It is cheaper to drive some models of electric cars compared to gasoline and diesel vehicles

In comparison to internal combustion engines, the German automobile club (ADAC) sees, in terms of costs, advantages for electric cars in the case of mid-sized vehicles, the group announced on Wednesday.

In the category of small vehicles, however, electric cars often do not compete.

The calculations are based on the total costs for vehicle models currently available on the German market. In addition to fuel or electricity costs and vehicle depreciation, the calculations also include items such as maintenance costs, taxes, and insurance.

On average, for the analyzed mid-sized vehicles, electric cars were somewhat cheaper, assuming an annual mileage of 15 thousand kilometers and a holding period of five years for the vehicle. This was true even when fuel prices were set very high at 0.80 euros per kilowatt-hour and relatively low at 1.50 euros for diesel.

In the category of small cars, on the other hand, electric vehicles performed poorly. With an electricity price of 0.40 euros per kilowatt-hour, internal combustion cars were on average cheaper even with a fuel price of 2 euros per liter.

According to ADAC, the prices of electric cars are simply too high compared to internal combustion cars.

On average, things look a little better for lower mid-range vehicles. Here, with 0.40 euros per kilowatt-hour, electric cars can beat diesel even with 1.50 euros per liter. For gasoline cars, on the other hand, it depends on the exact fuel price.

In the upper mid-range, diesels win even with 0.30 euros for electricity and 2 euros for a liter of fuel.

In luxury class vehicles, things again look better for electric cars – with electricity prices slightly above 0.50 euros per kilowatt-hour, they beat internal combustion engines, and for subcompact cars down to just below 0.50 euros per kilowatt-hour.

However, according to ADAC, values can vary significantly depending on the vehicle or, for example, the level of discounts granted for individual models.

ADAC did not individually assess SUV vehicles but classified them into other vehicle categories based on price and size.