One of the biggest choices that car buyers face today relates to mechanics and fuel: electric cars versus gas cars. Which one will better fit your needs?

It's a question that will become more common as the federal government continues to push the country toward electric vehicles (EVs), and most major auto makers follow suit. But is now the right time for you to make a switch?

It's a question that every buyer will face and the answer will be different for each. To help guide you through the decision process, here is an analysis that covers four vital areas to consider: efficiency, costs, convenience and the environment. All are important to make an informed decision.

Before you go shopping for electric or gas, remember to take care of your auto financing first. Get pre-qualified with Credit Acceptance to help inform your car budget.

Number One: Efficiency

Starting with the geekiest part of a head-to-head comparison. Let's examine what scientists say about which engine is more efficient, electric or gas.

Thanks to the laws of thermodynamics, a car moves forward using only 20 percent of the gas you pump into it, according to Yale University scientists. “For each gallon pumped into the tank, only a bit more than three cups go to moving the vehicle forward,” according to a Yale Climate Connections report. “In economic terms, for a $5 gallon of gasoline, only $1 of it gets you closer to your destination.”

That’s because a gas-fueled vehicle relies on the ignition of fuel to create the pressure that pushes the pistons, turns the crankshaft and spins the wheels. A lot of energy burns off on the way to the wheels, or is used by the alternator to power electronics like the radio and climate control.

How do electric engines work? “In an EV, electricity from the car’s battery flows into a cylinder that generates a rotating magnetic field. Inside that cylinder is a rotor that spins as it gets pulled along by the magnetic attraction. The spinning rotor turns an axle that drives the wheels,” the report explained.

The result is that electric vehicles are generally more efficient.

Two: Consumer Costs

Going electric is more expensive from the start. The average EV costs about $2,800 more than the average gas-powered car, according to data from Cox Automotive.

In addition, there are new tax incentives, including a federal tax credit that can slash the price of your new EV by up to $7,500 and offers a break of up to $4,000 on a used one as of 2024.

However, there’s simply a much bigger selection of gas-powered vehicles out there, giving you more flexibility when it comes to your budget. If you want to buy a used car because you’re longing for higher-end trim—leather seats and a sunroof, for example —it’s much easier to stretch your budget and meet your desires in the gas-powered market.

The real cost difference comparing electric cars vs. gas cars is in the long game. Electricity is simply cheaper. The average SUV owner will spend $1,697 a year to fill the tank with gas. Powering the electric model will cost $982, a savings of about $715, according to a 2023 report by the non-partisan policy group Energy Innovation. That savings builds up over the years.

Three: Convenience

Throughout America, gas stations are everywhere. But that’s not yet true of EV charging stations. That means the existential dread of running out of power in an electric car is real.

Even though the average EV range is about 250 miles, with newer models capable of traveling up to 400 miles on a charge, the fact that America’s charging network is still under construction means that long drives still require careful planning that accounts for how weather impacts performance.

Remember that, when you drive an EV, there’s no jumpstart or red gas can that can save you when you run out of power. Instead, you’re waiting on a flatbed truck that will take you to the nearest charging station.

The American infrastructure simply isn’t there yet to make EVs super convenient, though initiatives by the U.S. Department of Energy are underway to fund and encourage more of them, especially in rural areas.

If you use your car for predictable commutes or around-town errands, and if you can power your car at home every night, EVs can win the convenience category. But otherwise, a gas-powered car, which can be fueled almost anywhere, may be more convenient to drive.

Four: Mother Earth

The first few months of the Covid-19 pandemic told us one sure fact: car travel is bad for the air. A NASA study showed that air pollutants produced by combustion engines dropped by 20% when pandemic relief measures required us to stay home.

Burning a gallon of gasoline produces about 19 pounds of carbon dioxide, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. An average gas-powered car produces 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide every year.

Electric vehicles are also not zero impact. Their carbon footprint is huge in one phase: the creation of their batteries, which require lithium, cobalt, nickel and copper to produce. Massive amounts of water are also used.

As you consider whether gas or electric will better suit your needs, there’s one thing you can do immediately to get closer to that car. Fill out a Credit Acceptance pre-qualification to find out what kind of auto financing you may be approved for. It’s a solid first step for every buyer.