EV vs Petrol Cost Comparison
Compare the real annual running costs of an electric vehicle versus a petrol car. Enter your driving distance, energy prices, and consumption to see which option saves you more money each year, over five years, and how much CO2 you could save by switching to electric.
How the EV vs Petrol Cost Comparison Works
The decision to switch from a petrol or diesel vehicle to an electric vehicle (EV) is increasingly driven by economics as well as environmental considerations. This calculator compares the annual energy costs of running both types of vehicles based on your specific driving patterns and local energy prices. For electric vehicles, the cost is calculated by multiplying your annual distance by the EV's energy consumption rate (measured in kilowatt-hours per 100 kilometers) and then by your electricity price per kWh. For petrol vehicles, the calculation uses fuel consumption in liters per 100 kilometers multiplied by the petrol price per liter. The difference between these two figures represents your potential annual savings.
Electric vehicles are significantly more energy-efficient than internal combustion engine vehicles. A typical EV consumes 15-20 kWh per 100 km, which is equivalent to roughly 1.5-2.0 liters of petrol in energy terms, compared to 6-10 liters that a comparable petrol car actually consumes. This efficiency advantage means that even when electricity is relatively expensive, EVs typically cost 50-70% less per kilometer to fuel than petrol vehicles. The savings are even more dramatic for drivers who can charge at home during off-peak electricity hours, where rates can be as low as $0.05-0.10 per kWh in many regions.
Beyond direct fuel cost savings, the calculator also estimates the CO2 emissions you would avoid by driving electric. A petrol vehicle emits approximately 2.3 kilograms of CO2 per liter of fuel burned (including upstream extraction and refining emissions). While EVs are not completely zero-emission when you account for the electricity generation source, they produce significantly less CO2 per kilometer in most countries, especially those with substantial renewable energy in their grid mix. Countries like Norway, France, and New Zealand have particularly clean electricity grids, making EV emissions dramatically lower than petrol vehicles.
Cost Comparison Formulas
EV Annual Cost = (Annual km ÷ 100) × kWh/100km × Electricity Price
Petrol Annual Cost = (Annual km ÷ 100) × L/100km × Petrol Price
Annual Savings = Petrol Cost − EV Cost
CO2 Saved = (Annual km ÷ 100) × L/100km × 2.3 kg/L
Where:
- Annual km = Total kilometers driven per year
- kWh/100km = Electric vehicle energy consumption rate
- L/100km = Petrol vehicle fuel consumption rate
Factors Affecting EV vs Petrol Costs
Electricity Rates and Charging Strategies
Your electricity rate has the biggest impact on EV running costs, and it can vary dramatically depending on how and when you charge. Home charging during off-peak hours is typically the cheapest option, with rates ranging from $0.05 to $0.15 per kWh in many regions. Standard residential rates during peak hours average $0.15 to $0.35 per kWh depending on your country and provider. Public charging stations charge $0.30 to $0.60 per kWh for AC charging and $0.40 to $0.80 or more for DC fast charging. Some EV owners with solar panels can charge for effectively zero marginal cost during daylight hours, maximizing their savings advantage over petrol.
Driving Patterns and Distance
Higher-mileage drivers benefit the most from switching to electric. Someone driving 30,000 km per year will see double the absolute savings compared to someone driving 15,000 km per year. The average driver in the United States covers about 21,000 km (13,000 miles) per year, while European averages tend to be lower at 12,000-15,000 km per year. Urban drivers who do mostly short trips are ideal EV candidates because EVs are most efficient in city driving (the opposite of petrol cars) and can be charged overnight at home.
Example Calculations
Example: Average Driver (15,000 km/year)
EV consuming 16 kWh/100km at $0.25/kWh vs petrol car consuming 7 L/100km at $1.60/L.
- EV Annual Cost = 150 × 16 × $0.25 = $600
- Petrol Annual Cost = 150 × 7 × $1.60 = $1,680
- Annual Savings = $1,680 − $600 = $1,080
- 5-Year Savings = $5,400
- CO2 Saved = 150 × 7 × 2.3 = 2,415 kg/year
Total Cost of Ownership Considerations
While this calculator focuses on fuel and energy costs, the total cost of owning an EV versus a petrol car includes several other factors. EVs generally have lower maintenance costs because they have fewer moving parts — no oil changes, no transmission fluid, no spark plugs, no exhaust system, and regenerative braking significantly extends brake pad life. EV maintenance savings typically amount to $500 to $1,500 per year compared to an equivalent petrol vehicle. However, EVs currently have higher purchase prices, though the gap is narrowing rapidly as battery costs decline. Many governments offer purchase incentives, tax credits, and reduced registration fees for electric vehicles, which can offset some or all of the price premium. Insurance costs are comparable for most models, though some premium EVs may cost more to insure due to higher repair costs from specialized parts and battery damage concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much cheaper is an EV to run compared to a petrol car?
On average, electric vehicles cost 50-70% less per kilometer in fuel costs compared to petrol cars. The exact savings depend on your local electricity and petrol prices, but a typical EV driver saves $800 to $1,500 per year in fuel costs alone. Drivers who charge at home during off-peak hours or with solar panels can save even more, sometimes reducing their per-kilometer energy cost to near zero.
What is the average EV energy consumption in kWh per 100km?
The average EV consumes between 14 and 20 kWh per 100 km depending on the vehicle size and driving conditions. Small EVs like the Nissan Leaf or Fiat 500e consume around 14-16 kWh/100km. Mid-size EVs like the Tesla Model 3 or Hyundai Ioniq 6 average 15-17 kWh/100km. Larger SUV-style EVs like the Tesla Model X or BMW iX consume 18-24 kWh/100km. Highway driving and cold weather increase consumption significantly.
Does the EV vs petrol cost include maintenance savings?
This calculator focuses specifically on fuel and energy costs. However, EVs also save significantly on maintenance — typically $500 to $1,500 per year less than petrol cars. EVs have no oil changes, no transmission fluid, no spark plugs, no exhaust system repairs, and regenerative braking extends brake pad life by 2-3 times. When you add maintenance savings to fuel savings, the total annual operating cost advantage of EVs becomes even more compelling.
How is the CO2 savings estimate calculated?
The CO2 savings estimate is based on the well-to-wheel emissions of petrol combustion, which is approximately 2.3 kg of CO2 per liter of petrol burned. This includes both the direct tailpipe emissions and the upstream emissions from extracting, refining, and transporting the fuel. While EVs do produce indirect emissions from electricity generation, these vary greatly by country and grid mix. In countries with clean electricity grids, EVs produce 70-90% less CO2 per kilometer than petrol cars.
At what electricity price does an EV become more expensive than petrol?
For an EV to cost more per kilometer than a petrol car, electricity would need to be extraordinarily expensive relative to petrol. With typical consumption rates (16 kWh/100km for EV vs 7 L/100km for petrol at $1.60/L), electricity would need to exceed $0.70 per kWh for the EV to lose its cost advantage. Very few residential electricity rates reach this level anywhere in the world, though some DC fast charging stations approach these rates. Home charging almost always maintains a significant cost advantage.