Ownership cost calculator
Petrol vs EV Cost Calculator
Petrol versus EV cost comparison needs more than fuel versus electricity. Charging setup, insurance, tyres, purchase price, servicing and ownership period can all create surprises after purchase.
Estimate only
Use your own assumptions before trusting the number
This page starts with example assumptions so the calculator is usable straight away. Replace them with your real prices, quotes and vehicle data before relying on the estimate.
This calculator compares costs only.
It does not recommend Petrol, Hybrid or EV for your situation.
The assessment still handles fit.
DriveClarity considers your life, vehicle needs, ownership worries and practical constraints separately.
Editable ownership assumptions
Compare Petrol vs EV costs
Change every input below. The calculator updates instantly and keeps the assumptions visible so you can see what could create an ownership-cost surprise.
Driving and price assumptions
Vehicle consumption assumptions
Optional ownership assumptions
Insurance, servicing, registration and purchase-price difference are included only when you enter them.
Estimated result
Petrol
- Annual fuel cost
- $2,400
- Annual electricity cost
- $0
- Annual running cost
- $2,400
- Ownership-period cost
- $12,000
Estimated result
EV
- Annual fuel cost
- $0
- Annual electricity cost
- $765
- Annual running cost
- $765
- Ownership-period cost
- $3,825
Simple comparison summary
Using the assumptions entered above, EV shows lower estimated ownership-period cost by $8,175 over 5 years. This is a cost estimate only, not a recommendation or buying instruction.
Estimated cost difference: $8,175. This is based only on the entered assumptions.
Simple visual comparison
Ownership-period estimate
The chart uses only the assumptions shown on this page. It does not include hidden DriveClarity recommendation logic.
Ownership timeline
How the estimate grows over time
Year 1
- Petrol
- $2,400
- EV
- $765
Year 3
- Petrol
- $7,200
- EV
- $2,295
Year 5
- Petrol
- $12,000
- EV
- $3,825
Purchase price difference is shown at the full ownership-period point. Edit it above if the real drive-away prices differ.
Calculation formulas
How the numbers are calculated
Annual fuel cost = annual kilometres / 100 x L/100km x petrol price.
Annual electricity cost = annual kilometres / 100 x kWh/100km x electricity price.
Annual running cost = energy cost + insurance + servicing + registration estimate.
Ownership-period cost = annual running cost x ownership period, plus any purchase price difference entered.
Assumptions used
Nothing is hidden
These are the exact values driving the estimate. Replace every example value with current quotes, prices or vehicle data before relying on the comparison.
- Annual kilometres
- 15,000 km
- Ownership period
- 5 years
- Petrol price
- $2.00 / L
- Electricity price
- $0.30 / kWh
- Petrol consumption
- 8 L/100km
- Hybrid consumption
- 5 L/100km
- EV energy consumption
- 17 kWh/100km
- Petrol insurance
- $0
- EV insurance
- $0
- Petrol servicing
- $0
- EV servicing
- $0
- Petrol registration estimate
- $0
- EV registration estimate
- $0
- EV purchase price difference
- $0 compared with Petrol
Ownership education
What influences ownership cost?
The estimate can move quickly when one assumption changes. That is why DriveClarity keeps each input editable and visible before you rely on the result.
Annual kilometres
Higher annual distance can make fuel or electricity differences more important over time.
Fuel and electricity prices
Both can change. Use current prices that reflect where and how you actually refuel or charge.
Insurance and servicing
The exact model, location, driver profile and service network can change these costs.
Ownership duration
The longer you keep the vehicle, the more recurring costs can influence the estimate.
Purchase price difference
A lower running cost can be offset by a higher drive-away price, depending on the numbers.
Charging or refuelling routine
Cost is only useful if the ownership routine remains practical for normal weekly use.
Buyer checks
Check the ownership picture, not just energy cost
Enter your own annual kilometres, fuel price, electricity price, fuel consumption, EV energy consumption and ownership period. The estimate compares running energy costs only and does not guarantee savings.
Charging source
Home, work or public charging changes the cost picture.
Electricity price
Use your real electricity plan where possible.
Tyres and insurance
Quote the exact vehicle.
Purchase price
Compare drive-away price, not only running cost.
FAQ
Cost calculator questions
What assumptions should I use?
Use current petrol and electricity prices, realistic annual kilometres, verified fuel or energy consumption data, and real insurance or servicing quotes where possible.
Why can Petrol vs EV estimates change?
The estimate changes with petrol price, electricity price, charging source, energy consumption, insurance, servicing, purchase price difference and ownership period.
Does this include insurance?
Insurance is included only when you enter an annual insurance estimate for each vehicle type. It is not hidden or assumed.
Does this include depreciation?
No. Depreciation is not estimated because it depends on the exact vehicle, purchase price, market demand, battery confidence, condition and timing.
Can fuel or electricity prices change the result?
Yes. Petrol and electricity prices can both change the comparison. Public charging can also differ from home charging, so users should edit the electricity price assumption.
Does this replace professional advice?
No. The calculator is an educational estimate only. Confirm real vehicle prices, finance, insurance, charging costs, condition and contract terms before purchase.
Why the Buyer Report still matters
Education does not replace the Buyer Report reveal.
Next step
Ready to find out what may fit your situation?
This calculator compares ownership costs using your assumptions. The DriveClarity assessment considers your life, vehicle needs, ownership worries and practical constraints as well.
Related decision paths
Keep building confidence before you buy
Use these connected guides to understand the ownership picture, compare trade-offs and move toward your recommendation when you are ready.
EV Charging In Australia: What To Check Before You Buy
Understand EV charging in Australia, including home charging, public charging, route planning and ownership questions before buying an electric vehicle.
Vehicle Ownership Costs
Look beyond purchase price and review the costs that shape ownership.
Vehicle Decision Centre
Start with how your life, vehicle needs and ownership questions fit together.
Vehicle Technology Explorer
Explore what Petrol, Hybrid, Plug-In Hybrid and EV could mean for real ownership.
Compare Vehicle Technologies
Compare ownership trade-offs before deciding what to investigate next.
How DriveClarity Works
See how DriveClarity separates free decision support from the paid Buyer Report reveal.
Ready for your result?
The free guides explain the options. The assessment shows what may fit your situation.