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Best EVs Based on Total Cost of Ownership
Best EVs in the US based on total cost of ownership—purchase, incentives, charging, depreciation, and maintenance over 5 years.
AutoPremo Team
January 31, 2026
2 min read
The best EVs in the U.S. based on total cost of ownership are those with strong incentives, reasonable purchase price, lower depreciation, and efficient charging. Here's how to compare and choose.
TL;DR Best EVs by total cost = purchase (after incentives) + depreciation + charging + insurance + maintenance over 5 years. Compare using total cost of ownership—not just sticker or range. Use autopremo.com total cost of ownership and gas vs electric.How to Compare EVs by Total Cost
- Purchase — sticker minus federal and state incentives. Factor incentives into purchase cost.
- Depreciation — some EVs hold value better than others; check specific model with autopremo.com depreciation calculator.
- Charging — home vs public; electricity rates in your area. Use autopremo.com gas vs electric.
- Insurance — get quotes for each model; premiums vary.
- Maintenance — EVs typically have lower maintenance; factor into total cost. Use autopremo.com total cost of ownership.
What to Do
- Use total cost of ownership for the exact EV models you're considering. Use autopremo.com total cost of ownership.
- Plug in your assumptions — miles, electricity rate, incentives you qualify for, insurance quote.
- Compare to gas and hybrid — use autopremo.com gas vs electric and total cost to see if an EV is the best value for you.
Bottom Line
Best EVs by total cost of ownership depend on purchase (after incentives), depreciation, charging, insurance, and maintenance. Compare using autopremo.com total cost of ownership so you choose the EV that fits your budget over 5 years.