Is buying an EV cheaper?

Long term, yes. Maintenance costs are near zero (no oil changes, fewer moving parts), and electricity is cheaper than gas. But depreciation is still a factor.

Does this include parking?

Yes. In cities like NYC or SF, parking alone can cost more than a lease. Uber eliminates this entirely.

What about the freedom factor?

Hard to quantify. If you love driving spontaneously to the mountains at 3 AM, a personal car is priceless. If you hate driving, it's a burden.

Car vs. EV vs. Uber

Compare the true cost of owning a Gas Car vs. an EV vs. using Rideshare.

📜 The Origins

Most car owners forget about the 'invisible' costs: depreciation, insurance, and maintenance. This tool brings those hidden expenses into the light for a fair fight against ridesharing.

🚀 Master the Tool

Input your estimated monthly car payments, fuel, and insurance. Compare that against your weekly Uber spending to see if you should sell the keys and join the 'passenger economy'.

Financing Scenarios

Purchase Price ($)

MPG

Gas ($/gal)

Maintenance/Year ($)

Annual Mileage

12,000 miles/year

Loan Term (5 Years)

Ultimate Verdict

Own a Gas Car

Tradition wins the wallet race... for now.

Save $125 / year

5-Year Impact

$626

Annual Cost Variance

The Breakdown

Total / YearGas Car Cost

$11,315

Total / YearElectric Car Cost

$13,120

Total / YearRideshare Cost

$11,440

The "EV Premium" Factor

EVs cost more to buy but often save 70% on "fuel" and 50% on maintenance over ICE cars. Check your local electricity rates for precision.

The True Cost of Ownership

We often look at the sticker price of a car and think that's what we pay. We ignore the TCO (Total Cost of Ownership).

The Invisible Money Pit

When you buy a car, you are signing up for: 1. Depreciation: The silent killer. Your asset loses value every single day, whether you drive it or not. 2. Opportunity Cost: That $500/month payment could have been $500/month invested in the S&P 500. Over 5 years, that's a massive difference in net worth. 3. Friction: Parking tickets, car washes, oil changes, DMV queues.

The Case for "Mobility as a Service"

Ridesharing (Uber/Lyft) feels expensive per trip ($25 to the airport!), but when you delete the fixed costs of insurance ($150/mo), payment ($500/mo), and gas ($150/mo), you often have an $800/month budget to spend on rides before you break even.