EV vs Petrol Calculator
Should you buy an electric or petrol car? Compare total cost of ownership including fuel, maintenance, and depreciation.
Enter Your Values
Using shared profile · 3,500/mo · EUR — edit on Dashboard
Results update automatically as you change values.
What-If Scenarios
Results update instantlyCost Breakdown
Cumulative Cost Over Time
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Annual Fuel Cost (with inflation)
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EV Cost Breakdown
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Side-by-Side Comparison
Bars show relative size · ✓ marks the better option- Purchase Price
- €38,000
- After Incentive + Charger
- €34,000
- Year 1 Fuel/Energy
- €720
- 5-Year Fuel (inflated)
- €3,747
- 5-Year Maintenance
- €2,320
- 5-Year Insurance
- €5,700
- Resale Value
- €20,054
- 5-Year Net Cost
- €25,713
- Cost per km
- €0.34
- CO₂ Emissions
- 4,800 kg CO₂
- Purchase Price
- €28,000
- After Incentive + Charger
- €28,000
- Year 1 Fuel/Energy
- €1,785
- 5-Year Fuel (inflated)
- €9,477
- 5-Year Maintenance
- €3,419
- 5-Year Insurance
- €3,500
- Resale Value
- €16,534
- 5-Year Net Cost
- €27,862
- Cost per km
- €0.37
- CO₂ Emissions
- 12,128 kg CO₂
| Factor | Recommended Electric Vehicle | Petrol Vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase Price | €38,000 | €28,000 |
| After Incentive + Charger | €34,000 | €28,000 |
| Year 1 Fuel/Energy | €720 | €1,785 |
| 5-Year Fuel (inflated) | €3,747 | €9,477 |
| 5-Year Maintenance | €2,320 | €3,419 |
| 5-Year Insurance | €5,700 | €3,500 |
| Resale Value | €20,054 | €16,534 |
| 5-Year Net Cost | €25,713 | €27,862 |
| Cost per km | €0.34 | €0.37 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 4,800 kg CO₂ | 12,128 kg CO₂ |
Over 5 years, the Electric Vehicle costs €2149 less. The €5000 EV incentive and €1000 charger cost are factored in. Fuel inflation at 3%/yr increases the petrol advantage over time. The EV saves 7328 kg of CO₂ — equivalent to planting 349 trees.
Scenario Analysis
How the outcome shifts if your assumptions turn out better or worse than expected.
High fuel prices, low electricity
At your stated prices
Low fuel prices, high electricity
Compare Scenarios
Pin up to 3 and see them side by sideSet your inputs, then Pin current to save this scenario. Pin a few variations to compare their scores and outcomes here.
What Moves the Needle Most
How much each factor changes your EV Total Cost (net) across its full range. Ownership Period has the biggest impact.
Focus your attention on Ownership Period — getting it right matters most. Factors lower down move the result less, so rough estimates there are fine.
Confidence & Assumptions
The result swings widely between best and worst cases — it depends heavily on assumptions that are hard to predict.
EV Savings: -€2,851 (worst) → €2,149 (expected) → €7,149 (best)
These are the estimates the result depends on. Adjust them (and the Advanced inputs) to match your real situation — the closer they are to reality, the more reliable your decision.
These estimates are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial advice. Actual results may vary based on factors not captured in this calculator.
How This Calculator Works
What this calculator does
This calculator compares the total cost of ownership between an electric vehicle and a petrol car over your chosen ownership period, including fuel, maintenance, insurance, and resale value.
How the calculation works
For each vehicle, we calculate purchase price plus annual fuel/energy, maintenance, and insurance costs over the ownership period, then subtract estimated resale value. The difference shows which is cheaper.
Formula
EV Annual Fuel = (km/100) × kWhPer100km × electricityPrice Petrol Annual Fuel = (km/100) × LPer100km × fuelPrice Total Cost = Price + (Fuel + Maintenance + Insurance) × Years - Resale
Example
EV €38,000 vs Petrol €28,000, 15,000 km/year, 5 years: EV total = €38,000 + €5,400 running - €15,200 resale = €28,200. Petrol total = €28,000 + €13,350 running - €8,400 resale = €32,950. EV saves €4,750.
How to Use This Calculator
- 1Enter your numbers
Fill in the inputs for EV vs Petrol Calculator. Defaults are realistic starting points — replace them with your actual figures.
- 2Understand the calculation
For each vehicle, we calculate purchase price plus annual fuel/energy, maintenance, and insurance costs over the ownership period, then subtract estimated resale value. The difference shows which is cheaper.
- 3Review results and scenarios
Check metrics, cost breakdown, comparison tables, and best / expected / worst scenarios. Use sliders to stress-test assumptions.
- 4Decide with the verdict
Read the decision engine recommendation and FAQ. Example: EV €38,000 vs Petrol €28,000, 15,000 km/year, 5 years: EV total = €38,000 + €5,400 running - €15,200 resale = €28,200. Petrol total = €28,000 + €13,350 running - €8,400 resale = €32,950. EV saves €4,750.
Factors to Consider
- EVs cost more upfront but less to run
- Home charging installation adds €500-2,000
- Battery warranty typically covers 8 years
- EVs may qualify for government incentives or tax credits
- Resale values are changing as the market matures
Common Mistakes
- Comparing only monthly payments instead of total cost
- Forgetting home charger installation costs
- Not accounting for battery degradation over time
- Ignoring government incentives for EVs
- Underestimating petrol maintenance costs
Frequently Asked Questions
Are electric cars cheaper to run?+
Yes. Electricity typically costs 3-5x less per km than petrol. EVs also have lower maintenance costs (no oil changes, fewer moving parts).
How long do EV batteries last?+
Most EV batteries last 10-15 years with gradual capacity loss. Warranties typically cover 8 years/160,000 km.
Do EVs qualify for tax credits?+
Many countries offer tax credits or rebates for EV purchases. Check your local regulations — this can significantly reduce the effective purchase price.
What about charging time?+
Home charging (7-11 kW) takes 6-10 hours for a full charge. DC fast charging (50-350 kW) can charge to 80% in 20-40 minutes.
This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important financial decisions.
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