2-car comparison · Free
Total Cost
of Ownership Calculator
Compare two cars head to head — depreciation, fuel or energy, insurance, maintenance and tax — and see the real winner.
EV vs petrol ready
Cost per month & per km
Depreciation included
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Car A
Car B
Petrol hatchback · 5 yrs
$31,000
$517 / month · $0.41 / km
Electric hatchback · 5 yrs
$26,000
$433 / month · $0.35 / km
✓ Electric hatchback is $5,000 cheaper over 5 years
Petrol$31,000
EV$26,000
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Depreciation is #1
For most new cars, depreciation is the biggest cost over 3–5 years. Enter a realistic resale value to see the real picture.
EVs shine here
Lower fuel and maintenance often outweigh a higher price — that is why the full TCO matters more than the sticker.
Use real numbers
Plug in real insurance quotes, your fuel/energy prices and honest resale estimates for an accurate comparison.
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FAQ
TCO FAQ
What is total cost of ownership (TCO)?
TCO adds up everything a car costs over time: purchase price minus resale value, plus fuel/energy, insurance, maintenance and tax. It is the honest way to compare an EV with a petrol car, or a new car with a used one.
Why does depreciation dominate TCO?
For most new cars, depreciation is the single largest ownership cost over 3–5 years — often bigger than fuel. A $30,000 car losing 18%/year costs about $18,000 in depreciation over 5 years.
Are EVs cheaper to own overall?
Often yes once fuel savings and lower maintenance are included, especially with home charging. It depends on purchase price, resale and incentives — enter both cars here and compare.
How is cost per km calculated?
Divide the total ownership cost by the total distance driven over the period. Enter your annual kilometers to get a real per-km figure.
What annual distance should I use?
Use your realistic annual mileage — 10,000–15,000 km is typical for private drivers, more for commuters or fleet use.
Does TCO change with how long I keep the car?
Yes. Depreciation is front-loaded, so keeping a car longer lowers its average annual cost. Use the years-owned slider to see the effect.
Should I include financing?
This calculator compares running + depreciation costs. Add loan interest separately (see the auto loan calculator) if you finance.
How accurate is this calculator?
It gives a solid estimate. Use real quotes for insurance, your actual fuel/energy prices and a realistic resale value for better accuracy.
Fuel cost→
Compute the fuel/energy figure precisely.
Depreciation→
Estimate resale value accurately.
Auto loan→
Add financing costs to the picture.
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