What is Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)?

TCO is the full cost of owning and running a vehicle over a period of years — not just the purchase price. It includes energy costs, servicing, insurance, registration, and depreciation. This calculator compares the TCO of an EV against an equivalent petrol vehicle so you can see when (and by how much) an EV becomes cheaper.

How energy costs are calculated

For EVs, the energy cost per km depends on consumption (kWh/100km), your charging mix (% home, % public DC, % solar), and the rates for each. Home electricity rates are sourced from AER data by state. Public DC charging rates vary by network and are averaged. Solar charging is treated as near-zero marginal cost.

For petrol cars, cost per km = (L/100km ÷ 100) × petrol price per litre (state average).

Servicing costs

EVs have significantly fewer moving parts than petrol vehicles — no oil changes, no exhaust system, no transmission service. Our servicing figures are based on OEM service schedules and real-world owner reports. Petrol servicing averages around $600–$900 per year; EV servicing is typically $200–$400 per year.

Depreciation methodology

Vehicle values are modelled using a declining-balance depreciation curve calibrated to Australian used-car market data. EVs currently depreciate at a similar rate to equivalent petrol vehicles, though this varies by make and model.

EV road user charges (RUC)

NSW, VIC, and SA charge EVs 2.8c per km in lieu of fuel excise, collected by the ATO. WA charges 2.5c/km. Other states currently have no charge. These are included automatically based on your selected state.

Break-even calculation

The break-even point is when the cumulative total cost of the EV equals the cumulative total cost of the petrol vehicle. Because EVs typically cost more upfront but have lower running costs, the break-even is usually 2–6 years depending on the vehicle pair and annual kilometres driven.

Prices and rates are updated quarterly. Results are estimates only and do not account for individual financing costs, private sale prices, or specific usage patterns. Not financial advice.