The Cost of “Just Driving to Work” Keeps Getting Worse

Gas prices jumped nearly 46 percent between January and April 2026, but not every driver is feeling the pain equally.

As you might imagine, owners of traditional gas-powered vehicles are seeing annual fuel costs climb dramatically, while EV drivers have been largely insulated from the spike.

According to an iSeeCars study, annual fueling costs for internal-combustion vehicles increased by an average of $706 over the first four months of the year. By comparison, electric vehicles saw just an $11 increase in annual charging costs during the same period.

iSeeCars analyzed more than 2.1 million three-year-old used vehicles sold in 2025, comparing average annual mileage with fuel and electricity prices from January and April 2026 to determine how rising energy costs are affecting real-world ownership expenses.

“Everyone knows fuel prices are up, but we wanted to evaluate the impact of rising energy costs across each major drivetrain category,” said iSeeCars executive analyst Karl Brauer. “EV drivers were largely shielded from the increase, while owners of traditional gasoline vehicles saw a substantial jump in annual operating costs.”

The biggest increases hit drivers of larger, less efficient vehicles, especially full-size SUVs, trucks, and minivans. Those models tend to combine high mileage with poor fuel economy, creating a perfect storm when gas prices surge.

Internal-combustion vehicles recorded the steepest increase overall, with average annual fuel costs rising from $1,533 in January to $2,240 by April. Conventional hybrids fared better, increasing by $486 annually despite averaging the highest yearly mileage of any drivetrain category.

Plug-in hybrids landed somewhere in the middle. Their annual fueling costs increased by $291, thanks in part to their ability to rely on electricity for shorter trips while still using gasoline for longer drives.

Electric vehicles were by far the least affected. Average annual charging costs rose from $714 to $725, highlighting one of the clearest financial advantages EVs still hold in volatile energy markets.

“Gas price spikes seem to happen every few years,” Brauer said. “For consumers on a tight budget, hybrids and plug-in hybrids can provide meaningful protection from sudden swings in monthly fuel expenses.”

While EV adoption has slowed somewhat compared to earlier growth projections, studies like this continue to highlight one area where electric vehicles still offer a major advantage: predictability. Even as electricity prices fluctuate, they remain far more stable than gasoline prices tied directly to global oil markets.

Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletter here.