10 States Where EV Drivers are Saving Amid Surging Gas Prices

By Sam Stebbins  •  May 15, 2026
a woman standing next to a blue car
Photo by JUICE on Unsplash

As automakers introduce a growing fleet of electric vehicles to the market, and EV sales surge globally, the United States hardly stands out as a global leader in the transition away from traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Recent estimates show that EVs and plug-in hybrids accounted for only about 10% of new car sales in the U.S. in 2025 – compared to over 30% in the United Kingdom, more than 50% in China, and nearly 100% in Norway. Indeed, a recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center found that fewer than one-in-three American adults were at least somewhat likely to consider buying an EV.

One of the leading explanations for widespread EV hesitancy in the U.S. is cost – and in some ways, these concerns are not unfounded. The average transaction price of a new EV in the U.S. was $55,211 in April 2026, about $6,200 more than a new ICE vehicle, according to Cox Automotive. But as gas prices surge across the country, financial considerations may soon become a boon for EV sales, rather than a liability. 

Data from AAA shows that gas is now selling for an average of more than $4.50 per gallon in the United States, up about 43% from one year ago. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average car in the U.S. travels about 10,573 miles per year with an average fuel economy of 24.4 miles per gallon. With gas prices at current levels, a typical American car owner will spend about $2,000 at the pump each year – hundreds of dollars more than estimated charging expenses for EV owners. Accounting for state level variations in the cost of both gas and electricity shows that in some parts of the country, EV owners are paying nearly 50% less per year to drive the same amount as ICE vehicle owners. 

Using data from AAA and the DOE, Climate Crisis 247 identified the states where EV owners are saving the most in annual fuel costs.  Data on average gas prices per gallon and average EV charging prices per kilowatt hour by state are as of May 14, 2026, as reported by AAA. Calculations were based on these numbers, and assumed an average ICE vehicle fuel economy of 24.4 MPG, EV efficiency of 0.3 kWh per mile, and an annual vehicle travel distance of 10,573, as reflected in data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the DOE. Supplemental data on population and EV charging stations are from AAA and the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2024 American Community Survey. 

We ranked all states on the nominal difference between estimated annual fuel costs and EV charging costs. Only the 10 states where EV drivers save the most per year are listed. 

aerial photograph of mountain besides body of water
Photo by Michael Olsen on Unsplash

10. Hawaii

  • Estimated annual savings on fuel expenditures: $827
  • Avg. price of electricity in state: $0.51 per kilowatt hour (2nd highest of 50 states)
  • Avg. price of regular gasoline in state: $5.65 per gallon (3rd highest of 50 states)
  • Estimated annual fuel costs: $2,448 for gasoline; $1,621 for EV charging
  • Total commercial/public EV chargers in state: 16.3 per 100,000 people (16th fewest of 50 states)

9. Vermont

  • Estimated annual savings on fuel expenditures: $844
  • Avg. price of electricity in state: $0.36 per kilowatt hour (8th lowest of 50 states)
  • Avg. price of regular gasoline in state: $4.55 per gallon (18th highest of 50 states)
  • Estimated annual fuel costs: $1,973 for gasoline; $1,129 for EV charging
  • Total commercial/public EV chargers in state: 135.7 per 100,000 people (the most of 50 states)

8. Kansas

  • Estimated annual savings on fuel expenditures: $847
  • Avg. price of electricity in state: $0.29 per kilowatt hour (the lowest of 50 states)
  • Avg. price of regular gasoline in state: $4.10 per gallon (8th lowest of 50 states)
  • Estimated annual fuel costs: $1,776 for gasoline; $929 for EV charging
  • Total commercial/public EV chargers in state: 23.2 per 100,000 people (23rd most of 50 states)

7. Maryland

  • Estimated annual savings on fuel expenditures: $855
  • Avg. price of electricity in state: $0.34 per kilowatt hour (4th lowest of 50 states)
  • Avg. price of regular gasoline in state: $4.44 per gallon (24th lowest of 50 states)
  • Estimated annual fuel costs: $1,924 for gasoline; $1,069 for EV charging
  • Total commercial/public EV chargers in state: 55.1 per 100,000 people (7th most of 50 states)

6. Michigan

  • Estimated annual savings on fuel expenditures: $876
  • Avg. price of electricity in state: $0.39 per kilowatt hour (13th lowest of 50 states)
  • Avg. price of regular gasoline in state: $4.89 per gallon (8th highest of 50 states)
  • Estimated annual fuel costs: $2,119 for gasoline; $1,243 for EV charging
  • Total commercial/public EV chargers in state: 32.2 per 100,000 people (16th most of 50 states)

5. Nevada

  • Estimated annual savings on fuel expenditures: $890
  • Avg. price of electricity in state: $0.44 per kilowatt hour (12th highest of 50 states)
  • Avg. price of regular gasoline in state: $5.24 per gallon (6th highest of 50 states)
  • Estimated annual fuel costs: $2,270 for gasoline; $1,380 for EV charging
  • Total commercial/public EV chargers in state: 20.2 per 100,000 people (23rd fewest of 50 states)

4. Utah

  • Estimated annual savings on fuel expenditures: $938
  • Avg. price of electricity in state: $0.33 per kilowatt hour (3rd lowest of 50 states)
  • Avg. price of regular gasoline in state: $4.60 per gallon (16th highest of 50 states)
  • Estimated annual fuel costs: $1,994 for gasoline; $1,056 for EV charging
  • Total commercial/public EV chargers in state: 31.6 per 100,000 people (18th most of 50 states)

3. Oregon

  • Estimated annual savings on fuel expenditures: $1,027
  • Avg. price of electricity in state: $0.41 per kilowatt hour (21st lowest of 50 states)
  • Avg. price of regular gasoline in state: $5.35 per gallon (4th highest of 50 states)
  • Estimated annual fuel costs: $2,318 for gasoline; $1,291 for EV charging
  • Total commercial/public EV chargers in state: 45.4 per 100,000 people (10th most of 50 states)

2. California

  • Estimated annual savings on fuel expenditures: $1,192
  • Avg. price of electricity in state: $0.46 per kilowatt hour (6th highest of 50 states)
  • Avg. price of regular gasoline in state: $6.15 per gallon (the highest of 50 states)
  • Estimated annual fuel costs: $2,664 for gasoline; $1,472 for EV charging
  • Total commercial/public EV chargers in state: 72.0 per 100,000 people (5th most of 50 states)

1. Washington

  • Estimated annual savings on fuel expenditures: $1,246
  • Avg. price of electricity in state: $0.40 per kilowatt hour (15th lowest of 50 states)
  • Avg. price of regular gasoline in state: $5.77 per gallon (2nd highest of 50 states)
  • Estimated annual fuel costs: $2,502 for gasoline; $1,256 for EV charging
  • Total commercial/public EV chargers in state: 50.2 per 100,000 people (8th most of 50 states)


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