Tesla vs gas cars: Here’s how far EVs can go on a California road trip

This tool assumes that a driver will depart with 80% of their battery charged and arrive at their destination with at least 20% left. Manufacturers typically recommend drivers keep electric vehicles within that charging range to avoid extra battery stress.

Our trips also don’t allow EVs to drop below 10% battery level without stopping for a charge. Charging times vary based on the EV and the charger being used.

The gas price comparison uses the statewide average per-gallon price in California for March 1, when the average price of gas was $4.79 according to AAA. At that time, drivers in the state typically paid $1.44 more per gallon for gas than the national average. 

The comparison also assumes the gas car has a full tank at the start of the trip and that it gets 24 mpg and holds 13 gallons of gas, which is typical of the average car. The tool allows gas cars to take a different route than electric cars, and does not account for time spent at the gas pump.

The tool also takes into effect each EV’s unique consumption and charging curves. The consumption curve determines how much power it uses at a certain speed. The charging curves determine how fast an EV will charge based on its current battery percentage. EV charging typically slows down as the vehicle gains more battery juice.

Data sources: Mapbox, U.S. Dept. of Energy / EPA, ACEEE, ev-database.org, EVcompare, Car and Driver, KBB