10 EV Alternatives That Will Save You at the Pump and help environment

By Sam Stebbins  •  May 18, 2026
an electric car plugged in to a charging station
Photo by Eren Goldman on Unsplash

More than two months have passed since the regime in Iran effectively shut down commercial traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping channel for approximately 20% of the world’s oil. The resulting supply shock has oil prices soaring around the globe. In the United States, the economic consequences have been felt most acutely at the pump. 

According to the Energy Information Administration, the average price of a gallon of gas is now about $4.50 in the United States, a more than 50% increase since late February, before the U.S. and Israel began a joint military campaign in Iran. With gas prices at historic highs, a growing number of Americans are seeking out ways to avoid the gas station – whether by carpooling, taking public transit, or switching to an electric vehicle. 

A recent report from Cox Automotive shows that new electric vehicle sales topped 82,600 units in March 2026, a 20% increase from February. In the used EV market, improvements were even more pronounced, with unit sales rising 53.9% from the previous month and 27.7% year over year. While EVs typically have higher sticker prices than their internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts, electricity is far cheaper than gasoline, which can save EV owners thousands of dollars in driving costs over the years. 

Using data from AAA, Climate Crisis 247 identified the difference in driving costs between ICE vehicles and comparable EV models. Calculations were made using the average cost of a gallon of regular gasoline and the average cost of a kilowatt hour of electricity in the U.S. as of May 15, 2026, as reported by AAA. Fuel and charging rates were matched with vehicle efficiency, as reported by the auto industry publication Car and Driver. Estimated fuel and charging expense forecasts are based on average annual driving distance per vehicle and average length of ownership for a new vehicle, according to a study conducted by iSeeCars and data from the U.S. Department of Energy. The makes and models on this list are ranked by the average difference between fuel and charging expenses.

Among the 10 ICE vehicles and EV alternatives on this list, Americans can save as much $12,000 on fuel over their ownership lifetime, assuming steady gas and electricity prices. While savings at the pump are not always enough to compensate for higher EV sticker prices, other factors – including lower maintenance costs – offer EV owners additional savings. 

A red Chevrolet Silverado 1500 parked in a rustic driveway surrounded by lush forest and cottage.
Photo by Mr. Location Scout on Pexels

10. Chevrolet Silverado vs. Chevrolet Silverado EV

  • EV model estimated fuel expenditure savings during ownership: $2,306 ($275 per year)
  • Estimated annual charging cost for Silverado EV: $2,499
  • Estimated annual fuel cost for Silverado: $2,774
  • Combined fuel economy comparison: 62 MPGe for Silverado EV; 18 MPG for Silverado
  • Base MSRP comparison: $71,695 for Silverado EV; $38,345 for Silverado

9. Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs. Mercedes-Benz EQE

  • EV model estimated fuel expenditure savings during ownership: $3,357 ($400 per year)
  • Estimated annual charging cost for Mercedes EQE: $1,597
  • Estimated annual fuel cost for Mercedes E-Class: $1,997
  • Combined fuel economy comparison: 97 MPGe for Mercedes EQE; 25 MPG for Mercedes E-Class
  • Base MSRP comparison: $66,300 for Mercedes EQE; $65,150 for Mercedes E-Class

8. Dodge Charger vs. Dodge Charger EV

  • EV model estimated fuel expenditure savings during ownership: $3,479 ($414 per year)
  • Estimated annual charging cost for Charger EV: $2,214
  • Estimated annual fuel cost for Charger: $2,628
  • Combined fuel economy comparison: 70 MPGe for Charger EV; 19 MPG for Charger
  • Base MSRP comparison: $61,990 for Charger EV; $51,990 for Charger

7. GMC Sierra vs. GMC Sierra EV

  • EV model estimated fuel expenditure savings during ownership: $3,676 ($438 per year)
  • Estimated annual charging cost for Sierra EV: $2,499
  • Estimated annual fuel cost for Sierra: $2,937
  • Combined fuel economy comparison: 62 MPGe for Sierra EV; 17 MPG for Sierra
  • Base MSRP comparison: $64,995 for Sierra EV; $39,745 for Sierra

6. Chevrolet Equinox vs. Chevrolet Equinox EV

  • EV model estimated fuel expenditure savings during ownership: $4,078 ($486 per year)
  • Estimated annual charging cost for Chevrolet Equinox EV: $1,435
  • Estimated annual fuel cost for Chevrolet Equinox: $1,920
  • Combined fuel economy comparison: 108 MPGe for Equinox EV; 26 MPG for Equinox
  • Base MSRP comparison: $36,795 for Equinox EV; $30,795 for Equinox

5. Ford F-150 vs. Ford F-150 Lightning

  • EV model estimated fuel expenditure savings during ownership: $4,949 ($589 per year)
  • Estimated annual charging cost for F-150 Lightning: $2,348
  • Estimated annual fuel cost for F-150: $2,937
  • Combined fuel economy comparison: 66 MPGe for F-150 Lightning; 17 MPG for F-150
  • Base MSRP comparison: $52,375 for F-150 Lightning; $40,085 for F-150

4. Chevrolet Blazer vs. Chevrolet Blazer EV

  • EV model estimated fuel expenditure savings during ownership: $6,412 ($763 per year)
  • Estimated annual charging cost for Blazer EV: $1,614
  • Estimated annual fuel cost for Blazer: $2,377
  • Combined fuel economy comparison: 96 MPGe for Blazer EV; 21 MPG for Blazer
  • Base MSRP comparison: $46,495 for Blazer EV; $36,295 for Blazer

3. BMW X5 vs. BMW iX

  • EV model estimated fuel expenditure savings during ownership: $6,578 ($783 per year)
  • Estimated annual charging cost for BMW iX: $1,845
  • Estimated annual fuel cost for BMW X5: $2,628
  • Combined fuel economy comparison: 84 MPGe for BMW iX; 19 MPG for BMW X5
  • Base MSRP comparison: $76,600 for BMW iX; $69,750 for BMW X5

2. Ford Mustang vs. Ford Mustang Mach-E

  • EV model estimated fuel expenditure savings during ownership: $6,938 ($826 per year)
  • Estimated annual charging cost for Mustang Mach-E: $1,802
  • Estimated annual fuel cost for Mustang: $2,628
  • Combined fuel economy comparison: 86 MPGe for Mustang Mach-E; 19 MPG for Mustang
  • Base MSRP comparison: $39,840 for Mustang Mach-E; $34,635 for Mustang

1. Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs. Jeep Wagoneer S

  • EV model estimated fuel expenditure savings during ownership: $12,216 ($1,454 per year)
  • Estimated annual charging cost for Wagoneer S: $1,666
  • Estimated annual fuel cost for Grand Wagoneer: $3,120
  • Combined fuel economy comparison: 93 MPGe for Wagoneer S; 16 MPG for Grand Wagoneer
  • Base MSRP comparison: $67,195 for Wagoneer S; $66,790 for Grand Wagoneer


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