EV vs Petrol Total Cost Calculator
Compare the total running costs of an EV vs petrol car over 7 years in Queensland.
Your Driving Profile
12,600 km
500030000
ABS average is 12,600 km/year
8 L/100km
5 L/100km15 L/100km
$/L
80%
0%100%
Rest is public/commercial charging
$/kWh
$/kWh
Petrol ~$1,200/yr vs EV ~$300/yr
Annual Fuel Savings
$1,210
Total Savings (7yr)
$16,476
Petrol Cost/km
15.2c
EV Cost/km
5.6c
Cumulative Running Costs
- Electric Vehicle
- Petrol Car
Annual Breakdown
| Petrol fuel cost/year | $1,915 |
| EV charging cost/year | $706 |
| Fuel savings/year | $1,210 |
| Servicing savings/year | $900 |
| Total annual savings | $2,110 |
| CO2 savings | 917 kg/yr |
What this means
Driving electric in Queensland saves you about $2,110 per year in running costs compared to a petrol car. Over 7 years, that adds up to $16,476. Add solar panels to reduce your charging costs even further.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to charge an EV at home?
At average Australian electricity rates (~30c/kWh), charging a typical EV costs about $4-5 per 100km. That's roughly 1/3 to 1/4 the cost of petrol. If you charge from solar, it's essentially free (just the opportunity cost of lost feed-in).
Is an EV really cheaper to run?
Yes, significantly. EVs are about 3-4x more energy efficient than petrol cars. Combined with lower servicing costs (no oil changes, fewer brake replacements, no timing belt), most EV owners save $1,500-3,000 per year in running costs compared to an equivalent petrol car.
What about battery replacement?
Modern EV batteries are designed to last the life of the vehicle. Most manufacturers warranty their batteries for 8 years or 160,000km with at least 70% capacity remaining. Real-world data shows most batteries retain 90%+ capacity at 200,000km.
Can I charge an EV from solar?
Absolutely — and it's the cheapest way to drive. A typical EV driving 40km/day needs about 6-8kWh of charging, which a 6.6kW solar system can easily provide during the day if your car is home. Some chargers can be programmed to only draw excess solar.