EV vs Petrol Calculator

What is an EV vs Petrol Calculator?

An EV vs petrol calculator compares the total cost of owning an electric car versus an equivalent petrol car over time. Electric vehicles almost always cost more to buy but dramatically less to run — so the real question isn't which is cheaper today, but how many years of fuel and servicing savings it takes for the EV to come out ahead. This calculator answers that by modelling purchase price, energy costs, servicing, and your actual driving habits.

With petrol prices volatile and electricity (especially from home solar) comparatively cheap, the running-cost gap between EVs and petrol cars in Australia is substantial — often $1,500–$2,500 per year. Whether that justifies the higher upfront price depends on how much you drive and how long you keep the car.

How is the EV vs Petrol Comparison Calculated?

The calculator works out the per-kilometre energy cost of each vehicle, multiplies by your annual distance, adds servicing and registration, and compares the total cost of ownership including the purchase price over your chosen ownership period.

Example: A $58,000 EV versus a $42,000 petrol car, driving 15,000km/year. The EV costs ~$600/year to charge at home versus ~$2,200/year in petrol, plus saves ~$300/year on servicing — about $1,900/year. The $16,000 price difference breaks even in roughly 8.4 years of running savings alone (sooner with solar charging or a novated lease).

How to Use This EV vs Petrol Calculator

Enter the drive-away price of both vehicles you're comparing, your annual kilometres, and how long you plan to own the car. Add the EV's efficiency (kWh/100km) and your electricity rate — use a low rate if you charge from solar, a higher one if you rely on public fast charging. Enter the petrol car's fuel consumption and current petrol price. Optionally add servicing costs (EVs are cheaper to service). The calculator shows total cost of ownership for each and the break-even point.

What Your Results Mean

The headline figure shows which car is cheaper over your ownership period and by how much. The break-even point is when the EV's running savings have offset its higher purchase price — if you'll own the car longer than that, the EV wins financially. The running cost saving per year is the ongoing benefit regardless of purchase price, and it's where EVs shine: charging at home is roughly a quarter the cost of petrol per kilometre.

Is This Calculator Accurate?

It accurately compares running costs and total cost of ownership based on your inputs. What it doesn't include: depreciation (EVs and petrol cars depreciate differently and unpredictably), insurance (often slightly higher for EVs), home charger installation, state road-user charges for EVs, and the significant tax benefits of buying an EV through a novated lease (where the FBT exemption can flip the comparison heavily in the EV's favour). Treat it as a strong running-cost comparison, and consider those extra factors for your situation.

How to Choose Your Inputs

EV efficiency: Check the car's spec — small EVs use ~14kWh/100km, larger SUVs ~18–22. Electricity rate: This is the biggest lever — home off-peak ~22–28c, solar ~0c, public fast charging 50–60c. Use a blended rate if you mix sources. Petrol consumption: Real-world figures run 10–20% higher than the official combined number. Servicing: EVs have far fewer moving parts — no oil changes, fewer brake replacements (regen braking) — so they're typically $300–$400/year versus $600–$900 for petrol.

The EV Novated Lease Advantage in Australia

For Australian employees, the single biggest factor this calculator can't fully capture is the electric vehicle FBT exemption. Eligible EVs under the luxury car tax threshold (~$91,387) packaged through a novated lease can be paid for entirely from pre-tax salary with no FBT — frequently making an EV cheaper to own than a petrol car despite the higher sticker price. If you're employed and comparing an EV to petrol, run the numbers through a novated lease calculator as well; the tax savings often change the answer entirely.

Suitable for High and Low Kilometre Drivers

The more you drive, the faster an EV pays back — high-kilometre drivers (25,000km+/year) often break even in just 3–4 years because the per-kilometre fuel saving compounds quickly. Low-kilometre drivers (under 10,000km/year) save less on running costs, so the higher purchase price takes longer to recoup, and the decision leans more on non-financial factors like emissions, refinement, and convenience. Enter your real annual distance to see where you land.

Beyond the Numbers

Cost isn't the only consideration. EVs offer instant torque and quiet, smooth driving, the convenience of charging at home (no petrol stations), lower emissions, and fewer mechanical failures. Against that, consider charging infrastructure on your regular routes, longer "refuelling" time on road trips, battery degradation over many years, and higher upfront cost. For many buyers the running-cost saving is the deciding factor; for others the driving experience or environmental benefit tips the balance regardless of the exact break-even year.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Assuming public charging costs the same as home charging. Fast chargers can cost 2–3× home rates and erase the EV's advantage.
• Ignoring the novated lease tax benefit. For employees, the EV FBT exemption can make an EV cheaper than petrol outright.
• Forgetting home charger installation. A dedicated wall charger costs $1,000–$2,000 — factor it in.
• Using the official fuel figure. Real-world petrol consumption is typically 10–20% higher than the brochure number.
• Overlooking ownership length. If you change cars every 2–3 years, the EV may not reach break-even before you sell.

Limitations of This Calculator

This calculator compares purchase price plus energy and servicing costs. It does not model depreciation, insurance differences, home charger installation, state EV road-user charges, novated lease/FBT tax benefits, government EV incentives, or battery replacement. EV charging costs assume your entered rate applies to all charging. For comprehensive cost-of-ownership data, see the federal Green Vehicle Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions