Why EVs Can Cost Less to Drive in Arizona
In Arizona, driving electric can dramatically cut what you spend to get around. With gasoline prices climbing and electricity rates staying relatively stable—especially overnight—many drivers are finding that EVs are simply cheaper than fuel and easier to budget for.
Gasoline and Diesel Prices: Expensive and Unpredictable
As of March 22, 2026, Arizona’s statewide average fuel prices are:
Regular unleaded: $4.491 per gallon
Mid‑grade: $4.871
Premium: $5.188
Diesel: $5.518
These prices have risen sharply. Regular gas is up more than $1.27 in just one month and $1.15 over the past year, while diesel has jumped nearly $2.00.
Gas and diesel prices are heavily influenced by global oil markets, refinery outages, and seasonal demand. That volatility hits Arizona drivers especially hard, with prices often running above the national average.
For the latest Arizona fuel prices, DRIVE Electric Arizona links directly to AAA’s Arizona Gas Prices page.
Electricity Costs: Stable and Often Very Cheap at Night
Electricity works differently. Most Arizona utilities offer Time‑of‑Use (TOU) plans that reward drivers who charge during low‑demand hours—typically evenings, nights, and weekends.
SRP super off‑peak rates can drop as low as 3.495¢ per kWh
APS and TEP also offer deep overnight discounts
For EV owners who charge at home overnight, the cost per mile is often less than one‑third the cost of gasoline.
What That Means in Real Dollars
A simple comparison helps put this into perspective.
Assume an efficient EV gets about 3 miles per kWh. Driving 100 miles uses roughly 33.3 kWh of electricity.
Cost per 100 Miles in Arizona
APS EV overnight rate: about $2.82
APS winter super off‑peak: about $1.17
SRP winter super off‑peak: about $1.44
TEP off‑peak: about $4.16–$4.83
Gas vehicle (25 mpg): about $17.96
Diesel vehicle (30 mpg): about $18.39
Even on the higher end of off‑peak electricity rates, EVs cost far less to drive per mile than gas or diesel vehicles.
Monthly Savings Add Up Fast
Looking at real‑world driving—about 1,000 miles per month for the average Arizona driver:
A typical gasoline car (25 mpg) at $4.49 per gallon costs about $180 per month in fuel.
An EV (about 3.5 miles per kWh) charged at home costs roughly $55–75 per month in electricity.
That’s a savings of $100–125 every single month, or more than $1,200 per year, just on fuel.
Public charging costs more than home charging, but for most drivers, charging at home remains the most affordable and convenient option
Solar and Batteries Can Lower Costs Even More
Some Arizona EV owners reduce costs further with rooftop solar and home battery storage, such as a Tesla Powerwall.
A home battery can store solar energy produced during the day and make it available later; perfect for EV charging during off‑peak hours. This works especially well with TOU plans, where shifting energy use away from expensive hours can significantly reduce total household electricity costs.
APS, SRP, and TEP all structure their plans to reward customers who move energy use out of peak periods.
Maintenance Savings: Another Big Advantage
EVs also cost less to maintain.
They don’t need:
Oil changes
Spark plugs
Timing belts
Transmission fluid
Regenerative braking also greatly extends brake life.
Independent studies, including Consumer Reports and Argonne National Laboratory, consistently find that EVs cost 40–50% less to maintain and repair than comparable gasoline or diesel vehicles.
Lifetime maintenance savings: about $4,600–$6,000 over 200,000 miles
Per‑mile maintenance cost:
Gas/diesel vehicles: ~10¢ per mile
EVs: ~6¢ per mile
Combined with fuel savings, many EV drivers save over $1,000 per year in total operating costs—often more in high‑gas‑price Arizona.
Bottom Line: EVs Put Money Back in Your Pocket
In Arizona, the math is clear. Volatile fuel prices, discounted off‑peak electricity, and far lower maintenance costs make EVs not just cleaner and quieter—but financially smart.
Whether you’re commuting in Phoenix, cruising in Tucson, or driving across the state, switching to electric delivers real, measurable savings every mile.
Join us at upcoming events to test‑drive EVs and talk with current owners about their real‑world Arizona experiences.
Drive electric—and watch your costs drop.
Know someone still paying $4.49+ for gas? Share this newsletter and show them why the switch to electric has never made more sense—or saved more money—right here in Arizona.