Methodology
How we make the numbers useful.
Greener Numbers uses primary public sources wherever possible and labels estimates clearly.
Electricity
We use EIA retail-sales and revenue data for state-level comparisons. Average retail price is a revenue-per-kilowatthour measure and should not be treated as a utility tariff.
Vehicle costs
The EV calculator estimates annual fuel or electricity use from miles, efficiency, and user-entered prices. It intentionally excludes ownership costs that vary widely between drivers.
Corrections
If a source changes or an error is identified, we update the page, record the revision date, and explain a material methodology change in the article or data note.
Primary sources
- EIA electricity data ↗State and sector retail sales, revenue, prices, and customer counts.
- EIA retail sales and average price ↗Annual state tables, including average monthly residential bills.
- DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center ↗Vehicle Cost Calculator assumptions and comparisons.