Q: Is it true the EVs are vastly more efficient than cars fueled by Gasoline?
A: YES, if we compare to straight ICE (Engine only, no hybrid battery setup).
NO…if we compare to modern Hybrids. The best Hybrid Cars have an efficiency which is equal to or even higher than EVs if we calculate from the fuel at the Power Plant to rolling down the road.
. The confusion lies in what effiiciency means. EVs have vastly better efficiency ONCE THE BATTERY IS FULL. It’s very possible for them to acheive over 80% efficiency from this point on. It is in getting the electric generated and into the EV Battery where efficiency is lost.
Q:I read that EV’s are vastly more efficient and cleaner than ICE cars (ICE=Internal Combusion Engine). Is this a myth?
A: No, it’s a common misperception – that does not take Hybrids into account – and also does not allow for the SOURCE of the Electric that fuels the EV. ICE cars (non-Hybrid) are terribly inefficient – above is true if we apply it to only to gasoline vehicles without the Hybrid Systems. In terms of how “clean” a vehicle is, that is complex – but depends on the sources of the Electric used to fuel an EV as well as other variables such as tires,
Q: I heard that I can save money by using an EV – is this true?
A: The Cost of owning and operating a motor vehicle isn’t as simple as it may appear! Each vehicle buyer should work out their own costs based on their regional averages. Below are costs – US Averages over past 5 years – as relates to a Modern EV or Gasoline Fueled Hybrid. Here is a handy Calculator to use for the basics.
EV = cost per mile is approximately 6 cents with Home Charging and 12-14 cents with public charging.
Hybrid = 6.5 cents a mile – in all situations. If you are doing calculations you should not use temporary swings in gasoline as you are likely to use a vehicle for many years.
Note: Electric cost vary far more than Gasoline costs and are also less likely to swing up and down than Gasoline.
Q: Do EV’s or Hybrids cost less to own – in the USA over years of ownership?
A: Once again we have to speak of averages – and must be specific to 2026. COO or TCO (Cost of Ownership, Total Cost of Ownership) is calculated by many major car-focused sites such as Edmunds, Kelly Blue Book, etc. – you should look up the specific vehicles you are interested in – however, these sites currently show the ownership costs of EV’s in the USA as being higher than those of other vehicles. Fuel (gas or electric) is NOT the highest cost involved in owning a vehicle – and this confuses many shoppers.
Original Cost (cost of money).
Depreciation
Insurance
and THEN Fuel…..are often the largest cost. Do your research by looking up “TCO” Total Cost of Ownership, on the cars you are comparing.
Q: Are EV’s likely to change in terms of Cost of Ownership?
A: Yes, EV cost difference is largely centered around Original Price/Depreciation and Insurance costs (often higher for EV’s). Both of these are changing quickly – it is likely that in the near future (even now, on some models) that the cost of ownership of an EV will be equal to that of other vehicles.
Q: Are EV’s and or Cleaner Hybrids a solution to our environmental and other problems?
A: Unfortunately they are not. The sum total of “Car Culture” includes many negatives that cleaner cars do not address. The largest two are the deaths and injuries which the use of cars are responsible for. Also, Cleaner cars won’t help with the massive traffic jams and seemingly endless acres covered with concrete, blacktop, parking lots and other support systems for our cars. There are also other sources of pollution such as the car construction, tire particulates and even the stirring up of road dust which all affect our environment and quality of life.
Summary – having a more efficient car is a step in the right direction. But to give some perspective on how little Electric Cars have helped the USA, consider this 2025 statistic.
Gasoline use in the USA has only been reduced by 1% due to BEV (fully electric cars). Total gasoline use is down 5%, the other 4% being the result of Hybrids and even more efficient ICE vehicles. Even that 1% savings involves the use of Fossil Fuels and other energy (Nat Gas, Coal, Nuke as well as renewables) to acheive. We need to do much more than buying a new car in order to meet any of our goals in terms of working towards a cleaner and more efficient world.