5-year running cost · 15,000 km/yr · NSW
BYD DolphinVSToyota RAV4 GX 2.0
The BYD Dolphin is cheaper to run — by $5,275 over 5 years (12% lower total cost), driven mostly by energy / fuel.
- 5-yr cheaper total
- $37,364
- BYD Dolphin
- Saving vs rival
- $5,275
- 12% lower
- Cost per km
- $1
- vs $1
- Saving per year
- $1,055
- on average
Tale of the tape
Headline specs and running costs side by side.
| Metric | ⚡ BYD Dolphin | ⛽ Toyota RAV4 GX 2.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Driveaway price | $38,990 | $45,990 |
| Powertrain | Electric (BEV) | Petrol · ULP 91 |
| Efficiency | 16.1 kWh/100km | 7.8 L/100km |
| Battery / fuel | 44.9 kWh battery | Petrol · ULP 91 |
| Range | ~275 km real-world | — |
| Annual energy / fuel | $534 | $2,399 |
Run the numbers yourself
interactivePre-loaded with the BYD Dolphin and Toyota RAV4 GX 2.0. Adjust the state, annual distance, ownership period and charging mix to match your situation.
EV Running Cost Calculator
Compare the true 5-year ownership cost of an electric car vs its petrol equivalent in Australia.
Ownership period
Electric
BYD Dolphin
- Energy / Fuel
- $2,669
- Registration
- $2,500
- Insurance
- $9,000
- Servicing
- $1,750
- Depreciation
- $21,445
5-Year Total
$37,364
$1/km · $7,473/yr
Petrol
Toyota RAV4 GX 2.0
- Energy / Fuel
- $9,994
- Registration
- $2,500
- Insurance
- $7,500
- Servicing
- $2,750
- Depreciation
- $15,296
5-Year Total
$38,040
$1/km · $7,608/yr
5-Year Cost Breakdown
Energy / Fuel
Registration
Insurance
Servicing
Depreciation
5-year cost breakdown
Every category, both vehicles, and the difference.
| Category | BYD Dolphin | Toyota RAV4 GX 2.0 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy / fuel | $2,669 | $11,993 | −$9,324 |
| Registration | $2,500 | $2,500 | — |
| Insurance | $9,000 | $7,000 | +$2,000 |
| Servicing | $1,750 | $2,750 | −$1,000 |
| Depreciation | $21,445 | $18,396 | +$3,049 |
| Total (5 yrs) | $37,364 | $42,639 | $5,275 |
Which is cheaper to run?
Over 5 years of average Australian driving (15,000 km/year in NSW), the BYD Dolphin costs $37,364 to own and run, against $42,639 for the Toyota RAV4 GX 2.0. That is a $5,275 difference — about $1,055 a year, or $88 a month.
The single biggest swing is energy / fuel: across 5 years the gap is $9,324. Energy is where electric cars usually win — charging at home (especially on solar or off-peak rates) costs a fraction of petrol per kilometre — while the Toyota RAV4 GX 2.0's higher purchase price can narrow the gap through depreciation.
Estimates use average NSW electricity and fuel prices, typical insurance and servicing for this segment, and a 5-year depreciation model. Your numbers will vary with tariffs, driving style and resale values — use the calculator above for a tailored figure.
FAQ
- Is the BYD Dolphin cheaper to run than the Toyota RAV4 GX 2.0?
- Yes. Based on 15,000 km/year over 5 years in NSW, the BYD Dolphin costs $37,364 to run versus $42,639 for the Toyota RAV4 GX 2.0 — a saving of $5,275 (12%). The biggest difference is energy / fuel.
- How much does it cost to run the BYD Dolphin per year in Australia?
- Around $7,473 per year ($1/km), covering energy, registration, insurance, servicing and depreciation at 15,000 km/year in NSW.
- How much can I save switching from the Toyota RAV4 GX 2.0 to the BYD Dolphin?
- About $5,275 over 5 years — roughly $1,055 per year. Use the calculator above to adjust the state, annual distance and charging mix for your situation.