Is an EV worth it? TCO calculator
Compare total ownership cost of an EV and an ICE car by mileage, energy price, servicing and purchase price.
Electric vehicle
ICE comparison
Comparison parameters
TCO comparison results
| Cost item | EV | ICE |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel / electricity per year | €472.50 | €1596 |
| Maintenance per year | €180 | €480 |
| Insurance per year | €1400.00 | €980.00 |
| Total TCO over 5 years | €50262.50 | €43280 |
Cumulative cost by year
Simplified model without residual value. Insurance is estimated as 3.5% of purchase price.
How to estimate whether an EV is worth it
Looking only at fuel and electricity cost is not enough. A realistic comparison should also consider purchase price, annual mileage, maintenance and the way you charge. Drivers who can charge mostly at home usually see a much lower running cost than those relying on public fast charging.
This calculator focuses on total cost of ownership over several years. It shows how much cash leaves your pocket in each scenario, how large the yearly saving is and when the purchase-price gap starts to close.
What has the biggest impact on EV cost
The biggest variables are annual mileage, electricity price and charging mix. Insurance can also matter because it scales with vehicle price. EV servicing is often simpler, but the main financial swing usually comes from how much expensive DC charging you replace with cheaper home charging.