I'm not sure it's supposed to, nor the gas engine cars in the same class. On the other hand Nissan has a lease going on for the Leaf for $199 a month. That is about $161 less than the wife spends on gas for her commute.
That's 3,600 miles per month, or 180 miles every weekday. Almost 100 miles one way. Not one of those shorter commutes.
And here is the problem. The Leaf may be cheaper, but it simply won't deliver the range that your wife needs on daily basis. Not even one way, to be plugged in. Leaf is good only when any car is also good - for short trips strictly within the city.
Your wife's driving pattern may benefit from a Tesla... the range will be sufficient if you get a 85 kWh model. It costs $81K. You may want to make a spreadsheet and see what works for you. Note that the insurance on a $80K car will be higher than on a cheap commuter car. Consider winter and darkness - the battery is discharged much faster. Consider if the distance driven per day is guaranteed (no random side trips to parents, for example.) Today an EV is a demanding friend.