EV vs gas cost in Ia
Current fuel prices: $3.94/gal gasoline (PADD 2 (Midwest), week of 2026-08-31) and 15.93¢/kWh residential electricity (2026-06). Typical EV: 37 kWh/100mi.
Monthly fuel cost — 1,000 miles
Typical EV (home charging)
$59
$0.059/mi
25 MPG gas car
$158
$0.158/mi
30 MPG gas car
$131
$0.131/mi
35 MPG gas car
$113
$0.113/mi
Yearly savings with an EV in Ia
| Compared to | Fuel for 12,000 mi/yr | EV fuel for 12,000 mi/yr | Yearly saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 MPG gas car | $1,890 | $707 | $1,183 |
| 30 MPG gas car | $1,575 | $707 | $868 |
| 35 MPG gas car | $1,350 | $707 | $643 |
Ia fuel FAQ
Is an EV actually cheaper to fuel in Ia?
Yes. At $3.94/gal, a 30 MPG car costs $0.131 per mile in gas, while a typical EV costs $0.059 per mile charged at home (15.93¢/kWh). That's roughly $0.072 saved per mile — about $868 per year at 12,000 miles.
How much gas does the average driver use in Ia?
At 1,000 miles/month in a 30 MPG car, 33 gallons/month (400 gallons/year). The same miles in a typical EV use 370 kWh/month of electricity.
Is Ia gas expensive compared to other states?
Ia ranks #16 of 51 (1 = cheapest gas). The national spread runs from Texas at $3.69 to California at $5.63 per gallon. The higher your gas price, the faster an EV pays for its price premium.