How Alternative Fuel Cost Comparator Works?
This tool works by subtracting Fuel B's cost per mile from Fuel A's cost per mile and multiplying by annual distance. The result is the yearly cost gap between 2 fuels.
Enter Fuel A cost per mile
Type the cost per mile of the first fuel, for example gasoline at $0.14 per mile.
Enter Fuel B cost per mile
Type the cost per mile of the second fuel, for example compressed natural gas (CNG) at $0.09 per mile.
Enter annual distance
Type yearly miles, for example 12,000 miles (19,312 km).
Read the yearly difference
The tool returns the dollar gap between the 2 fuels over the year.
Alternative Fuel Cost Comparator Formula
The formula is Annual Difference = |Fuel A Cost per Mile − Fuel B Cost per Mile| × Annual Distance.
Difference = |Fuel A $/mi − Fuel B $/mi| × Annual MilesFormula variables
- Fuel A $/mi
- Cost per mile of the first fuel.
- Fuel B $/mi
- Cost per mile of the second fuel.
- Annual Miles
- Yearly distance driven.
Worked example
- Fuel A Cost per Mile: $0.14/mi
- Fuel B Cost per Mile: $0.09/mi
- Annual Distance: 12,000 miles
- Per-mile gap: $0.14 − $0.09 = $0.05.
- Yearly gap: $0.05 × 12,000 = $600.00.
Result: $600.00 ($ cost difference)
Cost per mile puts every fuel on equal terms: gasoline, diesel, propane, CNG, hydrogen, and electricity. Calculate cost per mile as price per unit divided by miles per unit.
Alternative Fuel Cost Comparator Conversion Table
The table shows the yearly gap for 3 Fuel A costs and 3 Fuel B costs on 12,000 miles.
Rows: Fuel A Cost per Mile ($/mi). Columns: Fuel B Cost per Mile ($/mi). Cells: $ cost difference.
| $/mi | $0.04/mi | $0.09/mi | $0.12/mi |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.10/mi | $720.00 | $120.00 | $240.00 |
| $0.14/mi | $1,200.00 | $600.00 | $240.00 |
| $0.18/mi | $1,680.00 | $1,080.00 | $720.00 |
Values held constant: Annual Distance = 12,000 miles.
A gap of $0.14 per mile, from $0.18 down to $0.04, adds up to $1,680.00 over 12,000 miles.
What is Alternative Fuel Cost Comparator?
The Alternative Fuel Cost Comparator is a tool that compares the yearly running cost of any 2 fuels on a cost-per-mile basis. The tool works across fuel types that use different units.
Fuels sell in different units: gallons, gasoline gallon equivalents (GGE), kilograms, and kilowatt-hours (kWh). Cost per mile removes the unit problem.
The comparator reports the size of the gap. Check which fuel has the lower cost per mile to see the cheaper choice.
What are the uses of Alternative Fuel Cost Comparator?
There are 4 main uses of the Alternative Fuel Cost Comparator: evaluating CNG and propane conversions, comparing hydrogen and electric vehicles, planning fleet fuel transitions, and comparing renewable diesel.
Evaluating CNG and propane conversions
Fleets compare conversion savings with conversion costs.
Comparing hydrogen and electric vehicles
Buyers compare 2 zero-emission options on running cost.
Planning fleet fuel transitions
Fleet managers price a move to a new fuel type.
Comparing renewable diesel
Operators compare renewable diesel with petroleum diesel.
Need every metric in one place? Open the main MPG Cost Calculator or browse all 101 fuel calculators.