Free tools for car buyers, current owners, and EV enthusiasts — calculate depreciation, compare EV vs gas costs, and estimate fuel expenses.
Project your car's future value year-by-year using industry-standard depreciation rates. See your true cost of ownership.
Compare annual fuel costs, break-even point, and 5–10 year savings of an electric vehicle vs a conventional gas car.
Estimate your trip fuel cost by entering distance, fuel efficiency, and gas price. Plan any road trip budget.
Calculate monthly car loan payments, total interest, and amortization schedule for any auto loan.
A new car loses an average of 20% of its value in the first year — and up to 60% by year five. This "depreciation" is the single largest cost of car ownership for most people, far exceeding fuel, insurance, and maintenance combined. Understanding depreciation helps you make smarter buying decisions, whether you're choosing between new and used, or deciding when to sell.
Our car depreciation calculator uses industry-standard accelerated depreciation rates by year: Year 1: 20%, Year 2: 15%, Year 3: 13%, Year 4: 12%, Year 5: 11%. After year 5, depreciation slows to 5–9% per year. Luxury cars and trucks tend to hold their value better than economy cars in the 5+ year range.
The economics of EVs have shifted dramatically. With gas prices averaging $3–$4/gallon and electricity averaging $0.13/kWh, driving an EV costs roughly 3–4× less per mile than a gas car. On 12,000 miles/year with a 28 MPG car and a $3.50/gallon gas price, you'd pay about $1,500/year in fuel. An EV at 4 miles/kWh pays about $390/year — a savings of $1,110 annually.
Add $1,000–$1,500/year in maintenance savings (no oil changes, fewer brake replacements due to regenerative braking, fewer moving parts), and a $5,000–$10,000 EV price premium typically pays off in 3–5 years for most drivers. Our EV savings calculator runs these numbers for your specific situation.
Which cars hold their value best?
Trucks and SUVs consistently hold value best. The Toyota Tacoma, Ford F-150, Jeep Wrangler, and Toyota 4Runner regularly rank in the top 10 for lowest depreciation. Luxury EVs (Tesla Model 3, Rivian R1T) have shown strong resale value in recent years. Rental fleet cars (Chevy Impala, Chrysler 300) depreciate fastest.
What is the best age to buy a used car?
2–3 years old is the sweet spot for most buyers. You capture the steepest depreciation hit (25–35%) while still getting a modern, warrantied vehicle with relatively low miles. CPO (Certified Pre-Owned) vehicles at this age often include manufacturer-backed extended warranties.
How much does it cost to charge an EV at home?
The average US electricity rate is $0.13/kWh. A 60 kWh battery (typical mid-size EV) costs about $7.80 to charge from empty to full. At 300 miles of range, that's $0.026/mile — compared to $0.125/mile for a 28 MPG car at $3.50/gallon gas. Level 2 home charging (240V) typically takes 8–12 hours for a full charge.