Gas vs Electric Car Calculator

The “Quebec 2026” preset replaces generic assumptions with verified Quebec data. Regular gasoline is set at $1.953/L, the Quebec weighted average published by the Régie de l’énergie for the week of October 5, 2026. The price changes every week and from region to region (from $1.82 in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean to $2.02 in Montreal that week), so change it to what you actually pay.

For electricity, Hydro-Québec’s residential rate D in effect since April 1, 2026 has a fixed charge of 46.154¢ per day, 7.065¢/kWh for the first 40 kWh per day and 11.142¢/kWh above that. Because charging a vehicle adds to the home’s usual consumption, much of it often falls in the second tier. The preset therefore uses 11.142¢/kWh plus GST and QST, about 12.81¢/kWh. If your home uses little electricity, your real cost may be lower.

Example: at 15,000 km a year, a gas car using 7.5 L/100 km burns 1,125 litres, about $2,197 at the preset price. An electric vehicle using 17 kWh/100 km and charged 85% at home uses 2,550 kWh: about $278 at home and $153 at public chargers at $0.40/kWh, roughly $431 in total. The energy gap is over $1,700 a year, before maintenance, insurance and depreciation.

Both vehicles are taxed at 14.975% (GST + QST). For the electric vehicle, the preset includes the $2,000 Roulez vert rebate, the amount for a new battery-electric vehicle registered in 2026, provided the MSRP is under $65,000. The Quebec program ends on December 31, 2026.

The federal Electric Vehicle Affordability Program can add up to $5,000 ($2,500 for a plug-in hybrid), but only if the vehicle is made in Canada or in a country with a free-trade agreement with Canada and the transaction value is $50,000 or less. Because this depends on the model, it is not included by default: add it under “Government incentives” if your vehicle qualifies. Both rebates are deducted after taxes, as the calculator does.

Total cost of ownership adds up everything the vehicle costs you over the chosen period: the purchase price with taxes, minus rebates, plus energy, maintenance and insurance, minus the resale value at the end. The break-even point is the year when the cumulative cost of the electric vehicle drops below that of the gas vehicle.

The more you drive, the more likely electric is to win, because the energy savings build up with every kilometre. Conversely, for someone who drives little or changes vehicles after two or three years, depreciation and the purchase price weigh more. Try several ownership periods and distances: that is often where the answer changes.

In extreme cold, an electric vehicle uses more energy, mainly to heat the cabin and the battery. If you drive a lot in winter, raise the kWh/100 km figure a little in the calculator. A gas vehicle also uses more fuel in cold weather.

Charging at home is by far the cheapest option. A level 2 charger and its installation often cost $1,000 to $2,500 depending on the distance from the electrical panel; the preset uses $1,500, which you can change. If you live in a condo or have no parking, your share of public charging will be higher: adjust it, because fast-charging prices are often several times the residential rate.