Running/ownership costs

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Wheelbarrow01

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#324739 19-May-2026 02:11

I was going to post this as a reply in the thread about buying advice for an MG4 but in fairness to the OP I decided not to hijack that thread.

Someone commented in that thread that if you charge at home on a cheap night rate for power, you're "still winning hands down financially" with an EV.

Are you though? I've just been through this with my typically over analytical mind. I looked at several EV options and despite elevated petrol prices right now, I just couldn't make the numbers stack up against what I eventually bought - a 3 year old Corolla hybrid wagon with 17,000kms.

The Corolla's insurance was literally half the price (when compared to premium quotes for a similarly aged Tesla 3 or MG4 - with a similar purchase price BUT much higher mileage). EVs are starting off on the back foot to the tune of $600 right there - before I've driven anywhere.
I am seeing average fuel use in the Corolla of 3.2 litres per 100kms (urban use). That's $10.01 in fuel per 100kms based on todays' price of 91 in Christchurch ($3.13/litre). For comparison, my 2013 1.5 petrol Corolla I recently sold ran at around 7.5 to 8 litres per 100kms.
The RUC alone on an EV is $7.60 per 100kms. Add 14.5kWh per 100kms for electricity (as per a Tesla model 3 rated efficiency) at $2.54 on the Genesis overnight rate and the total for 100kms in the EV is $10.14. I note an MG4 runs about 17kWh per 100kms.
Tyres for the Corolla will last longer and cost less than tyres for an EV.
To get "half price" overnight EV charging, I was going to have to sacrifice my (currently lower) daytime electricity price. Yes I guess I could time shift appliances to get more benefit of the night rate - if the wife didn't require dead silence after her 9pm bedtime.
I am choosing to pay $390 a year for servicing only to maintain the warranty, otherwise I'd do it myself.
In a perfect world, 91 fuel will drop back to the $2.44/litre it was on 03 March, which would mean $7.80 per 100kms for me. Or it could climb higher and skew the running costs in favour of an EV - who knows.
Notwithstanding the cheaper insurance and tyres but typically higher servicing costs, over a typical 14,000km year, the actual energy cost of the Corolla is currently a few dollars lower than an EV right now. If fuel returns to early March prices, then the difference is more like $500/year in favour of the hybrid.
I think it's pretty clear that the Corolla will suffer significantly less depreciation than any EV (this was probably the biggest single factor in the "what will it cost me" car lifecycle calculation.

The Corolla came with Toyota warranty until 2033, including roadside assist so that is on par with an MG4. Long term Toyota reliability got points, as did the ability to drive it from Auckland to Wellington 2 weeks ago without stopping, and then on to Kaikoura on the same tank (I was disappointed I couldn't hypermile it all the way to Christchurch though - it lost serious points for that...)

Maybe if fuel prices continue to climb and RUC is mandated for all cars, then maybe a BEV will emerge as a better contender when I'm next due for an upgrade - I do like the look of the new Toyota bZ4X Touring wagon - that's right up my alley but the $70k pricetag isn't. Perhaps if they were released 3 years ago and I could have found one with 17kms on the clock for a mid thirties price, maybe I would have bought that instead of the hybrid.

I'm planning to keep the Corolla as my daily for the next 10+ years. It has a lot of the mod cons that EVs have - heated seats and steering wheel, "leather" interior, factory front & rear dash cams controlled via the infotainment screen, Carplay, full digital dash, and the latest Toyota Safety Sense suite EXCEPT the annoying "I can't see you looking at the road" camera - I'm not sure why that's missing but I'm not disappointed about it - it drives the wife mad in her C-HR.

Environmental benefits don't enter the equation for me. Our decision not to have children offsets my driving emissions by a factor of infinity.

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#3493679 19-May-2026 08:54

"I am seeing average fuel use in the Corolla of 3.2 litres per 100kms"
"if fuel prices continue to climb and RUC is mandated for all cars"

These two statements are intrinsically linked.. RUC for all vehicles IS coming...increasing fuel economy makes it essential

Take 70c off your fuel calculations and include standard RUC and see what the numbers look like...

Wheelbarrow01

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#3493833 19-May-2026 17:19

wellygary:

"I am seeing average fuel use in the Corolla of 3.2 litres per 100kms"
"if fuel prices continue to climb and RUC is mandated for all cars"

These two statements are intrinsically linked.. RUC for all vehicles IS coming...increasing fuel economy makes it essential

Take 70c off your fuel calculations and include standard RUC and see what the numbers look like...

.

At the pre-war price of 91 (03 March, Christchurch):

$2.44 per litre minus 70c = $1.74 x 3.2 = $5.56 for 100km. Add $7.60 for RUC = $13.16. This represents a $300 premium over electricity + RUC over the course of 10,000kms. That's half difference of my insurance cost between the hybrid and an EV.

At current price of 91 today (locally for me anyway):

$3.12 per litre - 70c = $2.42 x 3.2 = $7.74 for 100kms. Add $7.60 for RUC = $15.34. Over 10,000kms this is a $520 premium over electricity + RUC, so still less than the extra cost of EV insurance in my use case.

I normally don't actually travel 10,000kms in a year but it's an easy mathematical yardstick for argument's sake.

There are other factors outside of individual control which could chnage over time. Apart from the current uncertainty of where fuel prices might end up, I am personally skeptical that power companies will keep the goal posts where they currently are in the long term - eg they may decide at some point that overnight charging at 'half price' is getting a little too popular...

gzt

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#3494051 20-May-2026 14:56

Wheelbarrow01: I am seeing average fuel use in the Corolla of 3.2 litres per 100kms (urban use).

That is exceptionally good fuel economy. I'm interested to know the year and model you have. I suspect my very hilly use of the same model would get the upper end of the fuel consumption rating. Ie; Close to 3.9-4.1L per 100km which is about standard for the smaller Toyota hybrids.

michaelmurfy

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#3494058 20-May-2026 15:20

I've got a fair few EV vs ICE stuff here: https://notoil.interwebz.nz/

Yes, your costs may be cheaper especially thanks to RUC's on EV's but...

1) Driving an EV is just so much nicer than driving a Hybrid.
2) You do not feel hills in an EV at all.
3) They're far quicker acceleration wise.
4) Quiet so you end up at your destination more refreshed.
5) No maintenance schedule on some (eg, Tesla) while incredibly cheap maintenance schedules on others (BYD, MG, GWM).
6) Insurance is around the same like for like. I'm not insuring my Tesla Model 3 for the same cost of your Toyota though and I'm also taking glass into consideration with my insurance quotes.
7) The tyre argument is getting old now. The only reason your tyres last longer is because you're not having fun accelerating 0-100 in 4.2secs onto the motorway like I am.
8) I have an inverter that can plug into both vehicles that can power 5kW worth of load for an extended period of time. If I have a power outage, our cars can power many things in our house including our Electric Weber BBQ and Air Fryer with ease. Many other EV's have V2L.

But the main one for me is I get home, I plug in and I unplug the next day with a full charge ready to go. My car also preheats itself so I enter a warm car with a nice heated steering wheel and warm seats or in summer it cools itself meaning I'm not getting third degree burns from the seatbelt buckle or steering wheel.

It's not just about how cheap you drive. Like many vehicles out there comfort and convenience is the main argument around this. Both our EV's are more comfortable to drive than your Toyota Hybrid and there is no way I will be downgrading to a Hybrid vehicle either.

Also, my wife spent $32k on her GWM Ora that can do 410km real world per charge, has heated and ventilated seats that also have a massage feature, heated steering wheel and is really comfortable to drive. EV's don't come in at the cost people make out they do and there were some bargains to be had before the fuel crisis.

You drive what is best for you. If you don't have any ability to charge at home then get a Hybrid, if you want a comfortable vehicle with next to no maintenance then get an EV, if you want a V8 then go for it. Who cares? Each have their pros and cons but driving an EV has a whole lot of pros especially around not being reliant on a scheme where you're stuck having to buy fuel tank after tank, fully reliant, at whatever cost, with no alternative.

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gzt

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#3494072 20-May-2026 15:42

Wheelbarrow01: Running/ownership costs - EV vs Hybrid

It's probably worth stating the figures are for a small Toyota hybrid. Toyota is best in class for fuel economy. There are a larger number of other brand hybrids which are not so impressive in reality.

Wheelbarrow01

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#3494307 20-May-2026 22:37

gzt:
Wheelbarrow01: I am seeing average fuel use in the Corolla of 3.2 litres per 100kms (urban use).

That is exceptionally good fuel economy. I'm interested to know the year and model you have. I suspect my very hilly use of the same model would get the upper end of the fuel consumption rating. Ie; Close to 3.9-4.1L per 100km which is about standard for the smaller Toyota hybrids.

It's the 2023 (facelift) Corolla Touring WxB wagon, the top spec JDM model. The facelift has a lithium battery instead of the nickel metal hydride in the 2019-2022 Corollas - apparently it's 14% lighter and 14% more efficient according to Toyota. My research revealed that the wagon also has better rated fuel economy than both the sedan and hatch due to the shape. It's rated at 3.7 litres per 100kms and I have had some fun really trying to get the most mileage out of it since I got it back to Christchurch 2 weeks ago. I suspect most people don't make that much effort but it's really not that hard given all the "traffic calming" and 30kph limits around Christchurch now.

Even on the trip home from Auckland to Christchurch, I was surprised how often it switched to electric even at highway speeds - just a slight incline downhill was all it took, plus all the bends around Kaikoura and coming down the Hundalees had the regenerative braking storing up all those electrons.

My wife is also surprised - she has a 2025 C-HR company car with the same engine and battery and her economy is in the mid/high 5's - spot the lady who doesn't pay for her own fuel...

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mattwnz

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#3494311 20-May-2026 23:51

I didn't fully understand how Toyota hybrids worked and got such savings until I watched this video. Probably a video anyone buying a Toyota (or one with a hybrid engine made by toyota) hybrid should watch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnUFH5GX_fI We have a car with one and probably gets about 4.5-5L per 100km

mudguard

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#3494319 21-May-2026 07:22

I wonder if you're servicing costs are a touch conservative? My Corolla and Camry before that averaged roughly $1000 for two services. Tended to be smaller then larger.

I've added up the costs of my Corolla per km, 26c it was in 2022 at $2.67 per litre. That's everything, insurance, servicing, registration, tyres etc.

I'd need to do the maths on the EV. I did toss up when I got the Corolla whether to get the hybrid version, but it was a little anemic compared to the petrol and I couldn't justify the fuel savings (most of my kms are at 100kmh) even though I do have a little start stop driving.

Total fuel economy has been 5.8L per 100kms. I could get sub 5's in hybrid Camrys on flatter trips.

Eva888

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#3494342 21-May-2026 09:11

The Aqua 1.5 litre engine on 91 lately gets average 27km per litre or 3.70 litres per 100km. Sometimes used to do 32km per litre.

The Lexus 1.8 litre engine on 95 which has a Toyota drive train gets 19.1km per litre or 5.23 litres per 100km.

Both hybrids but the Lexus petrol dial goes down very fast on a first drive after filling, whereas the Aqua sits on full for days before the petrol dial even moves one point on the dial so we do use it more.

Live on a hill so lots of up and down.

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#3499761 3-Jun-2026 09:24

gzt:
Wheelbarrow01: I am seeing average fuel use in the Corolla of 3.2 litres per 100kms (urban use).

That is exceptionally good fuel economy. I'm interested to know the year and model you have. I suspect my very hilly use of the same model would get the upper end of the fuel consumption rating. Ie; Close to 3.9-4.1L per 100km which is about standard for the smaller Toyota hybrids.

A relative of mine has the Camry Hybrid. It sits on 5L/100km. That's on a mixture of rural and urban driving with occasional motorway driving

Mike

gzt

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#3499774 3-Jun-2026 09:51

The Camry hybrid is a large sedan car similar size to a Tesla and a better comparison.

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MikeAqua

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#3499787 3-Jun-2026 10:17

gzt: The Camry hybrid is a large sendan car similar size to a Tesla and a better comparison.

True. Although the 'rolla wagon is a tardis-like machine. Lots of internal space (doesn't time travel sadly). I had a diesel one back in the 90s. IIRC you could fill the tank and get a pie and a coke for about $30.

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gzt

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#3499795 3-Jun-2026 10:58

MikeAqua:
gzt: The Camry hybrid is a large sendan car similar size to a Tesla and a better comparison.
True. Although the 'rolla wagon is a tardis-like machine. Lots of internal space (doesn't time travel sadly). I had a diesel one back in the 90s. IIRC you could fill the tank and get a pie and a coke for about $30.

For me Corolla does not have enough driver room, and the seating position is lower overall and further back. Prius has larger driver room and a higher seating position. Camry is more roomy again.

Currently I'm driving a Leaf. It has good driver room for me. Looks like a small car but is surprisingly spacious and comfortable.

For the OP imo the lack of choice in that price range may have been part of the problem. If you don't want a Leaf there are few other other choices in that price range. That will change in a couple of years as BYD ramps up and more second hand MGs fall into that price range.

BlakJak

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#3499891 3-Jun-2026 13:38

MikeAqua:

gzt:
Wheelbarrow01: I am seeing average fuel use in the Corolla of 3.2 litres per 100kms (urban use).

That is exceptionally good fuel economy. I'm interested to know the year and model you have. I suspect my very hilly use of the same model would get the upper end of the fuel consumption rating. Ie; Close to 3.9-4.1L per 100km which is about standard for the smaller Toyota hybrids.

A relative of mine has the Camry Hybrid. It sits on 5L/100km. That's on a mixture of rural and urban driving with occasional motorway driving

These numbers have to be a little bit biased against optimal hybrid conditions.
I have a 2015 Prius Alpha (Prius V, the station wagon version of the Prius) which quotes me about 14.5km/L on the dashboard.
Or, Metro Wellington driving (including living up a hill in Johnsonville) I'll usually get ~450km out of somewhat less than 40L fill (it has a 40L tank).
Driving Auckland to Wellington I did about 607km from full-to-the-spout to low-petrol-warning-is-on (no fuel stops, Otahuhu to Johnsonville). Long haul clearly adds some efficiency.
But 5L per 100km would suggest only putting ~20L (half my tank) in for about 90% of the motoring I do in Wellington.

I am slightly lead-footed but not sure it would account for almost halving the fuel efficiency of what is otherwise a very similar drivetrain.

(I fueled up today; 36.75L and approx 430km (I forgot to punch the odo promptly last fill so that's an estimate).

Under current conditions I don't tend to run to empty quite as often so I have not done a full-from-empty refuel in a while, but today was 2-bars left on the gauge.

My 2015 Prius replaced a 2001 Gaia (2L 7-seat wagon) and switching to the Prius platform gave me an immediate saving of 30-40% - i'm travelling further on a more reliable basis (450-500km per tank instead of ~400-430) in a vehicle with less fuel capacity (40L instead of 50L) along with the change of fuel prices between now and ~3 years ago. And when i'm not in a hurry, I enjoy making use of the EV drivetrain through judicious application of the throttle (so long as i'm not holding anyone up). It's amazing not having to burn petrol for idling.

I really found the Technology Connections video about the Toyota Hybrid drivetrain interesting and anyone seeking to understand the role they play and efficiencies they drive really needs to watch it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnUFH5GX_fI

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MikeAqua

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#3499896 3-Jun-2026 14:04

gzt:
For me Corolla does not have enough driver room, and the seating position is lower overall and further back. Prius has larger driver room and a higher seating position. Camry is more roomy again.

The Corolla I've owned were a 1983 and 1993. There was plenty of internal room in them, I'm over 6 feet, with a disproportionately long torso and over 100kg and they were OK for me. Of course they were very lightly built - probably death traps. Both great cars to own, but I think my fav was the 1983 DX which was British racing green.

Mike

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