Fact #968: March 13, 2017 All-electric Vehicles Have the Lowest Estimated Annual Fuel Cost

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The estimated annual fuel costs for model year (MY) 2017 all-electric vehicles is the lowest of all the different fuel types, ranging from a low of $500 to a high of $800 per year. The annual fuel costs for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) are heavily influenced by the electric range of the vehicle. In hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), the technology is used not only for maximizing fuel economy, as in the Hyundai Ioniq Blue with fuel costs of $600, but also for boosting performance, as in the Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta with fuel costs of $3,250. Conventional gasoline vehicles for MY 2017 have estimated annual fuel costs of $900 to $3,850 – the widest range, but also the category with the most vehicle models available.

Annual Fuel Cost Ranges by Fuel Type, MY 2017

Graphic showing annual fuel cost ranges by fuel type (all electric vehicles, PHEV, HEV, gasoline, and diesel) for the 2017 model year.

Note: Fuel cost assumptions were:

  • Vehicle driven 15,000 miles per year
  • 55% city driving, 45% highway driving
  • $2.33 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline, $2.82 per gallon for premium, $2.57 per gallon for diesel, and $0.13 per kilowatt-hour for electricity.
  • PHEV fuel cost estimates are based on blended gasoline/electricity costs.

Fact #968 Dataset

Supporting Information

Annual Fuel Cost Ranges by Fuel Type, MY 2017
Vehicle ClassMinimum Fuel CostMaximum Fuel Cost
All-electric Vehicles$500$800
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV)$550$1,850
Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV)$600$3,250
Gasoline Vehicles$900$3,850
Diesel Vehicles$1,050$1,700

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy, 2017 Fuel Economy Guide website, accessed February 17, 2017.

 

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