What this calculator does

Compares the total cost of ownership across four fuel types over your chosen period. Annual running cost = fuel cost + service cost. If you enter purchase prices, the calculator adds the capital cost to find the break-even year against petrol as the baseline.

The SA load shedding factor

Load shedding forces EV owners to charge at public DC fast chargers more often than they would in a stable grid environment. Public charging in SA costs R4.50–R8.00/kWh — significantly more than home rates. The load shedding toggle blends home and public charging costs to give you a realistic running cost estimate.

Why EV servicing is significantly cheaper

EVs have no internal combustion engine, no oil, no spark plugs, no timing belt, and no exhaust system. Regenerative braking reduces brake wear significantly. The R3,500/year estimate reflects annual inspection, cabin air filter, tyres, and wiper blades. This gap widens as petrol and diesel vehicles age and require more complex maintenance.

Assumptions applied

• Hybrid vehicles use petrol at the stated consumption rate. Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) electricity costs are not separately modelled.
• Service cost estimates are indicative averages for standard mid-range passenger vehicles in SA. Premium brands cost significantly more.
• EV battery degradation (typically 2–3% per year for the first 5 years) is not modelled — this slightly understates EV costs over 7–10 year horizons.
• Fuel prices default to June 2026 DMPR official inland prices. Update them monthly for accurate projections.
• Break-even is calculated only when both the comparison vehicle price and the petrol vehicle price are entered.

What this calculator doesn't account for

• Does not model insurance cost differences between fuel types.
• Does not account for government EV incentives (none currently exist in SA at consumer level).
• Diesel costs include an R10,500/year service estimate reflecting DPF maintenance on modern clean diesel — older diesel vehicles may be cheaper to service.
• Public charging cost and availability vary significantly by city. Load shedding intensity varies by stage and season.