EV Charging Cost vs Petrol Calculator
Enter your monthly mileage, your EV's real-world efficiency, your electricity price and what petrol costs where you fill up. The calculator shows your EV charging cost side by side with petrol — and exactly how much you save every month and year.
Your numbers
Everything updates live as you type.
Monthly comparison
per monthHome charging is usually far cheaper than public fast charging. If you mostly use public chargers, set the electricity price to 0.40–0.60 €/kWh for a realistic figure.
How the EV vs petrol comparison works
The math is deliberately simple — four multiplications and one subtraction. First the EV side: monthly energy is your distance divided by 100, times your car's efficiency.
EV kWh per month = (km ÷ 100) × kWh/100kmEV cost = EV kWh × €/kWh
Then the petrol side, using the same distance so the comparison is fair:
Petrol litres = (km ÷ 100) × L/100kmPetrol cost = litres × €/L
Your saving is simply petrol cost − EV cost, multiplied by 12 for the yearly figure. With the defaults above: 1,500 km needs 255 kWh at €0.32 = €81.60 for the EV, versus 105 litres at €1.75 = €183.75 for petrol — a saving of €102.15 per month, or €1,225.80 per year.
What this calculator does not include
- Purchase price and depreciation — this compares running costs only. Higher EV purchase prices take time to earn back; see our electric van vs diesel calculator for a payback-period view.
- Maintenance — EVs typically cost less to service (no oil changes, less brake wear), which only improves the EV's case.
- Insurance and taxes — these vary by country and driver and are left out so the energy comparison stays clean.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to charge an EV per month?
It depends on your mileage and electricity price. At 1,500 km/month, 17 kWh/100km and €0.32/kWh, you use 255 kWh and pay €81.60 per month. Enter your own numbers above — everything recalculates live.
Is an EV really cheaper to run than a petrol car?
Almost always, yes, on energy alone. Electricity per kilometre typically costs one third to one half of petrol per kilometre. The gap is biggest if you charge at home on a cheap tariff and drive a lot.
Should I use my home electricity price or public charging prices?
Use whichever matches how you actually charge. Home charging (often €0.25–€0.35/kWh) is the cheapest; public fast chargers (€0.40–€0.60/kWh) narrow the saving. Many drivers mix both — enter a weighted average.
Does driving style change the result?
Yes. Aggressive driving, motorway speeds and winter heating all raise your kWh/100km. If your car's display shows a higher real-world figure than the brochure, use the real-world number above for an honest comparison.
What about the higher purchase price of an EV?
This calculator compares monthly running costs only. To see how long fuel savings take to cover a higher purchase price, use our electric van vs diesel calculator, which computes the payback period and the 5-year total.
Last updated: September 2026.
Disclaimer: True EV Cost tools are for information only and are not professional financial advice. Prices vary by country and provider — use your own tariffs for the most accurate result.