EV vs Petrol Running Cost Comparisons
Real 5-year cost breakdowns pairing 16 popular Australian EVs with the petrol model they cross-shop against — energy, rego, insurance, servicing and depreciation, all in AUD.
Hatchbacks
3 comparisons in this category
BYD Dolphin vs Toyota Corolla Ascent Sport
- EV driveaway
- $38,990
- Petrol driveaway
- $33,990
EV 5-yr cost
$37,364
Petrol 5-yr cost
$35,840
Petrol is $1,524 cheaper over 5 years
See full 5-year breakdownGWM Ora Funky Cat vs Toyota Corolla Ascent Sport
- EV driveaway
- $42,990
- Petrol driveaway
- $33,990
EV 5-yr cost
$38,296
Petrol 5-yr cost
$35,840
Petrol is $2,456 cheaper over 5 years
See full 5-year breakdownMG MG4 Essence vs Mazda Mazda 3 Pure
- EV driveaway
- $46,990
- Petrol driveaway
- $33,990
EV 5-yr cost
$40,496
Petrol 5-yr cost
$36,032
Petrol is $4,464 cheaper over 5 years
See full 5-year breakdownSedans
3 comparisons in this category
Tesla Model 3 RWD vs BMW 320i
- EV driveaway
- $63,400
- Petrol driveaway
- $78,900
EV 5-yr cost
$46,101
Petrol 5-yr cost
$70,795
EV saves $24,694 (35%) over 5 years
See full 5-year breakdownBYD Seal vs Toyota Camry Ascent 2.5
- EV driveaway
- $64,990
- Petrol driveaway
- $42,990
EV 5-yr cost
$51,813
Petrol 5-yr cost
$41,746
Petrol is $10,067 cheaper over 5 years
See full 5-year breakdownTesla Model 3 Long Range vs Mercedes-Benz C200
- EV driveaway
- $76,400
- Petrol driveaway
- $89,900
EV 5-yr cost
$52,116
Petrol 5-yr cost
$77,351
EV saves $25,235 (33%) over 5 years
See full 5-year breakdownSUVs
10 comparisons in this category
MG ZS EV vs Hyundai Kona 2.0 MPI
- EV driveaway
- $46,990
- Petrol driveaway
- $37,990
EV 5-yr cost
$40,744
Petrol 5-yr cost
$40,166
Petrol is $578 cheaper over 5 years
See full 5-year breakdownBYD Atto 3 vs Hyundai Kona 2.0 MPI
- EV driveaway
- $48,990
- Petrol driveaway
- $37,990
EV 5-yr cost
$43,145
Petrol 5-yr cost
$40,166
Petrol is $2,979 cheaper over 5 years
See full 5-year breakdownBYD Atto 3 Extended Range vs Toyota RAV4 GX 2.0
- EV driveaway
- $54,990
- Petrol driveaway
- $45,990
EV 5-yr cost
$46,470
Petrol 5-yr cost
$42,639
Petrol is $3,831 cheaper over 5 years
See full 5-year breakdownHyundai Kona Electric vs Hyundai Kona 2.0 MPI
- EV driveaway
- $62,900
- Petrol driveaway
- $37,990
EV 5-yr cost
$45,102
Petrol 5-yr cost
$40,166
Petrol is $4,936 cheaper over 5 years
See full 5-year breakdownKia Niro EV vs Hyundai Kona 2.0 MPI
- EV driveaway
- $62,990
- Petrol driveaway
- $37,990
EV 5-yr cost
$46,063
Petrol 5-yr cost
$40,166
Petrol is $5,897 cheaper over 5 years
See full 5-year breakdownTesla Model Y RWD vs BMW X3 xDrive20i
- EV driveaway
- $67,400
- Petrol driveaway
- $89,900
EV 5-yr cost
$48,149
Petrol 5-yr cost
$79,039
EV saves $30,890 (39%) over 5 years
See full 5-year breakdownHyundai Ioniq 5 vs Toyota RAV4 GX 2.0
- EV driveaway
- $71,900
- Petrol driveaway
- $45,990
EV 5-yr cost
$49,768
Petrol 5-yr cost
$42,639
Petrol is $7,129 cheaper over 5 years
See full 5-year breakdownVolvo EX30 Twin Motor vs BMW X1 sDrive20i
- EV driveaway
- $79,990
- Petrol driveaway
- $75,900
EV 5-yr cost
$53,147
Petrol 5-yr cost
$69,651
EV saves $16,504 (24%) over 5 years
See full 5-year breakdownSubaru Solterra AWD vs Subaru Forester 2.5i
- EV driveaway
- $79,990
- Petrol driveaway
- $50,990
EV 5-yr cost
$55,143
Petrol 5-yr cost
$45,600
Petrol is $9,543 cheaper over 5 years
See full 5-year breakdownKia EV6 GT-Line AWD vs BMW X3 xDrive20i
- EV driveaway
- $82,990
- Petrol driveaway
- $89,900
EV 5-yr cost
$58,729
Petrol 5-yr cost
$79,039
EV saves $20,310 (26%) over 5 years
See full 5-year breakdownComparison FAQs
Which saves more over 5 years: an EV or its petrol equivalent?
In our Australian data, 5 of the 16 EVs we compare cost less to run over 5 years than the petrol model they replace. The biggest saving is the Tesla Model Y RWD versus the BMW X3 xDrive20i — about $30,890 over 5 years — driven by far cheaper energy per kilometre and lower servicing.
What is included in each comparison?
Every comparison totals five cost categories over five years at 15,000 km/year (NSW defaults): energy or fuel, registration (with EV discounts where they apply), insurance, servicing and depreciation. Figures use each model’s real efficiency or fuel consumption and Australian prices in AUD, so you compare like for like.
Can I adjust the assumptions for my situation?
Yes. Each comparison page embeds the interactive calculator, pre-set to the two vehicles, so you can change your state, annual kilometres, ownership period and charging mix to see your own 5-year result instantly.