Electric against petrol and diesel: running costs
At about €1.98 a litre, a petrol car using 6 litres per 100 km costs about €11.89 per 100 km. A diesel at €2.15 a litre using 5 litres costs about €10.74. A Tesla Model Y charged at home costs about €6.05 on a standard rate, €2.71 on a night rate and €1.56 in an EV window.
The fuel bill per 100 km and per year, side by side.
Free, no obligation. One registered electrician prices a charger, not five.
- €11.89petrol, 6 l per 100 km
- €10.74diesel, 5 l per 100 km
- €2.71Model Y, night rate
- €1.98a litre of petrol
Per 100 km and a year
| Per 100 km | A year, 15,000 km | |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol car, 5 l per 100 km | €9.91 | €1,486 |
| Petrol car, 6 l per 100 km | €11.89 | €1,783 |
| Petrol car, 7 l per 100 km | €13.87 | €2,081 |
| Diesel car, 4 l per 100 km | €8.59 | €1,289 |
| Diesel car, 5 l per 100 km | €10.74 | €1,611 |
| Diesel car, 6 l per 100 km | €12.89 | €1,933 |
| Tesla Model Y, standard rate | €6.05 | €908 |
| Tesla Model Y, night rate | €2.71 | €407 |
| Tesla Model Y, ev tariff window | €1.56 | €233 |
What will charging cost you?
Four quick taps. You see your yearly cost at home, the cost per 100 km and the saving against petrol and diesel. Your number is only asked for at the end, if you want a price.
A Tesla Model Y doing 15,000 km a year on a night rate: about €407 a year at home, against about €1,783 for a petrol car.
How this is worked out
The energy is your car's real-world use per km, plus a tenth for what's lost while charging. The unit rates include VAT: a standard 24-hour rate of 34.38c a kWh, a night rate of 15.42c, and an EV tariff's cheap window at 8.84c. Standing charges are left out. Petrol and diesel are at pump prices of about €1.98 and €2.15 a litre. It's a guide to plan with; your own bill has your rates.
What this leaves out
- Public fast charging, which costs more than home.
- Servicing, tax and insurance.
- Standing charges, paid either way.
Home Car Chargers guides & price breakdowns
Straight answers to what people ask most: itemised costs, specifications, planning or grants, and what to check before you book.
More guides & resources: All guides & calculator hub · Technical & trade glossary · Frequently asked questions · Charging times by car · 3-pin plug or charger · Installers by county · Claiming the grant · No driveway?
Questions people ask
Is an electric car cheaper to run than petrol?
At about €1.98 a litre, a petrol car using 6 litres per 100 km costs about €11.89 per 100 km. A diesel at €2.15 a litre using 5 litres costs about €10.74. A Tesla Model Y charged at home costs about €6.05 on a standard rate, €2.71 on a night rate and €1.56 in an EV window.
Home Car Chargers across all 26 counties
Requests from all 26 counties go to one vetted local specialist who covers your county — from Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick to Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, Waterford and Donegal. Pick your county below for local prices, specifications and advice.
What will yours cost?
Four taps to your yearly cost at home and the saving on petrol. Then, if you want, one registered electrician who fits home chargers in your county rings with a price for a charger.