EV vs petrol running costs: what should you compare?
Compare energy and fuel fairly before adding broader ownership costs.
Use the same annual distance for both vehicles. For petrol, multiply litres per 100 km by distance and the current price per litre. For an EV, use kWh per 100 km, charging loss and your charging mix.
Petrol prices vary by city and week. Electricity bills vary by state, tariff and charging time. A useful comparison makes both values editable instead of treating one snapshot as permanent.
Running cost is only one part of ownership. Purchase price, insurance, servicing, registration, finance and resale need separate assumptions in a total-cost comparison.
Sources and further reading
Planning note: This guide is general information. Use the calculators with your own vehicle, charging and cost inputs before making a decision.
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