Last verified: 5 October 2026 · Default prices updated monthly.
EV vs petrol: your numbers
Reading the result honestly
This calculator covers energy only. The full picture adds servicing (EVs win, typically 30–50% cheaper — see servicing costs by brand), insurance (EVs can be 10–20% dearer — see the insurance guide), tyres (EVs wear them faster), and the purchase price gap, which current deals are rapidly closing. For salary-packaged buyers the novated lease calculator usually matters more than fuel maths.
Frequently asked questions
On typical numbers — 14,000km a year, $1.95/L petrol, 30¢/kWh home charging — an EV saves $1,500–2,000 a year on energy alone, plus $300–600 on servicing. High-km drivers and off-peak tariffs push savings past $4,000.
Yes — no oil, filters, spark plugs or exhaust, and regenerative braking means pads and discs last years longer. Budget more for tyres (EV torque and weight wear them faster); net servicing saving is typically 30–50%.
Insurance can run 10–20% higher on some EVs (see our insurance guide), and resale varies by brand — Tesla and mainstream Korean EVs hold value best so far. Factor both into a total-cost comparison, not just fuel.