Guide · 02
EV vs petrol: what actually drives cost
Four buckets matter. Marketing slogans do not.
1. Energy / fuel
Home electricity at a fair rate is usually far cheaper per mile than petrol. Public rapid charging can approach or exceed petrol per mile. Your mix of home vs public is the single biggest running-cost lever after annual mileage.
2. Servicing & consumables
EVs skip oil changes and many exhaust/engine items. You still pay for tyres (often faster wear on heavier, high-torque cars), brakes (often less), cabin filters, and manufacturer services. Model your annual allowance; do not assume “almost free.”
3. Insurance
EV insurance can be higher — repair networks, battery risk, and car value. Always compare real quotes for the exact models you are choosing; defaults in any calculator are placeholders.
4. Depreciation
Purchase price gap + residual value often dwarfs fuel savings over 3–5 years. A cheap used EV and an expensive new one tell completely different stories. Treat “% value lost” as a sensitivity control, not a forecast.