How Two-Vehicle Fuel Cost Comparator Works?
This tool works by calculating the yearly gallons each vehicle burns and pricing the difference at $3.60 per gallon. The result is the yearly saving of the more efficient vehicle.
Enter vehicle 1 MPG
Type the miles per gallon (MPG) of the first vehicle. The default is 22 MPG.
Enter vehicle 2 MPG
Type the MPG of the second vehicle. The default is 36 MPG.
Enter annual miles
Type the yearly miles you expect to drive, for example 15,000 miles (24,140 km).
Read the yearly saving
The tool shows how much less the efficient vehicle spends on fuel each year.
Two-Vehicle Fuel Cost Comparator Formula
The formula is Yearly Saving = |(Miles ÷ MPG 1) − (Miles ÷ MPG 2)| × $3.60.
Saving = |(Miles ÷ MPG 1) − (Miles ÷ MPG 2)| × $3.60Formula variables
- Miles ÷ MPG 1
- Gallons burned by vehicle 1.
- Miles ÷ MPG 2
- Gallons burned by vehicle 2.
- $3.60
- Fixed fuel price per US gallon (3.785 L).
Worked example
- Vehicle 1 MPG: 22 MPG
- Vehicle 2 MPG: 36 MPG
- Annual Miles: 15,000 miles
- Vehicle 1: 15,000 ÷ 22 = 681.82 gallons.
- Vehicle 2: 15,000 ÷ 36 = 416.67 gallons.
- Saving: (681.82 − 416.67) × $3.60 = 265.15 × $3.60 = $954.55 per year.
Result: $954.55 ($/year saved)
Over 5 years of ownership, the 36 MPG vehicle saves $4,772.73 in fuel compared with the 22 MPG vehicle.
Two-Vehicle Fuel Cost Comparator Conversion Table
The table lists yearly savings for 4 lower-MPG vehicles against 4 higher-MPG vehicles on 15,000 miles.
Rows: Vehicle 1 MPG (MPG). Columns: Vehicle 2 MPG (MPG). Cells: $/year saved.
| MPG | 30 MPG | 36 MPG | 45 MPG | 55 MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 MPG | $1,800.00 | $2,100.00 | $2,400.00 | $2,618.18 |
| 18 MPG | $1,200.00 | $1,500.00 | $1,800.00 | $2,018.18 |
| 22 MPG | $654.55 | $954.55 | $1,254.55 | $1,472.73 |
| 25 MPG | $360.00 | $660.00 | $960.00 | $1,178.18 |
Values held constant: Annual Miles = 15,000 miles.
Swapping a 15 MPG truck for a 55 MPG hybrid saves $2,618.18 per year on 15,000 miles.
What is Two-Vehicle Fuel Cost Comparator?
The Two-Vehicle Fuel Cost Comparator is a tool that compares the yearly fuel cost of 2 vehicles. The tool shows the dollar value of choosing the more efficient model.
Car shoppers often compare price, features, and reliability. Fuel is a large running cost that adds up over 5 to 10 years, and the tool puts that number next to the purchase price.
The comparator uses the same miles and fuel price for both vehicles, so MPG is the only variable in the result.
What are the uses of Two-Vehicle Fuel Cost Comparator?
There are 4 main uses of the Two-Vehicle Fuel Cost Comparator: choosing between 2 cars to buy, deciding which household car to drive more, comparing a trade-in with a new car, and justifying a higher purchase price.
Choosing between 2 cars to buy
Shoppers compare a 22 MPG SUV with a 36 MPG sedan.
Deciding which household car to drive more
Families put more miles on the efficient car.
Comparing a trade-in with a new car
Owners see the fuel saving of replacing an old vehicle.
Justifying a higher purchase price
Buyers check whether a fuel saving covers a higher sticker price.
Need every metric in one place? Open the main MPG Cost Calculator or browse all 101 fuel calculators.