EV vs Gas Car: Real Cost Comparison Over 5 Years

The 5-Year Comparison

These numbers are based on a mid-range EV versus a comparable petrol car, both driven 15,000 km per year with home charging.

Over five years, the EV costs about 5,876 EUR less than the petrol car. The savings come from lower fuel costs (3,375 vs 8,925 EUR) and lower maintenance (6,000 vs 10,000 EUR). The EV's higher purchase price and charger installation are more than offset by those running cost advantages.

When Does the EV Break Even?

The EV costs about 11,500 EUR more upfront (40,000 + 1,500 vs 30,000 for the petrol car). But the running cost advantage is roughly 200 EUR per month: the EV saves about 93 EUR/month on fuel and about 67 EUR/month on maintenance.

After the breakeven point, every month of driving adds to your savings. By year five, you are roughly 5,876 EUR ahead. Drivers who cover more than 15,000 km per year or who have access to cheap off-peak electricity will break even faster.

What Shifts the Numbers

• → Electricity prices. At 0.15 EUR/kWh (off-peak), energy costs drop to 2,025 EUR over five years. At 0.40 EUR/kWh, they rise to 5,400 EUR.
• → Fuel prices. At 2.00 EUR/L, the petrol car's fuel bill jumps to 10,500 EUR. At 1.40 EUR/L, it drops to 7,350 EUR.
• → Annual kilometers. High-mileage drivers (25,000+ km/year) break even in under two years. Low-mileage drivers (8,000 km/year) may take four years or more.
• → Public-only charging. If you can only charge at public stations, your energy cost roughly doubles. The EV still saves money overall, but the margin shrinks.
• → Government incentives. Purchase subsidies, tax breaks, and reduced registration fees vary by country but can cut the upfront premium significantly.
• → Used EV prices. Buying a 2-3 year old EV eliminates the upfront premium entirely. Used EVs often reach cost parity with new petrol cars from day one.

Costs People Forget

• → Tires. EVs are heavier and produce more torque, which wears tires faster. Expect to replace them 10-20% sooner, and EV-specific tires can cost more.
• → Insurance. EV insurance can be higher due to higher repair costs and specialized parts. The gap is narrowing as insurers gain more experience with EVs, but it is worth comparing quotes.
• → Battery replacement. Unlikely within five years. Most manufacturers warranty the battery for 8 years or 160,000 km. But out-of-warranty replacement costs 8,000-15,000 EUR, so it matters for long-term ownership.
• → Charging infrastructure at home. If you rent or live in an apartment without charging access, you may need to rely on public charging entirely, which changes the cost equation.

The Bottom Line

For a typical European driver covering 15,000 km per year with home charging, an EV saves roughly 5,900 EUR over five years compared to a similar petrol car. The EV costs more upfront, but lower fuel and maintenance costs close the gap within about 2.5-3 years. After that, you are saving roughly 100 EUR per month. The case gets even stronger if you charge off-peak, drive more than average, or buy used.

These are baseline figures. Your actual costs depend on your electricity rate, fuel prices, how much you drive, and where you charge. Use the TCO Calculator to run the numbers with your own inputs.

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