Interactive guide · Savings calculator

EV Buying Guide
everything to check first

Budget, battery size, incentives, charging setup and the full checklist — so you buy the right EV without overpaying.

Total cost of ownership Rebates & incentives Buyer checklist

Global EV adoption

Share of new car sales: 22,0%

2026 data

BEV Share of new car sales

14,0%

EVs sold in 2025

17M

Public chargers

5.5M

World leader

China (≈60% of sales)

Start the guide

Part 1 · The basics

How to buy an EV without regret

Buying an EV is different from buying a petrol car: you buy battery size and charging habits, not engine and gears. The right choice depends on your mileage, parking, budget and rebates.

The golden rule: compare total cost of ownership, not the sticker price. Fuel savings, incentives and lower maintenance often make an EV cheaper over 5 years.

1 Right-size the battery

Match battery kWh to your driving: 40–60 kWh for commutes, 80+ for frequent long trips.

2 Check incentives

Rebates, tax credits and company-car schemes can cut thousands off the price.

3 Plan charging

Home wallbox vs public charging changes both cost and convenience. Decide before you buy.

New vs used : Used EVs are a great deal — batteries are durable and incentives apply to some used models. Budget for a battery health check (SOH) before buying used. See calculateur for running costs.

Part 2 · The process

The smart buying process

Follow these steps and you will avoid the most common EV mistakes.

1

Set a budget

Include purchase price, install of a wallbox, insurance and your projected energy cost.
2

Define your needs

Daily km, highway share, towing, passengers, cold climate. This picks the battery size.
3

Compare models

Compare range, charging speed, boot space, warranty and real-world reviews.
4

Run the numbers

Calculate TCO with incentives, fuel savings and resale. An EV often wins.
5

Test drive & check

Test drive, verify the battery health (used), and confirm charger compatibility.

Part 2 · The demonstration

Size the battery to your driving

Use the range model to decide how many kWh you really need.

Battery size (kWh) 60

Consumption (kWh/100 km) 15

Outside temperature (°C) 20

Highway share (%) 50

Estimated real-world range

400

Cold, highway speed and heating reduce range. This model is indicative.

Part 2 · The demonstration

Run your total cost comparison

See annual EV vs petrol costs including your local electricity and fuel prices.

Distance per year (km) 15,000

EV consumption (kWh/100 km)

Petrol consumption (L/100 km)

Electricity price ($/kWh)

Petrol price ($/L)

Your savings per year

$1,050

EV$225

Petrol cost / year$1,575

Part 3 · The data

The EV market in 2026

Key adoption figures and the most popular electric cars. Data is indicative 2026.

22,0%

EV + PHEV

The electric transition is accelerating. Key 2026 indicators.

Model	Price	Range (WLTP)	0–100 km/h	Fast charge	Battery
Tesla Model Y Tesla	$44,990	480 km	5.0 s	250 kW	75 kWh
Tesla Model 3 Tesla	$40,990	513 km	4.9 s	250 kW	60–75 kWh
BYD Dolphin BYD	$23,990	420 km	7.5 s	60–80 kW	60 kWh
BYD Seagull BYD	$10,990	305 km	10.0 s	30 kW	30–38 kWh
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Hyundai	$42,990	507 km	5.1 s	350 kW	77.4 kWh
Kia EV6 Kia	$43,990	528 km	5.2 s	350 kW	77.4 kWh
VW ID.4 Volkswagen	$41,990	515 km	7.0 s	135 kW	77 kWh
Renault Mégane E-Tech Renault	$38,990	450 km	7.4 s	130 kW	60 kWh

Charging guide →

Levels, connectors, cost and time.

EV vs petrol →

The honest cost & CO₂ comparison.

Buying guide →

Budget, rebates and checklist before you sign.

Crypto converter →

Live prices for 20+ cryptocurrencies.

Part 5 · The models

Buying checklists by situation

Your ideal EV depends on your life. Three common profiles.

City commuter

40–60 kWh is plenty
Home wallbox essential
Small or compact body
LFP = great value
Charge weekly, not daily

Family & long trips

75–100 kWh or fast 350 kW
Good boot space
Tow rating if needed
Efficient heat pump
Plan chargers ahead

Budget / first EV

Used EV with SOH check
LFP battery for durability
Incentives on used cars
Standard range is fine
Cheapest total ownership

Part 6 · The uses

Money you can actually save

The concrete savings that change the EV equation.

Purchase incentives

Many regions offer $2,000–9,000 rebates or tax credits on new EVs.

Fuel savings

Home charging cuts energy costs by 50–70% versus petrol for the same km.

Maintenance savings

EVs cost roughly 30% less to service over 5 years.

Company-car schemes

Salary sacrifice and low BIK tax make EVs attractive for employees.

Tax & access

Reduced road tax, free parking and low-emission-zone access.

Time-of-use tariffs

Off-peak electricity can make home charging nearly free.

Part 7 · The verdict

Why buy now & What to watch out for

Why buy now

✔Prices are falling and range keeps growing.
✔Incentives and tax advantages still active in many regions.
✔Running costs 50–70% lower than petrol.
✔Charging network expanding rapidly.
✔Better resale value outlook as demand grows.

What to watch out for

✕Check battery health on used EVs (SOH).
✕Confirm home charging is possible before buying.
✕Compare fast-charging cost if you have no home charging.
✕Resale values are still stabilizing in some markets.
✕Dealer add-ons and finance terms need scrutiny.

Part 8 · The vocabulary

Quick glossary

The buying terms you need to know.

TCO

Total Cost of Ownership — the full 5-year cost including fuel, tax, insurance, maintenance.

SOH

State of Health — used battery capacity vs new (%).

MSRP

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price.

Lease vs buy

Leasing fixes monthly cost; buying builds equity.

Wallbox

Home charger installation (7–22 kW).

WLTP range

Official European range figure — real range is 70–90% of it.

Salary sacrifice

Company scheme: lease an EV pre-tax, saving tax.

BIK

Benefit-in-kind tax on company cars (lower for EVs).

Depreciation

Value lost over time — the biggest hidden EV cost.

Battery warranty

Typically 8 years / 160,000 km at 70% SOH.

Home charging survey

Check your panel capacity and parking before buying.

Residual value

Expected resale value after several years.

Part 9 · Questions

EV buying FAQ

Is 2026 a good time to buy an EV?

Yes — prices are falling, ranges are strong and incentives still exist in many regions. Compare TCO for your case before deciding.

How much battery do I need?

City commuters: 40–60 kWh. Frequent long trips or towing: 80–100 kWh. Match it to your driving, not the biggest pack you can afford.

Should I buy new or used?

Used EVs offer great value since batteries are durable. Always request a battery health (SOH) report and check the warranty.

What incentives are available in 2026?

It varies by region: purchase rebates ($2,000–9,000), tax credits, company-car schemes, reduced road tax and free parking. Check local government sites.

Is home charging required?

Not strictly, but it is the biggest source of savings and convenience. Without it, compare public charging rates and fast-charging cost first.

How much should I budget for charging?

At home, ~$9 per 300 km at $0.15/kWh. Public fast charging is 3–4× that. Budget based on where you will actually charge.

Do EVs hold their value?

Better every year as demand grows and batteries prove durable. New EVs still depreciate fast initially; used EVs depreciate more slowly.

What should I check before signing?

Battery size vs your needs, real-world range, warranty, home-charging feasibility, incentive eligibility, fast-charging speed and total cost of ownership — not just the sticker price.

Incentives, prices and rebates vary by country and change over time. Verify with official local sources.

Continue reading

Ready to run the numbers?

Compare annual EV vs petrol costs and size your battery with our calculators.

Charging guide → EV vs petrol → Buying guide →

Quick links

Part 1 · The basics Part 2 · How it works Energy flow Range calculator Charging calculator EV vs petrol Market & models

EV Buying Guide everything to check first