myEV vs Petrol Calculator
Quick trip cost estimate or full 5/10-year total ownership comparison.
About the EV vs Petrol Calculator
What it compares
Calculates the 5-year total cost of ownership for an electric vehicle (EV) versus an equivalent internal combustion engine (ICE/petrol) car, including purchase price, fuel or electricity costs, and servicing.
Why total cost matters
EVs typically have a higher purchase price but lower running costs. Whether an EV is cheaper overall depends on your annual mileage, local fuel and electricity prices, and how long you keep the vehicle.
- Purchase price — upfront cost including any applicable grants or incentives
- Fuel/electricity cost — based on your entered price per litre or per kWh and annual mileage
- Servicing — EVs have fewer moving parts and generally lower maintenance costs
Total cost of EV ownership vs petrol
Electric vehicles typically have higher purchase prices but lower running costs than equivalent petrol cars. The break-even point depends on annual mileage, electricity rate, fuel price, and the price premium of the EV. High-mileage drivers (15,000+ miles/year) with home charging tend to see the strongest financial case for an EV within 3-5 years of ownership.
- Purchase premium — EVs typically cost 20-40% more than equivalent petrol cars new; the gap narrows in the used market
- Running costs — at home charging rates, EVs typically cost 8-10p/mile vs 17-20p/mile for petrol
- Servicing — EVs have fewer moving parts; servicing costs typically 30-40% lower than ICE
- Depreciation — early EV models depreciated faster due to rapid technology change; newer models hold value better