EV vs Gas in California: Yearly Cost (2026)
An electric car in California costs about $1,478 a year to run, including the $121 state EV fee, compared with $2,412 of gas for a 30 mpg car – the EV saves about $935 a year (6 of 51 for EV savings).
12,000 mi/yr, 3.5 mi/kWh, 85% home charging at 33.61¢/kWh, gas $6.03/gal. Change any number below.
California EV registration fee
| Battery-electric (BEV) | $121.00 / year |
| Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) | None |
Road Improvement Fee on model-year 2020+ zero-emission vehicles, charged at renewal and indexed to inflation (DMV lists $127 from January 1, 2027). Not charged on a new ZEV’s first registration.
Source: www.dmv.ca.gov, checked October 24, 2026. This fee is indexed or recently changed – confirm the current amount with your state DMV before relying on it.
Charging at home vs public chargers
Charging only at home, the EV would cost about $1,401 a year in California. Every 10% of miles moved to public fast chargers (about $0.48/kWh) adds roughly $51 a year. See the cost per charge for popular models in EV charging cost in California.
Nearby states
- Oregon: EV $930 vs gas $2,003 a year
- Washington: EV $970 vs gas $2,133 a year
Frequently asked questions
Is an EV cheaper than gas in California?
Yes. Driving 12,000 miles a year, an EV costs about $1,478 ($1,357 of electricity plus the $121 state EV fee) versus $2,412 of gas for a 30 mpg car – a difference of $935 a year.
How much is the EV registration fee in California?
$121.00 a year for a battery-electric vehicle; plug-in hybrids do not pay it, on top of normal registration. Road Improvement Fee on model-year 2020+ zero-emission vehicles, charged at renewal and indexed to inflation (DMV lists $127 from January 1, 2027). Not charged on a new ZEV’s first registration.
What gas price makes an EV and a gas car cost the same in California?
About $3.69 a gallon for a 30 mpg car, counting charging and the EV fee. Gas is currently $6.03.
Electricity: EIA Electric Power Monthly (July 2026). Gasoline: EIA weekly retail prices, week of 2026-10-19. Estimates only; excludes purchase price, insurance and maintenance.