EV vs Petrol Savings Calculator
Estimate how much you could save each year by driving an EV instead of a petrol vehicle. Compare annual savings at every electricity price tier — from off peak home charging to ultra rapid DC.
EV vs petrol savings
Typical EV vs petrol savings in Australia
The potential saving from driving an EV instead of a petrol vehicle depends on electricity price, petrol price and the efficiency of both vehicles. Home charging produces the largest savings.
How this calculator works
This calculator estimates how much you could save each year by switching from a petrol vehicle to an electric vehicle. It compares the annual fuel cost of each vehicle to show your potential saving.
EV formula
EV annual cost = EV efficiency × Annual distance ÷ 100 × Electricity price
Petrol formula
Petrol annual cost = Fuel use × Annual distance ÷ 100 × Petrol price
Worked example
Annual distance: 15,000 km
EV efficiency: 16 kWh per 100 km · Electricity price: $0.30/kWh
Fuel use: 8 L per 100 km · Petrol price: $2.00/litre
EV annual cost: 16 × 15,000 ÷ 100 × $0.30 = $720/year
Petrol annual cost: 8 × 15,000 ÷ 100 × $2.00 = $2,400/year
Annual saving: $2,400 − $720 = $1,680/year
Price preset guide
Frequently asked questions
Is EV charging cheaper than petrol?
EVs often cost less per kilometre to run than petrol vehicles because electric motors use energy more efficiently. The exact savings depend on electricity prices, charging location and the vehicle's efficiency. Even when using public fast chargers, the cost per kilometre can still be lower than petrol for many vehicles, especially when fuel prices are high.
How much can I save by switching to an EV?
Annual savings depend on how far you drive, the price of electricity, the price of petrol and the efficiency of both vehicles. Using typical Australian figures of 15,000 km per year, a home electricity rate of $0.30 per kWh and petrol at $2.00 per litre, an EV can save roughly $1,600 to $1,700 per year in fuel costs compared with a petrol vehicle using 8 litres per 100 km. Savings are higher if you drive more kilometres per year, charge at off peak rates or if petrol prices are elevated.
Does electricity price affect EV running cost significantly?
Yes. Electricity price is one of the two main factors that determines EV running cost, along with vehicle efficiency. Charging at an EV off peak rate of $0.08 per kWh instead of a standard rate of $0.30 per kWh can reduce fuel cost by around 70 percent. On the other hand, relying heavily on public DC fast chargers at $0.65 per kWh or more can significantly reduce or eliminate the cost advantage over petrol for some vehicles. This is why charging behaviour has a large impact on the true running cost of an EV.
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