Is an electric car really cheaper than a petrol car?

In many cases yes, especially regarding running costs. Electric cars have lower energy costs (electricity is cheaper than petrol/diesel per km), no road tax until 2030, and significantly lower maintenance costs (no oil changes, less brake wear due to regenerative braking). The higher purchase price is offset by lower operating costs depending on driving profile and ownership period. Our TCO calculator shows the individual break-even point.

How much does it cost to drive an electric car 100 km?

At an average consumption of 18 kWh/100km and a household electricity price of 35 ct/kWh, 100 km costs about €6.30. At public charging stations (55 ct/kWh), costs rise to about €9.90/100km. For comparison: a petrol car with 7 L/100km and €1.75/L costs €12.25/100km. Home charging is thus almost 50% cheaper than petrol.

How do I calculate the total cost of ownership of a car?

Total Cost of Ownership includes all costs over the ownership period: purchase price minus residual value (depreciation), energy costs (electricity or fuel), insurance, maintenance and repairs, road tax, and one-time costs like wallbox installation. Our calculator also accounts for price increases in electricity and fuel, as well as progressive road tax calculation.

Are there still subsidies for electric cars in 2026?

The federal subsidy (Umweltbonus) expired at the end of 2023. However, some federal states and municipalities still offer regional funding programs, e.g., for wallbox installation or commercial EVs. Manufacturers sometimes also offer their own EV premiums. Enter any received subsidies in the 'Subsidy / Grant' field to correctly calculate the TCO.

Are electric cars really cheaper to maintain?

Yes, significantly. EVs have fewer wear parts: no combustion engine, no transmission in the traditional sense, no exhaust system, no oil changes, no timing belt. Brakes wear less due to regenerative braking. Typical annual maintenance costs: EV €300-400, combustion engine €600-800. Over 5 years, you save €1,500-2,000 on maintenance alone.

How much do electric cars depreciate compared to petrol cars?

EV depreciation has approached that of combustion cars in recent years. After 5 years and 75,000 km, EVs typically retain 40-50% of their new price, while combustion cars retain 45-55%. The battery warranty (usually 8 years / 160,000 km) supports residual value. Important: rapid technological change can cause stronger depreciation.

At what annual mileage does an electric car pay off?

The more you drive, the faster the EV pays off. With low energy costs (home charging) and 15,000 km/year, many EVs reach break-even against a comparable combustion car after 3-5 years. At 20,000+ km/year, break-even can be reached in 2-3 years. Low-mileage drivers under 8,000 km/year benefit less from the cost advantage.

How does the 0.25% rule work for EV company cars?

Employees who also use a company car privately must pay tax on the benefit in kind. For EVs with a gross list price up to €70,000, the rate is only 0.25% per month (instead of 1% for combustion engines). For an EV with a €40,000 list price, this means: €100/month vs. €400/month for a combustion car — a tax saving of €300/month. This regulation applies until at least the end of 2030.

Do electric cars have to pay road tax?

No, electric cars are exempt from road tax until 2030 (maximum 10 years from first registration). After that, tax will likely be calculated by weight. For combustion engines, road tax typically amounts to €100-400 per year depending on displacement and CO₂ emissions. Over a 5-year ownership period, an EV saves €500-2,000 in road tax compared to a comparable combustion car.

How does home vs. public charging affect costs?

The difference is significant: home charging currently costs about 35 ct/kWh, public charging 45-79 ct/kWh. At 18 kWh/100km and 15,000 km/year: home charging €945/year, 100% public about €1,620/year — a difference of €675/year. Those with solar panels can charge even cheaper (8-12 ct/kWh). Home charging share is one of the most important factors for EV economics.

EV Not Worth It? These Driving Profiles Are the Exception | EV Cost Calculator

For Whom an EV Is Not (Yet) the Best Choice

Despite all the advantages in operating costs, there are driving profiles and life situations where an EV is not yet the best economic option in 2026. Honesty is important: the switch does not pay off for everyone. Here are the main exceptions and the reasons behind them.

Exception 1: Low-Mileage Drivers Without Home Charging

Those who drive less than 8,000 kilometers per year and have no way to charge at home face a difficult calculation. The lower operating costs cannot compensate for the higher purchase price within the usual ownership period. At only 5,000 km/year and exclusively public charging (55 ct/kWh), the EV saves only about EUR 300/year in energy costs compared to an economical petrol car. The purchase price difference of EUR 8,000 would take over 25 years to recoup.

What Makes More Sense Instead

For low-mileage drivers without charging options, an economical petrol car, a hybrid, or car sharing may be the better choice. A used EV at a significantly lower purchase price can also improve the calculation.

Exception 2: Long-Distance Commuters Without Charging Stop Tolerance

Those who drive 200 kilometers or more of highway daily and have no time for charging stops reach limits with current EVs. Range drops by 20 to 30 percent at high speeds (highway driving at 130 km/h). An EV with 400 km WLTP range often only manages 280 to 320 km on the highway.

Additionally, the highway charging network has improved but is not always reliable. Waiting times at occupied charging stations can disrupt schedules. For drivers who need to arrive on time every day, this can be a dealbreaker.

Exception 3: Budget-Oriented Used Car Buyers

Those looking for a car for EUR 5,000 to 10,000 will find a huge selection in the combustion used car market. EVs in this price range are rare and often offer lower range, as they are older models with smaller batteries. For price-conscious buyers, a used combustion car often remains the only realistic option.

Exception 4: Towing and Heavy-Load Users

EVs can tow trailers, but range drops drastically, often by 40 to 60 percent. Those who regularly tow heavy trailers, horse transporters, or caravans are often better served with a diesel SUV or van. The gap is slowly closing: models like the Mercedes EQE SUV or the BMW iX can tow up to 2,500 kg, but the range penalty remains an issue.

Exception 5: Renters Without Their Own Parking Space

Without a dedicated parking space with charging capability, charging an EV is more cumbersome and expensive. While there is a right to a wallbox in the underground garage (WEMoG law), implementation often fails in practice due to the owners' association, missing infrastructure, or high installation costs. Those who rely exclusively on public chargers pay significantly more and must plan charging times.

How the Situation Is Improving

All of the exceptions mentioned will become less relevant over time. Ranges are increasing, charging infrastructure is growing, purchase prices are falling, and the used market is expanding. By 2027 or 2028, many of these limitations may be largely gone. For those whom the EV does not yet suit: monitor developments and regularly run the TCO calculator with current values.