The rise in the price of electricity in recent months is something that we all suffer to a greater or lesser extent. The electricity bill has become a matter of concern for many households that struggle to make it to the end of the month. The general increase in the shopping basket also has a strong impact when it comes to gasoline and diesel, so when it comes to purchasing a car it is interesting to know in advance what type of engine is most rewarding. .
The Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) has made calculations to determine whether it is profitable to have an electric car or, on the contrary, a car with an internal combustion engine is more interesting. Although the cost per 10,000 km has increased significantly between 2020 and 2023, the OCU concludes that the electric car continues to compensate, since it is more profitable than a gasoline or diesel model with similar characteristics.
To carry out the study, the OCU has calculated how much it costs to recharge an electric car with the prices of November 2023 and has compared it with what it means to use a traditional vehicle, both gasoline and diesel. These fuels have also experienced an upward trend in recent years, especially following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, although prices have remained stable for a few months.
To analyze the evolution of prices, the study researchers chose as a reference point the cost associated with a user who travels approximately 10,000 kilometers per year with a mid-range vehicle.
In the case of electric cars, this is equivalent to a consumption of around 2,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per year, considering charging at home during the off-peak tariff period and using the regulated tariff.
As for gasoline vehicles, an average consumption reference of 7 liters per 100 kilometers was used, while for diesel vehicles, the reference figure was 6 liters per 100 kilometers.
Despite the increase in fuel prices, the cost associated with traveling 10,000 kilometers with an electric car is considerably lower (470 euros) compared to a gasoline vehicle (1,145 euros) and a diesel vehicle (970 euros). However, the OCU report highlights that, in 2020, recharging an electric car represented an expense of 190 euros per 10,000 kilometers, while a gasoline car involved an outlay of 825 euros and a diesel car involved 644 euros. euros.
Drivers of electric vehicles have seen an increase of 280 euros compared to 2000. However, those who drive a gasoline car are facing an increase of 320 euros, while users of diesel vehicles see an increase of 326 euros. in its costs compared to 2020.
Despite these adjustments, the cost of driving an electric car remains significantly lower, being less than half that of driving a gasoline vehicle: 470 euros compared to 1,145 euros per 10,000 kilometers.
Even taking into account that the electric version of the same car model costs about 10,000 euros more on average, the OCU considers that electromobility remains profitable in the long term. According to the organization’s calculations, the extra purchase price of an electric vehicle is amortized over 130,000 km, and that is without taking into account the aid from the Moves Plan.
