What drives EV vs petrol cost in Australia?
Energy, insurance, maintenance, charging, and resale — these are the building blocks of car ownership cost. Each guide below explains one cost driver and shows you which calculator assumption to adjust for your situation.
Best used with the calculator open
- Read one cost driver so you know which assumption matters most for your situation.
- Open the calculator and compare the exact EV and petrol or hybrid pair you are considering.
- Re-run the same pair with a different annual km, tariff, or charging mix to see what really changes.
Topics
- Cost driversWhat drives TCO?
Purchase, energy, insurance, maintenance, finance, and residual — in plain language.
- Cost driversInsurance & maintenance estimates
Why I use flat annual figures and how to interpret them.
- Cost driversResidual value basics
How end-of-period resale assumptions swing 5-year totals.
- ChargingEV charging at home vs public — cost breakdown
How charging location changes your effective electricity rate and five-year EV running cost.
- EV vs HybridEV vs Hybrid — which saves more over 5 years?
Pure electric versus hybrid running costs in Australia — when the EV wins on TCO and when the hybrid holds its ground.
- Cost driversPHEV FBT exemption ended April 2025 — what now
From 1 April 2025, plug-in hybrid EVs lost the FBT exemption under novated lease. What that means for Australian buyers in 2026.