Interactive guide · Savings calculator

EV vs Petrol
the honest comparison

Running costs, maintenance, range and emissions — an honest head-to-head, with a calculator that shows what YOU would save.

Cost per km CO₂ per year Total ownership

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

Electric vs petrol at a glance

The purchase price of an EV is usually higher. But the running costs are dramatically lower: electricity is cheaper per km, and EVs have far fewer moving parts to maintain.

The real question is total cost of ownership over 5–10 years. For most drivers doing 10,000+ km/year with home charging, the EV wins — and that gap grows every year.

1 Energy cost

An EV typically costs $0.03–0.05 per km at home, vs $0.10–0.18 per km for petrol.

2 Maintenance

No oil changes, no exhaust, no spark plugs. Brakes last 2–3× longer with regeneration.

3 Emissions

EVs emit 0 tailpipe CO₂. Over a lifetime they are much cleaner, even on today’s grids.

The payback period : The extra purchase cost of an EV is typically recovered in 3–6 years through fuel and maintenance savings for average drivers. See calculateur for your numbers.

Part 2 · The comparison

Where each car wins

Petrol still wins some battles — long trips and refuelling. Here is the honest breakdown.

1

Running cost

EV wins. Electricity at home is 2–4× cheaper per km than petrol or diesel.
2

Maintenance

EV wins. Up to 50% lower service costs over 5 years — fewer parts to wear.
3

Long trips

Petrol wins today. Refuelling takes 5 minutes; fast charging adds 15–30 minutes per stop.
4

Range

Close. Modern EVs do 300–600 km WLTP. Cold weather and towing cut range, but so do they for fuel.
5

Resale & incentives

Depends on region. EV incentives and lower running costs often offset faster depreciation.

Part 2 · The demonstration

Calculate your annual savings

Enter your mileage, consumption and local prices — see the money and CO₂ you save per year.

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

EV vs petrol — the 2026 facts

Key numbers for a typical 15,000 km/year driver (indicative).

EV

~15 kWh / 100 km
Home: ~$0.04 / km
Maintenance: ~30% lower
0 g CO₂ tailpipe / km
Charge time: overnight home

Petrol

~7 L / 100 km
~$0.13 / km at $1.80/L
Oil changes + more parts
~170 g CO₂ / km
Refuel: 5 minutes

Verdict

Lower daily costs
Higher purchase price
Long trips need planning
Much cleaner lifetime
Payback 3–6 years

Part 6 · The uses

Who should switch?

Not everyone saves the same. Here is who wins most.

Home-chargers

If you can charge at home, you capture the biggest savings.

High-mileage drivers

15,000+ km/year makes the fuel savings huge and payback fast.

City commuters

Short trips, stop-and-go and low-emission zones favour EVs.

Incentive recipients

Bonus, tax breaks and cheap company-car schemes tilt the math.

Performance fans

Instant torque and quick 0–100 times come standard on EVs.

Apartment dwellers

Without home charging, savings shrink — compare public rates first.

Part 7 · The verdict

Why EV & Why petrol still exists

Why EV

✔2–4× cheaper per km at home.
✔Far lower maintenance over the car’s life.
✔Zero tailpipe emissions.
✔Instant, quiet performance.
✔Payback on the price gap in 3–6 years.

Why petrol still exists

✕Higher purchase price upfront.
✕Long trips need charging stops (15–30 min).
✕Charging network gaps in some regions.
✕Cold weather reduces range.
✕Home charging not possible for everyone.

Part 8 · The vocabulary

Quick glossary

The comparison terms you need to know.

TCO

Total Cost of Ownership — purchase + fuel + maintenance + insurance over the years.

Payback period

Years until fuel/maintenance savings repay the higher purchase price.

kWh/100 km

EV energy consumption.

L/100 km

Petrol consumption.

WLTP

The European range/consumption test standard.

Regenerative braking

Recaptures braking energy — extends range and brake life.

Tank-to-wheel

Emissions measured at the vehicle only (0 for EVs).

Well-to-wheel

Full lifecycle emissions including electricity production.

ICE

Internal Combustion Engine — petrol/diesel cars.

Range anxiety

Fear of running out of charge mid-trip.

Off-peak tariff

Cheap overnight electricity for charging.

Total CO₂ lifetime

Includes manufacturing, battery, energy and disposal.

Part 9 · Questions

EV vs petrol FAQ

Is an EV really cheaper to run than petrol?

Yes, usually 2–4× cheaper per km when charging at home, and maintenance is lower. The savings depend on local electricity and fuel prices — use the calculator.

How many years until an EV pays back?

For an average 15,000 km/year driver with home charging, the higher purchase price is typically recovered in 3–6 years through fuel and maintenance savings.

Are EVs better for the environment?

Yes, over a lifetime. They emit 0 tailpipe CO₂ and, even accounting for manufacturing and electricity generation, produce far less lifetime CO₂ than petrol cars.

Which is cheaper to maintain?

EVs, by a wide margin: no oil changes, no exhaust system, no spark plugs, and brakes last much longer thanks to regeneration.

Do EVs lose value faster than petrol cars?

Historically yes, but the gap is narrowing as batteries improve and demand grows. Government incentives can also offset faster initial depreciation.

Is an EV good for long trips?

Yes, with planning. Modern EVs add 300+ km in ~20 minutes on fast chargers. Expect 1–2 charging stops on a long journey, versus one quick fuel stop.

What if I cannot charge at home?

Without home charging, savings shrink because public fast charging costs more. Compare your local public rates before buying an EV.

Which is better: EV or hybrid?

For short trips and home charging, a full EV wins. For frequent long journeys or no charging access, a plug-in hybrid is a safer bridge.

Comparisons use indicative 2026 averages. Real figures depend on your market, car and driving patterns.

Continue reading

Run the numbers for your driving

Enter your mileage and local prices to see your real annual savings.

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 vs Petrol the honest comparison