EV vs Petrol Running Cost Calculator
Compare what you actually spend on fuel vs electricity each month. Enter your driving distance, EV consumption, electricity rate, and petrol fuel economy — see the monthly and annual savings side by side.
Last updated: May 2026
Enter driving distance, electricity rate, EV consumption, petrol price, and fuel economy above.
Running costs only — does not include purchase price, insurance, maintenance, or road tax
EV vs petrol — how the running cost comparison works
This calculator compares only the fuel/energy cost of driving an EV versus a petrol car. It does not include purchase price, insurance, or maintenance — those vary too much by vehicle to give a meaningful comparison here. For most drivers, fuel costs are the largest day-to-day difference.
Formula reference
| What you get | Formula | Example (1 500 km/month) |
|---|---|---|
| EV monthly cost | km × (Wh/km ÷ 1000) × rate (€/kWh) | 1 500 × 0.17 × €0.28 = €71.40 |
| Petrol monthly cost | km × (L/100km ÷ 100) × price (€/L) | 1 500 × 0.07 × €1.80 = €189.00 |
| Monthly savings | Petrol cost − EV cost | €189.00 − €71.40 = €117.60 |
| Annual savings | Monthly savings × 12 | €117.60 × 12 = €1 411.20 |
What this comparison does and does not include
- Included: electricity cost to drive the EV; petrol cost to drive the equivalent distance
- Not included: purchase price difference, finance costs, insurance, road tax, tyres, servicing
- EVs typically have lower maintenance costs (no oil changes, fewer brake replacements), which would make the real-world advantage larger than this calculator shows
- If you charge mainly at public DC chargers the electricity rate will be higher — use €0.50–€0.70 for a realistic public-charging scenario
Frequently Asked Questions
How much cheaper is an EV to run than a petrol car?
At typical Western European rates (€0.28/kWh electricity, €1.80/L petrol), a 170 Wh/km EV driving 1 500 km/month costs about €71/month in energy. A comparable 7 L/100km petrol car costs about €189/month — a saving of roughly €118/month or €1 400/year. Enter your own figures above for an exact comparison.
Does the calculator account for charging efficiency losses?
No — like the EV consumption figure itself, the calculator uses net kWh delivered to the battery. Real grid draw is 5–12% higher due to AC charging losses. If you want a more conservative EV cost, increase your Wh/km figure by 8–10% to account for losses.
What if I charge mainly at public fast chargers?
Public DC fast chargers typically cost €0.50–€0.75/kWh. Enter that rate in the electricity field to see the cost for public-only charging. Many EV drivers mix home and public charging — enter a blended rate (e.g. €0.35/kWh) to reflect this.
Why does this not compare total cost of ownership?
Purchase price, residual value, financing, insurance, and service costs vary enormously by vehicle model, country, and how you finance the purchase. Including them in a simple calculator would require so many assumptions that the result would be misleading. Fuel/energy cost is the most comparable and consistent figure — use this alongside a specialist TCO tool for a full picture.