Electric vs Petrol Lifetime Cost Calculator
Total cost of EV vs petrol over full ownership.
Compare lifetime cost of EV vs petrol vehicle including purchase, fuel/electricity, and maintenance over ownership years.
What this tool does
Enter EV price, petrol price, annual mileage, fuel cost per mile, electricity cost per mile, and ownership years. The tool shows lifetime cost of each.
Enter Values
Formula Used
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Disclaimer
Results are estimates for educational purposes only. They do not constitute financial advice. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.
EV vs petrol lifetime cost comparison shifts with each year as EV prices fall and electricity prices vary. Typical 2026: EV 35,000-45,000, petrol equivalent 25,000-35,000. EV running cost 4-6p/mile electricity vs 12-18p/mile petrol. Maintenance 30-50% lower on EV (no oil, fewer moving parts).
How to use it
Input EV price, petrol price, annual mileage, electricity cost per mile, petrol cost per mile, and ownership years. The tool shows lifetime cost of each.
What the result means
Lifetime cost includes purchase plus running. Cheaper option is winner. EV typically wins at higher mileages (savings compound), petrol at lower mileages.
Run it with sensible defaults
Using ev price of 38,000, petrol vehicle price of 30,000, annual mileage of 10,000, ev cost per mile of 0.05, the calculation works out to Petrol. Nudge the inputs toward your own situation and the output recalculates instantly. The defaults are meant as a starting point, not a recommendation.
The levers in this calculation
The inputs — EV Price, Petrol Vehicle Price, Annual Mileage, EV Cost Per Mile, and Petrol Cost Per Mile — do not pull with equal force. Two inputs usually tip the answer one way or the other. Identify which ones matter most by flipping each value past a round threshold and watching whether the winning option changes.
How the math works
Lifetime cost = purchase + (annual mileage × cost per mile × ownership years). Lower lifetime wins. The working is transparent — you can verify every step yourself in the formula section below. No black box, no opaque "proprietary model".
Beyond the number
Carbon, health, and local air quality don't show up on the calculator but often drive the decision. The financial figure is a lower bound on the value; the rest is whatever you'd pay for the non-financial benefits.
What this doesn't capture
Carbon reduction, health benefits, and local air quality have real value the financial figure doesn't price. The calculation gives the money side honestly; for the full picture, note the non-financial benefits alongside.
EV vs petrol lifetime produces comparison based on the inputs provided.
Inputs
This example uses typical values for illustration. Adjust the inputs above to match a specific situation and see how the result changes.
Sources & Methodology
Methodology
Lifetime cost = purchase + (annual mileage × cost per mile × ownership years). Lower lifetime wins.
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What about resale value?
Charging infrastructure?
What about insurance?
Government grants?
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