Study Finds EVs in Europe Are Cheaper to Run Than Gas Cars, Even on Public Chargers

A new analysis from Europe shows that electric vehicles typically cost significantly less to operate than gasoline cars, and the savings hold up even when drivers rely heavily on public charging networks. The gap appears across multiple countries, suggesting that the longstanding assumption about EVs only making financial sense for homeowners with private chargers is no longer accurate.

At the same time, the upfront price of many electric models has been falling, and buyers now have hundreds of new EV options to choose from across the European market. That combination of lower running costs and a wider, more affordable selection is making the switch more attractive for a broader range of drivers.

The findings point to a shifting calculus for car buyers in Europe, where fuel prices and charging infrastructure vary widely by country. While public charging rates can be higher than home electricity, the overall cost per kilometer for EVs still tends to come in below what a comparable gas car would consume in fuel.