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# Electric vs Petrol: How to Work Out the Real Cost Over 5 Years
- URL: https://pressrex.com/electric-vs-petrol-car-real-cost/
- Published: 2026-11-08T00:39:45.000Z
- Updated: 2026-11-10T15:38:42.000Z
- Description: Purchase price, energy, maintenance, insurance and resale value: a fair method for comparing two cars.
- Author: adil
- Tags: Market, Buying Guide, #demo

An electric car often costs more to buy, but the sticker price does not tell the whole story. To compare fairly, think in terms of **total cost of ownership**.

## What to include

- **Purchase**: price, any incentives and the cost of finance.
- **Energy**: electricity at home and at public chargers, or fuel.
- **Maintenance**: usually lighter for an electric car.
- **Insurance**: compare model by model.
- **Equipment**: a home charger if you need one.
- **Resale value** after five years.

## The method

Add up every cost over the period, subtract the estimated resale value, then divide by the distance driven. You get a **cost per kilometre** that can be compared from one car to another.

> The more you drive and the more you charge at home, the better an electric car looks.

**Read next:** [Home EV Charger Guide: How to Choose the Right Wallbox](https://pressrex.com/home-ev-charger-guide/)