When analysing usage patterns across gasoline, hybrid, and electric vehicles, it’s observed that three-year-old gasoline cars typically log 12,813 miles annually, whereas EVs record a 20 percent reduction, averaging 10,256 miles. Plug-in hybrids cover 12,199 miles per year, reflecting a 4.8 percent decrease compared to gasoline cars, while standard hybrids are driven 12,471 miles annually, showing a 2.7 percent reduction relative to gasoline models.
Karl Brauer, Executive Analyst at iSeeCars, highlights the prominence of “range anxiety” and charging infrastructure concerns among EV drivers, factors likely contributing to their limited travel distances. In contrast, hybrids and plug-in hybrids, with their constrained all-electric battery range but absence of range anxiety, demonstrate only marginal decreases in mileage compared to gasoline cars.
Among electric vehicles, Tesla cars emerge as the most utilised. The Model 3, X, and Y each surpass 11,000 miles annually, exceeding the EV average of 10,256 miles per year. Conversely, the Model S averages only 8,293 miles annually, marking a 19 percent reduction from the average EV mileage. This disparity positions the Model S as one of the costlier electric cars to operate on a per-mile basis. “Teslas offer more range and access to the Supercharger Network, both of which support higher use rates than the average electric vehicle,” said Brauer.
In case of plug-in hybrids or PHEVs, which cost more than hybrids but less than electric vehicles, their average driven miles per year is relatively close to gasoline models. At more than 19,000 miles a year, the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan is driven over 50 percent further than the average PHEV, and 50 percent further than the average gasoline model. “Plug-in hybrids are not as cost efficient as traditional cars, but they do offer zero-emission use for a limited distance, along with zero range anxiety,” said Brauer.
The average hybrid vehicles are driven at almost the same level as gasoline models. The top three hybrids – Honda Insight, Toyota Prius, and Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid – are driven at least 20 percent further than the average gas car. “The top 10 driven hybrids are above the average annual mileage of gasoline models, reflecting their lower operating costs and lack of range anxiety,” said Brauer.
The constrained usage of electric vehicles (EVs) alongside their higher initial price tags leads to a 63.6 percent higher cost per 1,000 miles driven annually compared to gasoline cars. Plug-in hybrid vehicles incur a 39.4 percent higher cost than gasoline models, whereas standard hybrids actually present a 2.1 percent cost reduction relative to gasoline cars for every 1,000 miles driven annually. As per Brauer, “Everyone knows electric vehicles cost more than gasoline, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid models. But when we combined their list price with the low use rate for EVs and compared those figures to other vehicle types, we were able to quantify exactly how much more electric vehicle buyers are paying, only to drive them less.”
Interestingly, despite the perception of electric vehicles having the priciest drivetrain for their yearly mileage, hybrids feature the most economical drivetrain, even surpassing the affordability of traditional gasoline models. This is due to hybrid owners utilizing their vehicles at nearly the same rate as gasoline cars, while the average price of hybrids is slightly lower than that of gasoline models. “Hybrids have become increasingly popular with consumers in recent years. And now many mainstream models, including the newest Toyota Camry, are only sold as a hybrid. This technology is set to become the dominant drivetrain throughout the industry,” Brauer said.