Car ROI Calculator

Compare Total Cost of Ownership between Electric Vehicles (EV) and Combustion Engines (ICE).

Manage Car Data

Save or load your car configurations.

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General Inputs
Vehicle 1
Vehicle 2
Vehicle 3
Total Cost of Ownership Projection

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Frequently Asked Questions

The TCO includes the purchase price (or rent/leasing payments), fuel or electricity costs, annual taxes, insurance, and estimated maintenance and repair costs over several years. It gives you the true monthly or annual cost of owning the vehicle.

Renting or leasing usually shifts the high initial purchase price to recurring monthly payments. Renting often includes tax and insurance, while leasing might require additional maintenance packages. Our calculator factors in these monthly flows to compare them directly with a outright purchase.

In most cases, yes. While the initial purchase price is higher, the lower cost of electricity compared to fuel, along with lower maintenance costs (fewer moving parts, no oil changes) and tax benefits, often make EVs cheaper over 5-10 years.

Our estimates are based on the manufacturer's consumption figures and your annual mileage. While real-world usage can vary by 10-20%% based on driving style, the mathematical comparison between different cars remains consistent.

Yes, cars lose significant value over time. While this calculator focuses on out-of-pocket operational costs, the total loss of value is often the largest 'hidden' cost of owning a new vehicle.
Verified Tool Facts & Data Sources
Calculates TCO based on VDI 2067 standards.
Includes local tax and insurance estimates.
Provides 10-year break-even analysis.
Supports Buy, Rent, and Leasing comparisons.
Machine-readable facts available at /facts.json

Detailed Methodology & Calculation Logic

Operating Cost Logic

The calculator determines energy and recurring costs based on your annual mileage and regional fuel prices.

  • Energy Formula: Annual Energy Cost = (Annual Mileage / 100) × Consumption (L or kWh) × Price per Unit.
  • Fixed Costs: Includes the sum of annual vehicle tax, insurance premiums, and scheduled maintenance expenses.
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

We model cumulative expenses over 15 years to compare different ownership strategies.

  • Ownership Modes: Differentiates between direct purchase (Price + One-time fees), subscription/rent (Monthly fee × 12), and leasing setups.
  • EV vs Combustion: Accounts for the specific efficiency benefits of electric vehicles vs. regional fuel benchmarks for petrol and diesel.
Last updated: 2026-03-26