With gasoline prices fluctuating unpredictably, many Texans are considering a switch to electric vehicles (EVs). But while driving past gas pumps is satisfying, it is important to understand the actual numbers: Is charging an electric car in Texas genuinely cheaper than fueling a gasoline car?

Because Texas operates a deregulated retail electricity market, the cost to charge an EV at home varies significantly depending on your retail provider and the plan you choose. With the right strategy, home charging can reduce your per-mile fuel costs by up to 70%.

In this guide, we break down the fuel and maintenance math comparing EVs with gasoline-powered vehicles in Texas, and explain how to choose the right energy plan to maximize your savings.

EV vs. Gas Cost Comparison at a Glance

Below is an interactive comparison detailing refueling and maintenance costs for an electric vehicle versus a gas-powered car in Texas:

Detailed Cost Comparison: EV vs. Gas Car

Comparing refueling, maintenance, and overall costs in Texas based on 12,000 annual miles.

Cost Category	Electric Vehicle (EV)	Gas-Powered Vehicle	Annual EV Savings
Fuel Cost (per 200 miles)	$6.50 – $7.80 (Home)	$26.00 (@ $3.25/gal)	Up to 70% cheaper
Annual Refueling Total	$390.00 – $468.00	$1,560.00	$1,100.00+ saved
Annual Routine Maintenance	$949.00 (No oil shifts)	$1,279.00 (Tune-ups, brakes)	$330.00 saved
Long-Term Wear Risk	Battery replacement (8-10 yrs)	Exhaust, transmission, engine	High reliability
Total Refueling & Maint.	$1,339.00	$2,839.00	$1,500.00 saved/yr!

1. Fuel Costs: Home Charging vs. The Pump

Home Charging Economics

When you charge your EV at home, you are billed for the kilowatt-hours (kWh) consumed. The average EV gets about 3 to 4 miles of range per kWh.

Standard Charging Rate: If your retail electricity rate is 13¢ per kWh, driving 200 miles requires about 50 to 60 kWh, costing approximately $6.50 to $7.80.
Super-Peak Charging: If you are on an unhedged variable plan during a summer demand spike, charging costs can rise. That is why locking in a fixed rate or using EV-specific plans is critical.

Gasoline Fueling Economics

Standard Fuel Cost: For a comparable 200-mile range, a gasoline car that averages 25 MPG requires 8 gallons. At $3.25 per gallon, that trip costs $26.00—roughly three to four times the cost of home EV charging.
Annual Savings: The average Texan driving 12,000 miles per year spends about $1,560 on gasoline, compared to just $390–$468 on home electricity for an EV.

2. Public Fast Charging vs. Home Charging

While home charging is highly economical, public Direct Current (DC) fast-charging networks (like Tesla Superchargers or Electrify America) charge a premium for speed.

Public Rates: DC fast chargers in Texas typically charge 35¢ to 45¢ per kWh.
Cost Impact: Charging a 60 kWh battery at a public station costs $21.00 to $27.00. This is still slightly cheaper than gasoline, but it reduces your savings margin significantly.
The Rule of Thumb: To maximize your EV ROI, aim to do 80% or more of your charging at home overnight.

3. Maintenance Savings: Simplicity Pays Off

Electric vehicles have far fewer moving parts than internal combustion engines. EVs do not contain:

Spark plugs
Alternators
Fan belts
Oil filters (no oil changes required)
Catalytic converters

Additionally, EVs use regenerative braking, which converts kinetic energy back into battery storage when slowing down. This process dramatically reduces wear and tear on brake pads and rotors, extending their lifespan. On average, EV owners save around $330 per year in routine maintenance costs.

How to Maximize Your EV Savings with GetElectricity

To get the most out of your electric vehicle in Texas, you need the right electricity plan.

Time-of-Use EV Plans: Many Texas providers offer plans specifically tailored to EV owners, featuring discounted or even free electricity between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM. By scheduling your EV to charge during these hours, you can drive almost entirely for free.
Flat-Rate Protection: If you prefer a standard fixed plan, GetElectricity helps you lock in a low baseline rate so that charging your vehicle doesn't push you into higher, tiered pricing brackets.
Smart Charge Tracking: We analyze your household usage profile to ensure your EV charging doesn't trigger peak-demand delivery charges from your TDU.

Find the perfect plan for your home and electric vehicle. Compare rates on GetElectricity today.

Charge Your EV for Less on GetElectricity

The EV-versus-gas math only works if your home electricity rate stays low — overnight charging on a bad variable rate can erase the savings this guide just walked through.

GetElectricity connects directly to your Smart Meter Texas data to build your real 12-month usage profile, then simulates hundreds of active plans across Plano, Frisco, McKinney, and Round Rock, including plans with overnight pricing built for EV charging.

Enter your ZIP code on GetElectricity to find the cheapest way to fuel both your home and your car.

Three Habits That Erase EV Savings

The $1,500-per-year advantage in the comparison table is real, but it is not automatic. Three habits quietly give it back:

Charging on an unhedged variable rate. The home-charging math in this guide assumes roughly 13¢ per kWh. On a variable plan during a summer demand spike, your marginal charging cost can climb well past that — which is why locking in a fixed rate matters more once an EV is adding 50 to 60 kWh to your usage every few days.
Overusing public fast chargers. At 35¢ to 45¢ per kWh, DC fast charging is still cheaper than gasoline, but barely. A driver who fast-charges half the time watches the 70% fuel savings shrink toward 30%. Keep the 80% home-charging rule and treat public chargers as road-trip infrastructure, not a daily habit.
Ignoring the free window. If your plan offers free or discounted electricity between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM, charging at 7:00 PM out of convenience pays a rate your plan literally waives five hours later. Every EV lets you schedule charging — set it once and the savings run themselves.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is charging an EV at home really cheaper than buying gasoline in Texas?

Yes, substantially. The average EV gets about 3 to 4 miles of range per kWh, so driving 200 miles at a 13¢ per kWh home rate costs roughly $6.50 to $7.80. A comparable gasoline car at 25 MPG needs 8 gallons — about $26 at $3.25 per gallon. Over a typical 12,000-mile year, that is roughly $390 to $468 in home electricity versus about $1,560 in gasoline.

How much does public fast charging cost compared to home charging?

Public DC fast-charging networks in Texas typically charge 35¢ to 45¢ per kWh, so filling a 60 kWh battery costs $21 to $27 — still slightly cheaper than gasoline, but far above home rates. To maximize your EV return on investment, aim to complete 80% or more of your charging at home overnight.

What electricity plan is best for EV owners in Texas?

Many Texas providers offer time-of-use EV plans with discounted or even free electricity between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM — scheduling your car to charge in that window lets you drive almost entirely for free. If you prefer simplicity, a low fixed-rate plan keeps home charging predictable, and EVs also save about $330 per year in routine maintenance since they have no oil changes, spark plugs, or alternators.

Related reading: Charging an EV overnight makes "free nights" plans tempting — before you count on one, read our breakdown of the real cost of free nights and weekends electricity so the daytime rate does not eat your savings.

Electric Vehicle vs. Gas Car Charging Costs in Texas