EV vs Petrol Running Costs in South Africa: Complete 2026 Comparison
EV vs Petrol: The Real Cost Per Kilometer
Electric vehicles cost R0.93/km to run versus R2.40/km for petrol – a 61% saving that translates to R26,900 annual savings for an average 50km/day commuter.
| Cost Factor | Electric Vehicle | Petrol Vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| Energy/Fuel Price | R5.15/kWh (Cape Town) | R24.00/L |
| Consumption | 18 kWh/100km | 10L/100km |
| Cost per km | R0.93/km | R2.40/km |
| Annual cost (18,250km) | R16,973 | R43,800 |
Annual fuel savings: R26,827
5-Year Total Cost of Ownership
BYD Atto 3 vs Toyota Corolla Cross
BYD Atto 3 (Electric):
- Purchase price: R627,900
- 5-year fuel cost: R84,865
- 5-year maintenance: R12,000
- Resale value: -R376,740 (60% depreciation)
- Total 5-year cost: R348,025
Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 (Petrol):
- Purchase price: R569,900
- 5-year fuel cost: R219,000
- 5-year maintenance: R45,000
- Resale value: -R341,940 (60% depreciation)
- Total 5-year cost: R491,960
EV saves R143,935 over 5 years despite higher purchase price!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much cheaper is it to run an EV than petrol in South Africa?
EVs cost R0.93/km to run (R5.15/kWh) versus R2.40/km for petrol (R24.00/L), making them 61% cheaper. For 50km/day driving, that’s R26,827 annual savings or R134,135 over 5 years.
What’s the total cost of ownership for an EV vs petrol car?
Over 5 years, a BYD Atto 3 costs R348,025 total versus R491,960 for a Toyota Corolla Cross – R143,935 less despite the EV’s higher purchase price. Savings come from lower fuel and maintenance costs.
Do EVs really save money considering the higher purchase price?
Yes. While EVs cost 10-15% more upfront, fuel savings of R26,827/year mean you recover the price difference in 2-3 years. Over 5 years, most EVs have lower total cost of ownership than equivalent petrol vehicles.
How much does it cost to charge an EV compared to filling petrol?
A full charge (60kWh battery) costs R309 at R5.15/kWh, giving 400km range (R0.77/km). Filling 50L of petrol costs R1,200 for 500km (R2.40/km). EVs cost 68% less per kilometer.
What if petrol prices go up – do EVs save even more?
Yes. If petrol hits R27/L (12.5% increase), petrol cars cost R2.70/km while EVs remain R0.93/km – making EVs 66% cheaper instead of 61%. EV economics improve as fuel prices rise.
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