Electric is cheapest to run if you can charge at home — saving ~€1,800/year over petrol on fuel alone. Petrol is cheapest to buy upfront. Diesel makes sense only at 25,000+ km/year where the efficiency advantage overcomes higher fuel price, tax and servicing. For most Irish drivers doing 15,000–20,000 km/year, an EV on night-rate charging is the clear winner on total cost of ownership.
Fuel & electricity prices (as of April 2026)
Up from €1.76 in mid-2025. Average consumption: 7 L/100km.
Up from €1.68 in mid-2025. Average consumption: 6 L/100km.
Night-rate tariff. Average consumption: 16 kWh/100km.
Fuel prices sourced from GlobalPetrolPrices.com and AA Ireland March 2026 survey. EV tariffs from Pinergy, Bord Gais, Energia. Prices fluctuate — check current rates before making decisions.
Annual fuel cost at 15,000 km
| Fuel type | Consumption | Price | Cost per km | Annual (15,000 km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 7 L/100km | €1.95/L | €0.137 | €2,048 |
| Diesel | 6 L/100km | €2.15/L | €0.129 | €1,935 |
| EV (home night) | 16 kWh/100km | €0.10/kWh | €0.016 | €240 |
| EV (daytime) | 16 kWh/100km | €0.35/kWh | €0.056 | €840 |
| EV (public fast) | 16 kWh/100km | €0.60/kWh | €0.096 | €1,440 |
The average odo.ie user logging a 1.5–2.0L petrol car spends €136/month on fuel (~€1,630/year). EV users logging home charging average €22/month (~€264/year). These are real Irish figures from anonymised odo.ie aggregate data (Q1 2026).
Break-even mileage: when does an EV pay for itself?
EVs cost more to buy but less to run. The break-even point depends on the price premium and how you charge:
| Scenario | EV premium | Annual saving vs petrol | Break-even |
|---|---|---|---|
| New EV vs new petrol, home night charging | ~€5,000 | ~€1,800 | ~2.8 years |
| Used EV vs used petrol (3yr old), home night | ~€3,000 | ~€1,800 | ~1.7 years |
| New EV vs new petrol, public charging only | ~€5,000 | ~€600 | ~8.3 years |
| New EV vs new diesel, home night | ~€3,000 | ~€1,700 | ~1.8 years |
The EV cost advantage depends heavily on home charging. If you rely entirely on public fast chargers, the break-even stretches to 8+ years and may not be worthwhile. If you can charge at home on night rates, the EV is a clear financial win within 2–3 years.
Motor tax difference
Motor tax is based on CO2 emissions (post-July 2008 cars). The gap is significant:
| Car type | Typical CO2 | Annual motor tax |
|---|---|---|
| Small petrol (e.g. VW Polo) | 110–130 g/km | €190–€270 |
| Mid petrol (e.g. VW Golf) | 130–150 g/km | €270–€400 |
| Diesel SUV (e.g. Tucson) | 150–180 g/km | €280–€600 |
| Electric (any) | 0 g/km | €120 |
Over 5 years, a diesel SUV owner pays €1,400–€3,000 more in motor tax than an EV owner. See our full motor tax guide for complete rate tables.
Servicing & brake wear
| Cost item | Petrol | Diesel | EV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual service | €250–€350 | €300–€400 | €150–€250 |
| Oil changes | €80–€120/yr | €80–€120/yr | None |
| Brake pads (per axle) | Every 30–40k km | Every 30–40k km | Every 80–100k km |
| DPF / AdBlue | N/A | €300–€1,000+ if clogged | N/A |
| Timing belt | €400–€700 every 5yr | €400–€700 every 5yr | None |
| Tyres (annual, amortised) | €100–€175 | €100–€175 | €150–€225 |
| Estimated annual total | €400–€550 | €450–€650 | €200–€350 |
No oil, no exhaust, no timing belt, no clutch. Regenerative braking does 70–80% of the slowing, so brake pads last 2–3x longer. The trade-off: EV tyres wear faster (heavier car, instant torque) and cost 10–20% more. See our service interval guide.
Depreciation: the diesel dilemma
Depreciation is the single largest cost of car ownership. Here is where the three fuel types stand in 2026:
Stable and predictable. Petrol cars (especially smaller models like the Toyota Yaris, VW Polo) hold value well. Strong used demand. No existential policy threat.
Accelerating. Ireland's 2030 target and EU emissions rules are pushing buyers away from diesel. Used diesel values are weakening, especially for larger SUVs. DoneDeal data shows used EVs now priced 11% below comparable diesels — meaning diesel's premium is eroding.
Faster on new cars (technology and range improve annually, devaluing older models). But used EV prices are stabilising as supply matures. Buying a 2–3 year old EV avoids the worst depreciation.
In December 2025, the EU moved from a hard 2035 ICE ban to a 90% emissions reduction target. This means petrol and diesel cars will remain legally saleable (with restrictions) for longer than previously expected. Diesel values are unlikely to collapse overnight — but the long-term trend is clear.
Total annual cost comparison
Everything combined — a 3-year-old mid-range car, 15,000 km/year, driver aged 35 with full NCB (as of April 2026):
| Cost | Petrol | Diesel | EV (home night) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel / charging | €2,048 | €1,935 | €240 |
| Motor tax | €200 | €280 | €120 |
| Insurance | ~€600 | ~€620 | ~€560 |
| NCT (amortised) | €28 | €28 | €28 |
| Servicing + tyres | €475 | €525 | €380 |
| Depreciation (yr 3–4) | €2,500 | €2,800 | €3,200 |
| Tolls & parking | €400 | €400 | €400 |
| Total annual | €6,251 | €6,588 | €4,928 |
| Cost per km | €0.42 | €0.44 | €0.33 |
| Saving vs petrol | — | -€337/yr | +€1,323/yr |
Want to run the numbers for your exact car and mileage? Use the live running cost calculator on our cost-of-running guide.
Company car / Benefit in Kind
If your employer provides a car, the tax treatment in 2026 strongly favours EVs:
| Petrol / Diesel | Electric (Category A1) | |
|---|---|---|
| BIK rate range | 9–22.5% | 6–15% |
| OMV reduction | €10,000 (temporary) | €30,000 (€10k + €20k EV) |
| Example: €40,000 car, 24,000 km | BIK on ~€30,000 at ~15% | BIK on ~€10,000 at ~9% |
| Taxable benefit | ~€4,500 | ~€900 |
Source: Revenue.ie, Grant Thornton Budget 2026 analysis. The new Category A1 EV band and OMV reductions took effect 1 January 2026.
Which is right for you?
Choose EV if...
You have off-street parking and can install a home charger. You do 10,000+ km/year. You want the lowest running costs and are happy with a 2–3 year payback on the price premium.
Choose petrol if...
You need the lowest purchase price, do under 15,000 km/year, or live in an apartment without charging access. Best overall value for budget-conscious buyers.
Choose diesel if...
You do 25,000+ km/year (mostly motorway), tow regularly, or need a large SUV where EV range is insufficient. Be aware of higher tax, servicing costs, and long-term depreciation risk.
Track this with odo.ie — free forever, no card
Log your fuel or charging sessions in odo.ie and see your real L/100km (or kWh/100km) and € per km calculated automatically. Compare petrol vs EV side by side if you run both. The annual report shows exactly what you spent — broken down by fuel, services, tax, insurance and NCT.