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For a typical new-car buyer in the United States, gasoline models were usually the least expensive overall in AAA’s 2026 matched-category comparison. Hybrids were the most dependable lower-cost alternative, while battery-electric vehicles (EVs) had the lowest energy cost but often lost their advantage to higher depreciation, financing and fees.
That is not a universal ranking. Your result can change with the exact models, purchase price after incentives, annual mileage, local gasoline and electricity prices, charging access, insurance, registration costs and resale value. The reliable way to choose is to compare equivalent vehicles over the same ownership period—not to compare a premium EV with a low-priced gasoline car and attribute the entire difference to powertrain.
What “total running cost” actually includes
People often use “running cost” to mean fuel or charging. A household budget needs a broader measure: the cost of owning and operating the vehicle over the time you keep it. That includes expenses you pay every month, every mile and at resale.
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- Financing: interest and related finance charges over the loan term.
- Energy: gasoline, home charging and public charging.
- Maintenance, repairs and tires: scheduled service, wear items and unscheduled work.
- Insurance: premiums for the specific vehicle and driver.
- License, registration and taxes: recurring government charges and any applicable vehicle taxes.
A five-year total-cost calculation normally uses depreciation rather than the full purchase price. You pay the purchase price at the start, but the portion you still retain as resale value is an asset, not a five-year cost. Financing is counted separately because interest is an expense even when the vehicle’s resale value is unchanged.
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What the latest matched comparison found
AAA’s 2026 Your Driving Costs analysis measured selected new EV, hybrid and gasoline models in four vehicle categories: medium sedans, compact SUVs, medium SUVs and pickup trucks. It assumed five years and 75,000 miles, then combined energy, maintenance and repairs, tires, depreciation, financing, insurance, registration, taxes and fees.
| Finding | AAA 2026 evidence | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|
| Average annual cost to own and operate a new vehicle | $12,863 | A study average across the selected vehicles and categories, not a quote for every model. |
| Largest ownership expense | $4,422 average annual depreciation | Purchase price and resale value can outweigh energy savings. |
| EV energy advantage | Charging cost was 66%–70% lower than gasoline fuel across the categories. | An across-category finding under the study’s assumptions, not a guarantee for every tariff, charger or vehicle. |
| Home-charging assumption | 18.0 cents per kilowatt-hour | Your utility rate, time-of-use plan and charging location may be different. |
| Gasoline assumption | $4.152 per gallon average at the time of analysis | Fuel prices change by state, season and date. |
AAA’s director of automotive engineering, Greg Brannon, said that comparing EVs, hybrids and traditional gasoline vehicles within the same categories helps consumers understand how total ownership costs vary by powertrain. He also emphasized looking at depreciation and other expenses rather than fuel alone.
AAA’s 2025 study reached the same directional conclusion with a different dataset. It assumed 15,000 miles per year for five years and reported an average annual ownership-and-operation cost of $11,577. EVs and hybrids had lower operating costs, particularly for fuel and maintenance, but EVs remained more expensive in ownership costs such as depreciation, insurance, fees and financing.
Why the cheapest energy does not always produce the cheapest car
Depreciation can dominate the calculation
Suppose an EV saves substantially on energy but loses much more value than a comparable gasoline or hybrid vehicle. That lost value is a real cost whether you pay cash or finance the vehicle. A larger purchase price also increases the amount that can be depreciated and may increase the interest paid on a loan.
Resale value is model-specific. Battery size, demand for the vehicle, new-model pricing, incentive changes and the condition and mileage at sale can all affect the result. Do not substitute a generic “EV resale value” or “hybrid resale value” for an estimate tied to the exact model and ownership period.
Energy prices and efficiency work together
Fuel cost depends on miles driven, fuel economy and the gasoline price. Charging cost depends on miles driven, the vehicle’s electricity consumption, the electricity rate and how much charging occurs at home or in public. A vehicle that is efficient but charged mostly at a high public rate may have a different result from the same vehicle charged at home on a lower tariff.
AAA’s 2026 EV result used 18.0 cents per kWh for home charging and a $4.152-per-gallon gasoline average. Those assumptions explain why the study found a large EV energy advantage; they do not establish a permanent national price ratio.
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Maintenance savings matter, but they are not the whole ownership cost
AAA’s 2025 summary described EVs as having lower operating costs, especially fuel and maintenance. Hybrids can also reduce gasoline consumption while retaining a conventional refueling routine. Maintenance schedules, tire wear, repair exposure and labor rates vary by model and location, so use the manufacturer schedule and local estimates for the vehicles you are actually considering.
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Insurance, registration and financing can change the order
Insurance is priced for the vehicle, driver, location and coverage—not simply for the powertrain label. Registration and taxes may also differ by state or municipality. Financing costs depend on the amount borrowed, term, rate and down payment. Include each quote in your comparison instead of applying one percentage to all three powertrains.
How the three powertrains usually behave in a cost comparison
| Powertrain | Typical cost strength in the cited evidence | Potential cost pressure | Best question to ask |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | Often the lowest total cost in AAA’s 2026 matched categories when purchase price and depreciation were favorable. | Fuel and routine maintenance can be higher, and fuel prices are volatile. | Is its lower purchase and expected depreciation large enough to offset energy and service costs? |
| Hybrid | Frequently the most consistent lower-cost alternative to gasoline, with lower fuel use and operating costs. | The hybrid version may cost more up front, and its resale, insurance and financing must be checked against the gasoline version. | What is the exact price premium, and how many miles will it take to recover it? |
| Battery-electric | Lowest energy cost in AAA’s comparison; charging was 66%–70% below gasoline fuel under its assumptions. | Higher depreciation, financing and fees can offset charging savings; public charging can cost more than home charging. | Can I charge mostly at home, and does the exact EV retain enough value to justify its purchase price? |
This table describes the direction of the cited comparisons, not a promise about every model. The relevant comparison is always vehicle-to-vehicle within a similar size, equipment level and use case.
Build your own five-year comparison
A personal worksheet is more useful than a national average because it exposes the variables that actually drive your result. Use the same ownership period and annual mileage for all candidates.
1. Define the vehicles and ownership period
- Select a gasoline model, its closest hybrid counterpart and an EV that serve the same purpose. Keep body style, seating, cargo capacity and equipment reasonably comparable.
- Choose an ownership period, such as five years, and an annual-mileage estimate. AAA’s 2026 framework used 75,000 miles over five years; use your own expected mileage if it differs.
- Record the transaction price for each vehicle, including destination charges and taxes that you will actually pay. Subtract only incentives for which you qualify and that apply to your transaction.
2. Estimate depreciation
- Find a realistic five-year resale estimate for the exact trim, not just the model name.
- Calculate
depreciation = purchase price after incentives − expected resale value. - Divide by the ownership years if you want an annual figure, but keep the five-year total for the final comparison.
Incentive rules and eligibility are date-sensitive. The U.S. Treasury and IRS reported more than $2 billion in cumulative upfront clean-vehicle savings through a 2024 release date; that is a reported policy result, not a current entitlement or a guaranteed amount for your purchase.
3. Calculate gasoline and hybrid fuel
Use the vehicle’s realistic combined fuel economy and your local price:
annual fuel cost = annual miles ÷ miles per gallon × gasoline price per gallon
For a hybrid, use the hybrid’s own fuel-economy rating and your expected driving mix. Stop-and-go traffic, winter conditions, high speeds, towing and loaded cargo can move actual consumption away from the rating.
4. Calculate EV charging
Use the vehicle’s electricity consumption and separate home and public charging:
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annual home-charging cost = annual miles ÷ miles per kWh × home-charging price per kWh
Then add public-charging sessions, charging-network fees and any parking or access charges. If your utility uses time-of-use pricing, use the rate during the hours you will actually charge rather than a simple monthly average.
AAA’s 18.0-cent-per-kWh assumption applies to home charging. It does not include your electrical upgrade or installation cost, and it does not describe every public-charging price.
5. Add maintenance, repairs, tires and insurance
- Use the manufacturer’s scheduled-maintenance plan for each model.
- Ask a dealer or independent shop for service, tire and common-repair estimates in your area.
- Obtain insurance quotes for identical coverage limits and deductibles.
- Include tire replacement timing if the vehicle’s weight, torque or tire size makes it materially different from the alternatives.
6. Add financing, registration and taxes
For each candidate, enter the actual loan amount, annual percentage rate, term and down payment. Add registration renewals, local taxes and any powertrain-specific fees. Do not assume that a lower monthly payment means a lower total cost; a longer term can increase interest.
7. Total the categories without double counting
| Five-year line item | Gasoline | Hybrid | EV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Depreciation | Enter model-specific estimate | Enter model-specific estimate | Enter model-specific estimate |
| Financing charges | Enter loan calculation | Enter loan calculation | Enter loan calculation |
| Fuel or charging | Fuel formula | Fuel formula | Home plus public charging formula |
| Maintenance, repairs and tires | Local estimate | Local estimate | Local estimate |
| Insurance | Quote | Quote | Quote |
| Registration, taxes and fees | Local estimate | Local estimate | Local estimate |
| Total five-year cost | Sum the rows | Sum the rows | Sum the rows |
Use “not stated” when a cost cannot be established yet, then obtain a quote before declaring a winner. Do not add the full purchase price to depreciation; that would count the value represented by the resale vehicle twice.
Home charging: the EV cost variable people underestimate
Home charging is central to the EV energy advantage, but the charger itself can add an upfront cost. A Level 2 home charger is the practical setup for many drivers who want faster overnight charging than a standard household outlet can provide. Before buying one, verify the vehicle’s connector compatibility, the charger’s electrical requirements, the capacity of your service panel, cable routing, weather protection, permits and local code requirements.
- Detached home: Confirm the panel has capacity and obtain an installation quote that includes conduit, distance and any service upgrade.
- Condominium or apartment: Get written approval, identify who pays for electricity and installation, and confirm whether assigned parking can be wired.
- Renter: Check whether a portable or shared solution is permitted and calculate public-charging costs before assuming home rates.
- Frequent travel: Map reliable fast-charging locations and use their posted prices in the worksheet.
Include installation and electrical work in the EV’s first-year cost. A charger does not automatically make an EV cheaper if most of your charging remains public or if the installation requires a costly service upgrade.
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High annual mileage
Driving more miles magnifies a per-mile energy difference. It can improve the case for an efficient hybrid or an EV, but only after the additional energy savings are compared with depreciation, financing and insurance for the specific vehicles.
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- HARDWIRED - PROFESSIONAL INSTALL: This Level 2 charger is hardwired (not plug-in), so a licensed electrician installs it per National Electrical Code. It delivers up to 48A on a dedicated 60A, 240V circuit - enough to charge most EVs fully overnight. Want more speed? You can set DIP switches 4 and 5 to unlock 50A on a dedicated 70A circuit. Before ordering, check your car's port type and that your electrical panel can support the circuit.
- CONTROL FROM YOUR PHONE: A stronger built-in antenna keeps the charger online even in a garage or basement. Use the free app to start and stop charging, set the charging speed (6-48A), get reminders, and track how much energy and money each charge uses. Requires a 2.4 GHz home WiFi network.
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Low annual mileage
Driving fewer miles gives fuel and charging savings less opportunity to recover a higher purchase price. Depreciation, insurance, registration and financing then make up a larger share of the total.
Cheap home electricity or expensive gasoline
An EV’s energy case strengthens when home electricity is inexpensive and gasoline is expensive. The reverse narrows the gap. Use your utility bill and current local gasoline price rather than a national average.
Mostly public charging
Public charging may be priced differently from home electricity and can include session, parking or membership fees. Model your actual charging pattern; do not apply the 18.0-cent home assumption to every kilowatt-hour.
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Strong or weak resale demand
A vehicle with a higher purchase price can still have an acceptable total cost if it retains value, while a heavily discounted vehicle can be expensive if resale is poor. Run at least a conservative and an optimistic resale case instead of relying on one forecast.
Incentives and policy changes
Clean-vehicle incentives can reduce the transaction price, but eligibility depends on the buyer, vehicle, income rules, location and transaction date. Confirm the rules with the relevant government agency or tax professional before including an incentive in your base case.
What the broader studies add
The U.S. Treasury’s 2024 discussion cited an Energy Innovation estimate of $1,750 in average annual fuel and maintenance savings for specific 2022 vehicle pairs. That estimate used stated fuel and electricity prices and should not be generalized to every buyer or model.
The University of Michigan Center for Sustainable Systems analyzed five vehicle classes in 17 U.S. cities using five charging strategies in 2026. Its scope illustrates why geography, vehicle class and charging behavior matter: a single national average cannot represent every combination.
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Common comparison mistakes
- Comparing unequal vehicles: A luxury EV against an economy gasoline car measures size, equipment and brand differences as well as powertrain.
- Counting only fuel: This ignores depreciation, interest, insurance, fees and resale value.
- Using a promotional energy price forever: State the rate, date and charging location attached to every assumption.
- Ignoring charging access: An EV that cannot be charged conveniently at home may rely on more expensive public sessions.
- Using one insurance quote for all cars: Obtain vehicle-specific quotes with the same coverage.
- Treating incentives as guaranteed: Eligibility and rules can change; document the agency, date and conditions.
- Double-counting the purchase: In a depreciation-based TCO model, do not add the full purchase price again.
- Assuming a five-year owner has the same result as a ten-year owner: The ownership horizon changes how depreciation, financing and maintenance are distributed.
A practical decision rule
- Start with the matched pair: Compare a gasoline model with its hybrid or EV counterpart in the same class and equipment level.
- Price the first day: Record transaction price after verified incentives, financing and any home-charging installation.
- Price every mile: Use your annual mileage, local energy rates and realistic charging split.
- Price the exit: Estimate resale value and depreciation for the date you expect to sell.
- Stress-test the result: Recalculate with lower mileage, higher public-charging use, different fuel prices and conservative resale.
- Choose the lowest total that still fits your life: A mathematically cheaper car is not a saving if it cannot meet your range, cargo, towing or charging needs.
For the evidence available today, the default choice for minimizing five-year cost is usually a sensibly priced gasoline model in the matched categories AAA studied. A hybrid is often the safer compromise when you want lower operating cost without depending on charging. An EV is most compelling when you can charge primarily at home, drive enough miles to use its energy advantage and select a model with a purchase price and resale outlook that keep depreciation under control.
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