Electricity vs. Gas vs. Diesel: The Real Cost per 100 km
Summary: Electricity vs. Gas vs. Diesel (Cost per 100 km)This article breaks down the real cost of driving 100 kilometers based on average consumption cycles and market prices:Home EV Charging (Off-Peak Rates): The undisputed financial winner. Consuming $17 \text{ kWh/100 km}$ at an off-peak rate of €0.20/kWh brings the final cost down to just €3.40.Highway EV Charging (Fast Charger): Using ultra-fast public charging networks (€0.50/kWh) drastically inflates the bill, raising the cost to €8.50 per 100 km.Diesel: Thanks to its high thermal efficiency ($5.2 \text{ L/100 km}$ at €1.75/L), it maintains a highly competitive cost of €9.10, making it a great economic rival to highway fast charging for long-distance drivers.Gas (Petrol): The most expensive daily option, coming out to an average of €12.03 per 100 km ($6.5 \text{ L/100 km}$ at €1.85/L).Tankly's Verdict: Electric cars are the absolute best choice for daily commuters who can plug in at home, running up to 4 times cheaper than gas. However, for drivers who spend most of their time cruising on long highway journeys, Diesel remains an incredibly practical and financially sound option.
The automotive market is going through a massive shift. Between geopolitical fluctuations shaking up fossil fuel prices and the gradual end of electricity price caps, drivers are left completely in the dark. Has driving a combustion-engine car become an absolute luxury? Is an electric vehicle (EV) still as cost-effective as it used to be?
To cut through the noise, you can't just look at the price tag on the station sign or look blindly at taxes. What truly matters for your wallet is **the actual cost of ownership to travel exactly 100 kilometers**. Grab your calculators; Tankly has done the math.
The Basis of Our Calculations
To ensure this comparison is as fair as possible, we base our figures on an average mixed consumption cycle (city, highway, and rural roads) for a standard hatchback or compact SUV, using current market average prices:
- Gas (Regular Unleaded / SP95-E10): Average consumption of 6.5 L / 100 km. Average market price: €1.85 per liter.
- Diesel: Average consumption of 5.2 L / 100 km. Average market price: €1.75 per liter.
- Electricity: Average consumption of 17 kWh / 100 km (charging losses included). Prices vary depending on how you charge.
1. The Cost per 100 km for Internal Combustion Engines
Traditional combustion engines benefit from price transparency, but their running costs remain heavily tied to global crude oil markets.
For Gas (Petrol), the calculation is straightforward:
$$6.5 \text{ L} \times 1.85 \text{ €} = 12.03 \text{ €}$$
Therefore, it costs an average of €12.03 to drive 100 km.
For Diesel, which maintains better energy efficiency despite pump prices drawing closer to petrol:
$$5.2 \text{ L} \times 1.75 \text{ €} = 9.10 \text{ €}$$
Diesel comes out to €9.10 per 100 km, remaining highly competitive for long-distance highway commuters.
2. The Cost per 100 km for Electricity: A Multi-Sided Story
For electric vehicles, it is impossible to give a single flat figure. Everything depends on where you plug your car in. Given current electricity rates, we have to separate charging habits into two categories:
Option A: Home Charging (Off-Peak Rates)
This is the ideal scenario. By utilizing an off-peak domestic electricity rate of around €0.20 per kWh at home:
$$17 \text{ kWh} \times 0.20 \text{ €} = 3,40 \text{ €}$$
The cost is unbeatable: €3.40 per 100 km.
Option B: Public Fast Charging (On the Highway)
On ultra-fast charging networks (Ionity, Tesla, Fastned), the average price per kWh sits around €0.45 to €0.55:
$$17 \text{ kWh} \times 0.50 \text{ €} = 8,50 \text{ €}$$
The cost jumps to €8.50 per 100 km, bringing its financial performance much closer to that of a diesel vehicle.
The Ultimate Comparison Table (Per 100 km Traveled)
| Energy Type / Charging Method | Average Consumption | Average Unit Cost | Final Cost per 100 km |
|---|---|---|---|
| ⚡ Home EV Charging (Off-Peak) | 17 kWh | €0.20 / kWh | €3.40 |
| ⚡ Highway EV Charging (Fast Charger) | 17 kWh | €0.50 / kWh | €8.50 |
| ⛽ Diesel | 5.2 L | €1.75 / L | €9.10 |
| ⛽ Gas (Regular Petrol) | 6.5 L | €1.85 / L | €12.03 |
Tankly's Verdict: Which Engine Wins the Wallet Battle?
blockquote> Financial Takeaway: An EV charged at home remains the undisputed champion of daily budget savings. It costs nearly 4 times less to run than a standard gas-powered equivalent.However, these raw numbers need to be balanced against your personal driving profile:
💡 Which fuel type matches your profile?
- The City & Suburban Commuter (Home Charging): The EV pays for itself at record speed. Annual savings for someone driving 15,000 km per year easily exceed €1,200 compared to gas.
- The Long-Distance Traveler (Mostly Highway): Diesel and rapid EV charging are neck and neck (€9.10 vs. €8.50). When you factor in the higher initial purchase price of long-range EVs, Diesel remains highly practical and economically sound for people crossing the country weekly.
- The Occasional Driver: Gas remains the simplest option with the lowest barrier to entry at purchase, despite its higher running cost per 100 km.