Study: The amount of money saved on fuel for electric vehicles varies depending on location and prior vehicle driven.

Electric vs Gas Vehicles: Which Saves You More Money?

Switching from a gas vehicle to an electric model can yield significant savings on fuel costs and other expenses, but how much you save depends heavily on where you live. The latest Energy.gov Fact of the Week (FotW) shows that people in some states only save a few cents per mile, while others could save almost $0.20 or more. The data came from Argonne National Laboratory and estimates the fuel cost savings per mile on a zip code level across the United States. Places with lower electricity and higher fuel costs saved the most, while others saw fewer cost reductions.

### Varied Savings Across the US
The most significant improvements came for drivers on the West Coast and Pacific Northwest, but people in New England and the East Coast cut just $0.06 per mile or less. Argonne attributes some of those savings differences to utilities costs, but the lab also said that drivers in some of the highest-saving states could also be more likely to drive large trucks or SUVs, which would yield a greater cost reduction when switching to an EV.

### Comparison of Electric and Gas Models
Electric models remain consistently more expensive than their gas counterparts across the board, making it hard for EV buyers to see any actual savings during their ownership period. This illustrates the difficulties associated with trying to make up for EVs’ higher purchase prices in fuel savings. Many people believe the switch to electric will pay for itself over a short time, but the payback period could take years, with some vehicles taking longer than many people want to keep them.

### Challenges of EV Ownership
Argonne’s study does not include plug-in hybrid vehicles, and it doesn’t take into account any incentives provided by automakers or the government. Many companies offer free charging or credits toward charging that could make the process much cheaper for a time, but owners eventually have to plug into the public network and pay for charging.

### Considerations for Prospective EV Buyers
Prospective EV buyers should consider the cost savings potential based on their location and current vehicle usage before making the switch. While some states offer significant savings on fuel costs by switching to an electric model, others may not yield as much in savings. Additionally, researching incentives and discounts provided by automakers or the government can help reduce the overall cost of ownership over time.

### Conclusion
In conclusion, while switching from a gas vehicle to an electric model can save money on fuel costs, the amount saved varies widely depending on factors such as location, vehicle type, and incentives. It’s important for prospective EV buyers to carefully consider these factors before making a purchase to ensure that the switch to electric is financially beneficial in the long run.

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