Skip to content
Vehicles

EV vs Petrol Calculator

Compare an electric vehicle against a petrol car on purchase price, energy costs, servicing and rego to find the exact break-even point in years.

km
L/100km
$/L
$
$
$
kWh/100km
$/kWh
%
$/kWh
$
$
$
years

Your results

Petrol annual running cost$3,900.00
EV annual running cost$1,884.00
Annual saving with EV$2,016.00
Purchase price difference$20,000.00
Simple payback on price difference9.9 years
YearCumulative saving
1$2,016.00
2$4,032.00
3$6,048.00
4$8,064.00
5$10,080.00

Calculation breakdown

EV charging cost
(15,000 km ÷ 100) × 16 kWh/100km, split between home and public charging = $1,884.00/yr
Annual saving
$3,900.00 − $1,884.00 = $2,016.00

Assumptions

  • Electricity tariffs, public charging rates and petrol prices are user inputs and vary by state, retailer and time.
  • Servicing and registration costs are annual averages and vary by vehicle and location.
  • Payback compares only the purchase price difference against running-cost savings, not resale value or finance costs.

Results are estimates only and are not financial, tax, legal or credit advice.

Actual prices, usage, efficiency and savings vary by provider, equipment, location and behaviour.

How this calculator works

Enter the purchase price, energy or fuel consumption, electricity and petrol prices, and annual servicing for each vehicle. The calculator compares yearly running costs, cumulative savings and how long it takes for the cheaper-to-run vehicle to recover any higher upfront price.

Frequently asked questions

What electricity price should I use?

Use your off-peak home rate if you mostly charge overnight. Public fast charging is typically several times more expensive and will lengthen the break-even period.

Why is EV servicing cheaper?

Electric drivetrains have far fewer moving parts and no oil changes, though tyres, brake fluid and cabin filters still need attention.

Are incentives included?

Not automatically. Reduce the EV purchase price by any rebate or stamp duty concession you expect to receive.

Results are estimates only and are not financial, tax, legal or credit advice.

Actual prices, usage, efficiency and savings vary by provider, equipment, location and behaviour.

Related calculators

← Back to all calculators