Short answer: ‘round here, I’m paying $0.054/mile for gas and $0.013/mile for electricity.
Long answer: Electric cars are efficient. They have narrower operating limits than gas cars (i.e.: range), but for common uses within that range they’re cheaper to run. At worst-case electricity pricing ($0.15 per kW/h at a public charger), I’m still paying 70% of local current equivalent gas prices ($1.90/gal, and assuming a comparable 35MPG car), and closer to 23% when charging at home (equates to $0.45/gal gas). For “commute under 60 miles per day” use, that’s quite efficient.
Given that the EV will be more expensive, the break-even per-mile cost is at $4,100 more. And that’s still assuming $1.90/gal gas and 35MPG efficiency; make that a 20MPG SUV burning $3.50/gal gas, the break-even is $16,250 more for the EV (ok, that’s stretching a bit, but changes the buying options to “do I buy another SUV or a BMW i-series?”).
Yes, it’s still a second-car solution relying on my gas-guzzling SUV for longer trips. But since I’ll have two cars anyway, might as well get the EV for commuting around Atlanta.
So let me ask you...Gun metal or black? What color is your Leaf?