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PHEV vs Hybrid Cost Calculator
A plug-in hybrid only beats a conventional hybrid if you actually plug it in. Turn the home charging switch off and watch the answer flip.
Your numbers
Change any value — results update instantlyPreparing the calculator…
$87.24 / month
Cheapest option: Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid
| Vehicle | Type | Month | Year | Per mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid | Plug-in hybrid | $87.24 | $1,046.88 | $0.087 |
| Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid AWD | Hybrid | $119.31 | $1,431.67 | $0.119 |
monthly cost = miles ÷ efficiency × price × (1 + charging loss)
miles = 1,000
home rate = $0.1942/kWh (80% of charging)
public DC rate = $0.4700/kWh (20%)
charging loss = 10%What is included — and what is not
This is a running-cost comparison: energy and fuel only. Purchase price, finance, insurance, maintenance, depreciation, tax and incentives are all excluded, because mixing them into a monthly fuel figure is how comparisons end up misleading.
Frequently asked questions
Why does home charging matter so much?
Because a plug-in hybrid that never plugs in is just a heavier hybrid — it carries a battery it never uses.
What is the utility factor?
The EPA's estimate of the share of miles a plug-in hybrid drives on electricity. It is shown for each model and drives the split here.
What happens if I turn home charging off?
The plug-in hybrid is recosted on petrol at its charge-sustaining economy — effectively as a conventional hybrid.
Does this include purchase price?
No — running cost only.
Can I share this?
Yes, via the URL.
Is this a quote?
No, an estimate.
Other comparisons
Data sources. Vehicle efficiency: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov (2026 model year). Electricity prices: U.S. EIA Form 861M (residential, June 2026). Fuel prices: U.S. EIA weekly retail (week ending 2026-09-07). All figures are estimates, not quotes.