High Gas Prices Got You Down? Here’s Why EV Drivers Are Smiling at the Pump
The last time the average American paid more than $4 a gallon for gas, it made national headlines. Today, that price is the new normal — and it’s nearly 34% higher than it was just one year ago.
EV drivers? They barely noticed.
While gas-powered drivers are spending over $60 to fill a 15-gallon tank, the average EV owner charging at home pays roughly $694 for an entire year of fuel — that’s not a typo.
And with the public charging network now spanning more than 248,000 ports across the U.S., range anxiety is quickly becoming a thing of the past — especially for road trippers.
Whether you’re already driving electric or just gas-price-curious, this guide breaks down exactly how much you can save, where to find the best EV deals right now, how to squeeze even more value out of every charge, and how the EV Connect app makes planning your next road trip as easy as plugging in.
How Much Does It Actually Cost to Fill Up vs. Charge Up?
Let’s start with a number everyone can picture: a 15-gallon fill-up at today’s national average of $4.26 per gallon runs you about $63.90 at the pump.
A comparable EV, charged at home overnight? That same range costs roughly $8–$13 — and a full year of driving costs the average American less than $700.
The math is straightforward: home EV charging runs about $0.03–$0.05 per mile, while gasoline costs $0.12–$0.18 per mile — three to four times more expensive.
And with gas prices sitting more than 33% higher than they were this time last year, that gap isn’t closing anytime soon.
How Much Money Can You Save in One Year by Driving an EV?
According to Qmerit’s 2026 EV charging cost analysis, the average American driver covers 13,489 miles per year — and the difference in what they pay for fuel depending on how they power their vehicle is striking.
Home-charging EV drivers spend roughly $694 annually on electricity. Gas drivers spend $2,420. That’s over $1,700 back in your pocket every year — just from ditching the pump.
| Fuel type | Energy used / year | Unit price | Annual fuel cost | Savings vs gasoline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | ~540 gallons | $4.48 / gal | ~$2,420 | — |
| Diesel | ~450 gallons | $5.64 / gal | ~$2,538 | –$118 |
| Electric (72 kWh battery) | ~3,854 kWh | $0.18 / kWh | ~$694 | +$1,726 |
Source: How Much Does EV Charging Cost? via Qmerit
What About Public Charging vs. Gas?
Home charging is the most affordable way to power an EV — but what if you’re on the road and need to plug in at a public station?
The honest answer: it depends on which type of charger you use. According to Qmerit’s cost breakdown, public Level 2 charging still saves EV drivers around $1,456 per year versus gas — while even DC fast charging comes in roughly $377 cheaper annually.
The table below puts all three scenarios side by side, so you can see exactly where your savings land based on how and where you charge.
| Metric | Level 2 Home Charging | Level 2 Public Charging | DC Fast Public Charging |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Cost per kWh | $0.18 | $0.25 | $0.53 |
| Average Cost per Charge (72 kWh) | $12.96 | $18.00 | $38.16 |
| Annual Charging Cost (13,489 miles) | $693.72 | $963.50 | $2,144 |
Source: How Much Does EV Charging Cost? via Qmerit
The takeaway is simple: home charging is the gold standard, and even public charging beats the pump in most scenarios.
The one exception worth knowing: if you’re on a long trip relying heavily on DC fast chargers, your per-mile cost can creep close to gas prices. That’s exactly why smart trip planning — and the right app — makes all the difference.
The Federal Tax Credit Is Gone — Here’s What Replaced It
Let’s get the big news out of the way first: the $7,500 federal EV tax credit expired on September 30, 2025, as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Federal clean vehicle purchase credits no longer apply to vehicles acquired after that date.
That’s not the whole story, though — and if you’re shopping for an EV right now, there’s still real money on the table.
Buyers of new, U.S.-assembled EVs can now deduct up to $10,000 per year in auto loan interest through 2028 under the new OBBBA deduction — a different kind of savings, but meaningful over the life of a loan.
And manufacturers haven’t sat still: EV sales are rebounding in June 2026, driven in part by sky-high gas prices and some of the steepest cash-back and lease deals the market has ever seen.
Where to Find the Best EV Deals in 2026
With the federal credit gone, state incentive programs have stepped into the spotlight — and several states significantly expanded their programs in late 2025 specifically to fill the gap.
Some of the strongest programs right now, per DriveAuthority’s April 2026 guide:
| State | Program | Up To |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | State tax credit + Vehicle Exchange Colorado (VXC) | Up to $9,000 |
| New Jersey | Charge Up NJ — point-of-sale rebate + sales-tax exemption | Up to $4,000 |
| Illinois | State EV rebate (stepping down in 2026) | Up to $4,000 |
| Massachusetts | MOR-EV rebate | Up to $3,500 |
| New York | Drive Clean Rebate — point-of-sale | Up to $2,000 |
| Oregon | Clean Vehicle + Charge Ahead rebates (income-qualified) | Several thousand |
There’s also one federal incentive still running — barely. The Section 30C home charger tax credit covers 30% of your installation cost, up to $1,000, for qualifying households. It expires June 30, 2026, so if you’re eligible, act fast.
Beyond state programs, don’t overlook manufacturer incentives — automakers have responded to the loss of the federal credit with financing deals, cash-back offers, and lease specials that can rival what buyers used to get from the government.
Since deals change monthly, the best move is to check the U.S. Department of Energy’s incentive finder and your state’s DMV or energy office before you buy. A few minutes of research can put thousands of dollars back in your pocket.
Charge Smart: How to Cut Your EV Fueling Costs Even Further
Buying an EV already dramatically cuts what you spend on fuel. But there’s still a meaningful difference between charging smart and charging carelessly — and the gap can add up to hundreds of dollars a year.
The single biggest lever: charge at home during off-peak hours. Most utilities offer time-of-use (TOU) rates that drop electricity costs to as low as $0.05–$0.10/kWh overnight — versus two to three times that during peak evening hours.
Simply scheduling your EV to charge between 9pm and 6am can save hundreds of dollars every year — no new hardware, no extra effort, just a setting change in your car’s app or your home charger.
The impact is real. In Virginia, for example, drivers on a TOU plan pay just $0.056/kWh overnight versus $0.11/kWh at peak — nearly 50% cheaper. Check with your utility to see if a TOU plan is available in your area.
Tips for Saving at Public Charging Stations
When you need to charge away from home, a little strategy goes a long way. Here’s how to keep public charging costs down:
- Use Level 2 chargers for routine top-ups and save DC fast charging for road trips — DCFC can cost three times more per kWh than L2.
- Hunt for free chargers first. Libraries, municipal buildings, hotels, and retail centers often offer complimentary L2 charging that’s less crowded than highway stations.
- Check the price before you plug in. NEVI-funded stations are required to display clear per-kWh pricing, so there are no surprises.
- Join network membership programs where available — discounted per-kWh rates for members can add up quickly if you charge publicly with any regularity.
- Use EVouchers when you can. Some EV Connect partner stations offer digital charging coupons that apply automatically at checkout through the app — free savings with zero extra steps.
Planning a Road Trip? Here’s What You Need to Know About Charging on the Go
The U.S. public charging network has grown to more than 288,000 charging ports across the country as of early 2026, and it’s expanding fast.
That includes destinations you might not expect — even National Parks are getting wired. If a scenic road trip is on your bucket list, it’s worth knowing which parks have chargers, what speeds they offer, and how to plan your route around them.
Our partner Qmerit put together a comprehensive guide answering exactly that: Do National Parks Have EV Chargers? It’s essential reading before your next adventure.
The Best App for Your EV Road Trip? It’s Already in Your Pocket.
Saving money at the charger is one thing. Actually finding the right charger — open, nearby, the right speed, priced fairly — is where a lot of road trips live or die.
The EV Connect app gives you access to more than 140,000 Level 2 and DC fast charging stations through the EV Connect Network and its roaming partnerships — all from a single app, with a single login.
No juggling five different apps at a highway rest stop. No creating accounts on unfamiliar networks mid-trip. Just open the app, find a station, plug in, and go.
What Is EV Roaming — and Why Does It Matter for Road Trips?
Roaming in the EV world works a lot like roaming on a cell network: your home network’s agreements let you access other networks’ infrastructure without needing a separate plan.
EV Connect’s roaming partnerships — built on the OCPI standard — mean that stations on the EV Connect network are discoverable across popular driver apps and OEM in-car navigation systems, and vice versa.
In practice, that means fewer dead ends on a long drive. Whether you’re navigating through a city, fueling up near a national park, or stopping at a suburban shopping center, the app surfaces what’s available — not just what’s on one network.
What You Can Do With the EV Connect App
Beyond finding stations, the app is built to make the entire charging experience easier — from planning the trip to paying at the charger.
- Find stations in real time — see which ports are open before you pull in, not after.
- Filter by what matters to you: charge speed (L2 or DC fast), network, price, and amenities nearby.
- Pay in-app — no separate card, no separate account on an unfamiliar network.
- Apply EVouchers automatically — if a discount is available at a partner station, it applies at checkout without any extra steps.
- Access 140,000+ stations through the EV Connect Network and roaming partnerships — one of the broadest footprints available to drivers today.
Ready to hit the road? Download the EV Connect app and find the right station for you, wherever the road takes you.
Frequently Asked Questions about EV Road Trips
Are EVs Good for Road Trips?
Yes — and 2026 is the best year yet to find out. The U.S. public charging network now spans more than 288,000 ports, including Level 2 and DC fast chargers at rest stops, retail centers, hotels, and even national parks.
Modern EVs also routinely offer 250–350+ miles of range per charge, which means most drivers only need one or two stops on a 500-mile trip — comparable to a gas car that needs two fill-ups, and far cheaper per stop.
What’s the Best App for Planning an EV Road Trip?
The EV Connect app is purpose-built for exactly this. Its roaming network gives drivers access to 140,000+ stations across multiple networks from a single login, with real-time availability so you know what’s open before you arrive.
For drivers venturing into less-charted territory — remote highways, national parks, rural routes — pair the app with Qmerit’s guide to EV charging at national parks so you know what to expect before you leave the driveway.
How Much Does It Cost to Charge an EV on a Road Trip?
It depends on your charging mix. Public DC fast charging typically runs around $0.53/kWh on average — which is still cheaper than gasoline at today’s prices in most scenarios, but noticeably more expensive than charging at home.
The smart move on any road trip: mix in free or low-cost Level 2 stops along your route — at hotels, restaurants, or shopping centers — and lean on DC fast charging only when speed matters. A little planning can cut your on-the-road charging bill significantly.
The Bottom Line: Gas Prices Go Up. Your EV Bill Doesn’t Have To.
Gas prices have always been unpredictable — tied to geopolitics, supply shocks, and market forces no driver can control. Your electricity rate, on the other hand, barely moves.
The average American driving an EV and charging at home spends around $694 a year on fuel. The average gas driver spends $2,420. Charge during off-peak hours and that gap gets even wider.
And with 140,000+ stations accessible through the EV Connect app — plus roaming partnerships that extend your reach across networks — the open road has never been more EV-friendly.
Whether you’re commuting across town or planning a cross-country road trip, the right charger is closer than you think. Download the EV Connect app and find it.
About EV Connect
EV Connect is a full-service EV charging partner, offering end-to-end support from incentive guidance and site assessment to commercial EV charging stations, charging station installation, EV charging software, and 24/7 customer support—all designed to simplify deployment and ensure long-term reliability and performance.
Our 16+ years of charging expertise bring it all together seamlessly, backed by Schneider Electric, the world’s most sustainable company.*
Request a Quote or Contact Us Today and find out why CPOs, OEMs, utilities, and more trust EV Connect to run their businesses!
*Schneider Electric was named “World’s Most Sustainable Company 2025” by TIME Magazine and Statista, and “World’s Most Sustainable Corporation 2025” by Corporate Knights.
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