during this period, electricity prices remained comparatively stable and predictable. This relative price stability can help electric vehicle drivers avoid the fuel-cost volatility commonly associated with petroleum-based fuels.
Maine Fuel & Electricity Prices
Explore current gasoline and electricity prices in Maine. These tools provide up-to-date information that can help drivers compare transportation fuel costs and better understand the economics of driving electric.
Compare Cost & Emissions
Carbon Counter is an interactive vehicle comparison tool developed by the MIT Trancik Lab that helps consumers evaluate vehicles based on two key factors: lifetime greenhouse gas emissions and total cost of ownership. The main graphic displays hundreds of vehicle models as colored dots on a chart, allowing users to compare the environmental and financial impacts of different vehicle technologies at a glance.
Each dot represents a specific vehicle model. The horizontal axis shows the vehicle's estimated lifetime greenhouse gas emissions, while the vertical axis shows its lifetime ownership cost, including vehicle purchase price, fuel or electricity costs, maintenance, and other operating expenses. Vehicles that appear farther to the left generally have lower emissions, while vehicles lower on the chart tend to have lower overall costs.
The dots are color-coded by vehicle type:
-
Yellow – Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
-
Red – Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)
-
Pink – Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)
-
Black – Conventional Gasoline Vehicles
-
Grey- Diesel Vehicles
Users can hover over any dot to view detailed information about the vehicle, including its emissions, ownership costs, fuel economy, and vehicle specifications.
Lines link vehicles that are considered comparable in size, performance, and functionality. For example, a gasoline SUV may be connected to a battery electric SUV with similar passenger and cargo capacity. These connections help users identify realistic alternatives when considering a vehicle purchase. Rather than comparing completely different vehicle classes, users can see how switching from a gasoline vehicle to a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or electric model affects both emissions and costs.
The tool also includes a variety of filters and customization options.
-
Under "Filters" users can sort vehicles by: Vehicle class (sedan, SUV, pickup, etc.), powertrain type (gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric), drive type, and horsepower.
-
By selecting the "Customize" Tab, users can adjust assumptions such as: Annual driving distance, vehicle lifetime, gasoline prices, electricity prices, regional electricity generation mix, and charging behavior
As these assumptions are changed, the positions of the dots update to reflect how costs and emissions would change under different real-world conditions. This allows users to explore how factors such as higher gasoline prices, cleaner electricity, or increased annual mileage can influence the advantages of electric and hybrid vehicles.
Overall, Carbon Counter provides a data-driven way to compare vehicles and understand the tradeoffs.