The true total cost of an EV
The list price tells you little about the real cost. What matters is the total cost per month (total cost of ownership, TCO). The biggest items:
- Depreciation — usually the largest and most hidden cost. A cheaper car can be more expensive if it loses value faster.
- Energy — charging at home (~€0.34/kWh) is much cheaper than public charging.
- Vehicle tax (Kfz-Steuer) — pure EVs are temporarily exempt in Germany (first registration through end-2030, at most until 2035). Combustion cars pay by engine size and CO₂.
- Insurance — depends on the type class and regional class (your postcode).
- Maintenance — EVs are usually cheaper: no oil changes, no emissions test.
- THG bonus — EV owners sell their CO₂ quota (tax-free for individuals, ~€250–450/year), which lowers the cost.
In our catalogue, every detail page shows the real €/month — and you can adjust every assumption (holding period, annual km, home-charging share, postcode, grant). All figures are estimates with a stated effective date.
Continue with real numbers: Cheapest EVs by total cost · Filter all cars · Compare models