For years, people have endured range anxiety—that annoying fear that your EV is going to die before you make it to a charging station. While gas cars have long had the upper hand when it comes to fast fueling and long road trips. But in 2025, is that still the case? Are EVs finally catching up to conventional gas cars?
The Average Range of EVs in 2025
Not so long ago, a 200-mile range EV was very good. But fast forward to today, and that now appears almost outdated. Thanks to better battery technology, most new EVs today have a range of 300 to 400 miles on a single charge, with luxury models topping 500 miles or more.
Take the new Tesla Model S Plaid, for example—it now boasts a 520-mile range per charge, making it a viable road-trip contender. Even more budget-friendly EVs like the Hyundai Ioniq 6 or Ford Mustang Mach-E are comfortably exceeding 350+ miles. What's changed? More efficient batteries, smarter energy management, and more aerodynamic designs that squeeze out every last bit of efficiency.
Put simply, EVs aren't just "catching up" now—they're rewriting the conversation about driving range.
How Gas Cars Compare in 2025
Gas-powered cars, on average, still have a longer range. A typical sedan with a full tank can travel 400 to 600 miles, while some hybrid vehicles can push even further. The Toyota Camry, for example, gets around 600 miles per tank, while SUVs and trucks with larger fuel tanks can go even further.
Yet, gas vehicles have not taken any significant strides in range since they don’t have to—refueling only takes a few minutes at a gas pump, while EV charging times still depend on the type of charger.
Charging vs. Refueling
While EVs are closing the gap on range, charging compared to refueling is where the real difference comes into play. A gas car can pull into a station, fill up in five minutes, and be off again. EVs? They need time to charge—and that will vary.
Fast charging is still much better in 2025. High-speed DC chargers can now provide 200-300 miles in 15-20 minutes. Tesla's Superchargers and networks like Electrify America have proliferated, making long-distance travel a breeze. Home charging, though, is still the default for most EV owners—just plug in overnight and wake up to a full battery.
Are EVs Ready for Road Trips?
For city driving and daily commutes, EVs are already a no-brainer. For road trips, however, gas cars remain the leader. A traditional car can go 500 miles, make a five-minute stop to refuel, and go another 500 miles. An EV with a 400-mile range can definitely do distance, but after that, you’re talking 20-40 minutes at a charger—assuming there’s one nearby.
That said, EV road-tripping is considerably easier than it once was. More highway chargers, hotels with EV charging points, and route-planning apps make it much more feasible. The gap isn’t entirely closed yet, but it’s narrowing rapidly.
Cost Factor
While gas cars may still have the edge in refueling speed, EVs win when it comes to cost per mile. Charging an EV at home is significantly cheaper than buying gas. Today, gas prices remain unpredictable, while electricity costs (especially for home charging) are more stable.
Let’s say an EV gets 4 miles per kWh and electricity costs $0.15 per kWh. That means driving 100 miles costs about four dollars. Meanwhile, a gas car that gets 30 miles per gallon with gas at $4 per gallon would cost $13.33 for the same 100 miles. That’s a huge difference over time.
Insurance Costs
In 2025, it still costs more to insure an EV than a gasoline vehicle, but the difference is closing. Repairs on EVs, particularly for battery replacement, are costlier, and insurers take that into account. Gasoline vehicles, with lower-priced parts and ubiquitous mechanics, tend to have lower rates.
Still, there are more quick car insurance companies that provide EV-specific policies and usage-based insurance (UBI) that can reduce the cost for safe drivers. Although gas vehicles are still less expensive to insure, EV owners tend to offset the cost with cheaper fuel and maintenance, which makes the cost of ownership more comparable. Ultimately, the decision between an EV and a gas car shouldn’t be based on your quick car insurance alone—but it’s definitely something to keep in mind when calculating long-term costs.
Maintenance
One big reason people are making the jump to EVs? Far less maintenance. Gas-powered cars need oil changes, engine repairs, and ongoing servicing, but EVs eliminate a lot of that hassle. With fewer parts in motion, there’s just less to break. EV owners can save thousands of dollars over a decade just by avoiding regular repairs.
Will EVs Fully Catch Up?
EVs in 2025 have come a long way in terms of range and charging duration, but gasoline cars still have the edge in quick fill-ups and long-distance road trips. That said, with solid-state batteries and ultra-fast charging tech just around the corner, the gap is closing rapidly.
For city folks and daily drivers, EVs are already the clear choice. Though if you're constantly taking road trips or live where charging infrastructure is sparse, gas cars are still convenient—for now. The question is, how much longer will that continue to be true?
At this rate, range anxiety might be extinct by the end of the decade.