Owners in high-electricity-rate states argue that the Prime's electric mode can cost more per mile than its gas engine. Whether that is true for you is arithmetic, and it takes two numbers: what you pay per kWh and what you pay per gallon. The calculator below does it.
Prime cost per mile calculator
The prices above are example values, not current averages. Enter your own.
How the calculator works. Electric cost per mile is 0.36 kWh times your price per kWh. Gas cost per mile is your price per gallon divided by 38. The 0.36 kWh per mile (36.0 kWh per 100 miles) and the 38 mpg on gas are the EPA's figures for the 2021–2025 RAV4 Prime from fueleconomy.gov. EPA electricity figures are measured at the wall, so they already include charging losses. The 42-mile electric range is the EPA rating; a Cars.com road test measured 42.7 miles on a 2021 Prime. See our MPG guide.
Break-Even Electricity Price
If your price per kWh is below the break-even number, electric driving costs less per mile than gas.
| GAS PRICE | GAS COST PER 100 MILES | BREAK-EVEN ELECTRICITY ($ PER kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| $3.00 | 7.9 cents | 0.219 |
| $3.50 | 9.2 cents | 0.256 |
| $4.00 | 10.5 cents | 0.292 |
| $4.50 | 11.8 cents | 0.329 |
| $5.00 | 13.2 cents | 0.365 |
What the Calculator Leaves Out
- Real-world range. Owners report electric range falling well below 42 miles in cold weather, and the gas engine can run for cabin heat. That raises your cost per mile in winter. See the MPG guide.
- Public charging. Fast-charging prices are usually higher than home rates. Enter that price instead if you rely on it.
- Time-of-use rates. Charging overnight on an off-peak rate can lower the electric number substantially.
- Maintenance. Electric miles do not wear the engine, but oil still ages with time. See the maintenance schedule.
- Comparison with the RAV4 Hybrid. Once the Prime's battery is depleted it runs as a hybrid at 38 mpg on gas, a little under the 2019–2025 RAV4 Hybrid's 39–40 mpg combined.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to drive a RAV4 Prime on electric or gas?
It depends on your prices. Electric is cheaper when your electricity price per kWh is below your gas price divided by about 13.7.
How much electricity does a RAV4 Prime use?
The EPA rates it at 36.0 kWh per 100 miles on electric, which is 0.36 kWh per mile, measured at the wall.
What does it cost to charge a RAV4 Prime?
About 15 kWh of wall energy covers the 42-mile EPA electric range (0.36 kWh times 42 miles). Multiply by your price per kWh.
What mpg does the RAV4 Prime get on gas?
The EPA rates it at 38 mpg combined when running as a hybrid.
Related RAV4 Guides
- Toyota RAV4 Towing Capacity by Year, Trim and Hybrid
- Toyota RAV4 MPG by Year: Gas, Hybrid and Prime
- Toyota RAV4 Recall Tracker: Every Recall 2013–2026
- Toyota RAV4 Tire Size by Year and Trim (2013–2025)
- Toyota RAV4 Maintenance Schedule: Gas and Prime
- Toyota RAV4 Common Problems by Generation and Powertrain
- Toyota RAV4 Known Issues: NHTSA Complaints by Year
- 2026 Toyota RAV4 TSB Tracker: Bulletins and Known Issues
- Toyota Towing Capacity Chart: Every Truck and SUV
Sources: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov (2021–2025 RAV4 Prime: 36.0 kWh per 100 miles, 38 mpg on gas, 42 miles electric); Cars.com test.
Keep reading
2026 Toyota RAV4 TSB Tracker: Bulletins and Known Issues
Toyota has filed seven bulletins for 2026 RAV4 problems with NHTSA so far, and one fixes most of the infotainment complaints: T-SB-0050-26 (August 19, 2026) is a head unit software update, version 8612G42397, for the 2026 RAV4 Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid. It addresses reboots, black screens, an inoperative "Add a device" button, wireless Android Auto failing after remote start, and more, and it is covered by the 36-month/36,000-mile Basic Warranty. The other six are tech tips on CarPlay and audio dropouts (T-TT-0803-26), distance to empty (T-TT-0800-26), a Prime that won't charge (T-TT-0801-26), remote start (T-TT-0798-26), battery state of health (T-TT-0806-26) and a check engine code under investigation (T-TT-0810-26). There are two 2026 recalls and no bulletin yet for the sunglass holder, moonroof rattle or data module complaints owners post about.
Toyota RAV4 Common Problems by Generation and Powertrain
The 2019 and 2020 RAV4 have the most documented problems: NHTSA lists recalls for engine casting porosity, front lower control arms, power steering assist loss and fuel pumps on those years. 2019 and newer gas RAV4s are named in a December 2025 lawsuit over the 8-speed automatic transmission; the claims are unproven and Toyota has not recalled it. Hybrids and Primes have a repeated 12V battery drain complaint (Toyota issued a service bulletin for the 2021 Prime), and 2019–2022 hybrids have the rear power cable corrosion that Toyota Canada covered with an extended warranty. 2013–2018 gas RAV4s have a short recall list, mostly labels.
Toyota RAV4 Known Issues: NHTSA Complaints by Year
NHTSA's complaint database holds 880 complaints for the 2019 RAV4 and 635 for the 2020, against 90 to 333 for most other years. The 2019 spike is led by fuel and propulsion system (255) and engine (206) complaints, which line up with the fuel pump and engine casting recalls. The 2021 year is led by air bags (125), matching the occupant sensor and steering column recalls. 2023 to 2025 complaints run 90 to 176 a year, led by electrical system, engine and steering. The 2026 RAV4 has no NHTSA complaints on file yet. Its recalls are a load label and a Prime motor generator ECU update.
Toyota RAV4 Maintenance Schedule: Gas and Prime
Toyota's gas RAV4 schedule (2025 model) lists service every 5,000 miles or six months. Engine oil and filter every 10,000 miles, engine and cabin air filters every 30,000 miles, spark plugs at 120,000 miles, and engine coolant at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000. Automatic transmission fluid is inspected at 30,000-mile intervals and replaced early only under severe conditions. Towing, dusty roads and short winter trips put you on the severe schedule: oil every 5,000 miles. The Prime follows its own schedule, with oil every 10,000 miles or 12 months.