EV vs Petrol Car Running Cost Calculator
By Santaji GadepatilinUpdated October 27, 2026
Electric cars cost less per kilometre to run than petrol cars in most places. Comparing fuel and electricity costs shows how much you could save. This free EV vs petrol car running cost calculator solves for whichever value you leave blank and shows the formula and steps.
How to use the EV vs petrol car running cost calculator
Enter yearly distance, the EV’s consumption and electricity price, and the petrol car’s consumption and fuel price. Yearly energy costs and savings are calculated.
Example
12,000 km a year; EV at 16 kWh/100 km and 0.15/kWh; petrol at 7 L/100 km and 1.60/L:
- EV = 288
- Petrol = 1,344
- Saving = 1,056 per year
Charging losses (about 10%) are not included — add them to the EV consumption for a closer estimate.
Cost per 100 km
| Vehicle | Consumption | Energy price | Cost per 100 km |
|---|---|---|---|
| EV (home charging) | 16 kWh | 0.15 per kWh | 2.40 |
| EV (fast charging) | 16 kWh | 0.45 per kWh | 7.20 |
| Petrol car | 7 L | 1.60 per L | 11.20 |
| Diesel car | 5.5 L | 1.50 per L | 8.25 |
Home charging, especially at off-peak rates, gives the biggest savings.
Beyond fuel costs
| Cost | EV vs petrol |
|---|---|
| Purchase price | Usually higher for EVs, gap narrowing |
| Maintenance | Lower — no oil changes, less brake wear |
| Insurance | Varies; can be higher |
| Taxes and incentives | Often favour EVs |
| Resale value | Depends on battery health and market |
Payback period
If an EV costs 5,000 more and saves 1,000 a year in running costs, the payback period is about 5 years. Use the yearly saving from this calculator with your own price difference.
Emissions
Even on grids with significant coal, most life-cycle studies find EVs emit less CO₂ over their lifetime than comparable petrol cars, and the gap grows as grids get cleaner. Battery production adds emissions up front that are typically paid back within 1–3 years of driving.
Frequently asked questions
Is an electric car cheaper to run?
Usually, per km — especially when charging at home. Public fast charging can cost several times more.
What is typical EV efficiency?
About 14–20 kWh per 100 km for most cars, more in winter or at high speed.
Does this include maintenance and purchase price?
No — energy cost only. EVs often have lower maintenance but may cost more to buy.
How much does it cost to charge an EV?
Battery size × electricity price. A 60 kWh battery at 0.15 per kWh costs about 9 for a full charge from empty, plus charging losses of around 10%.
How far does an EV go per kWh?
Typically 5–8 km per kWh.