Petrol vs Diesel vs Hybrid vs EV: Cost Comparison (2025 Update)
Petrol vs Diesel vs Hybrid vs EV: Cost Comparison (2025 Update)
Choosing a car is not just about the brand or style. It’s also about how much it will cost you to own and run it over time. In 2025, fuel and energy prices in Australia have shifted, so it’s important to look at the updated numbers. This article compares petrol, diesel, hybrid, and electric vehicles (EVs) using the latest prices and typical consumption. We will keep the language simple and focus only on cost.
1. What we are comparing
To make this fair, we compare four key cost areas:
- Fuel or electricity use (the cost to drive)
- Yearly fuel or energy bills
- Maintenance and servicing
- Upfront purchase price
This gives a clear picture of the total money side of each option.
2. Latest fuel and electricity prices in 2025
In 2025, the average retail prices in Australian cities are around:
- Petrol: about $1.82 per litre
- Diesel: about $1.82 per litre
- Electricity: about 36 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh)
These are the values we use in the cost examples.
3. Typical fuel and energy use
Cars use different amounts of fuel or electricity depending on size and type. For a fair example, we use common averages:
- Petrol car: about 8 litres per 100 km
- Diesel car: about 7 litres per 100 km
- Hybrid car: about 5 litres per 100 km
- Electric car: about 18 kWh per 100 km
These figures come from real-world driving averages, not just lab tests.
4. Cost to drive 100 km
With these numbers, here’s what it costs to travel 100 km in each type of car:
- Petrol: 8 litres × $1.82 = about $14.56
- Diesel: 7 litres × $1.82 = about $12.74
- Hybrid: 5 litres × $1.82 = about $9.10
- EV: 18 kWh × $0.36 = about $6.48
This shows that electric cars have the cheapest energy cost for every 100 km, followed by hybrids, then diesel, and petrol is the most expensive to run.
5. Annual energy cost for 15,000 km
Many Australians drive about 15,000 km per year. Based on that distance:
- Petrol car: about $2,184 per year
- Diesel car: about $1,911 per year
- Hybrid car: about $1,365 per year
- Electric car: about $972 per year
This makes it clear that EVs and hybrids can save a lot on yearly running costs compared to petrol or diesel.
6. Upfront purchase price
- Petrol cars are usually the cheapest to buy new.
- Diesel cars are a little more expensive than their petrol versions.
- Hybrids generally cost more than petrol cars because they have extra parts like electric motors and batteries.
- EVs often cost the most to buy upfront, though prices are coming down and government rebates can reduce the gap.
So while EVs win on running costs, they may require more money at the start.
7. Maintenance and servicing costs
- Petrol and diesel cars need regular servicing like oil changes and filter replacements. Diesels can sometimes cost more to maintain because of their emission systems.
- Hybrids are cheaper to service than many expect because the electric motor reduces wear on brakes and the petrol engine.
- EVs have fewer moving parts and no engine oil, so they usually have the lowest servicing costs. Battery replacement is expensive but most batteries are covered by long warranties.
8. Insurance and registration
Insurance costs depend on the value of the car and repair costs. EVs and hybrids can be more expensive to insure because they cost more to buy and repair. Registration is set by each state and usually depends on vehicle type and weight, not just fuel type.
9. Depreciation
All cars lose value over time. Petrol and diesel cars follow normal resale patterns. Hybrids often hold their value quite well because of fuel savings. EVs can lose value faster in the early years as newer models with better range arrive, but this trend is improving as demand for used EVs grows.
10. Five-year cost example
Let’s take a simple five-year ownership case, driving 15,000 km each year. We add purchase price, energy, maintenance, and insurance.
- A petrol car might cost around $35,000 to buy. Over five years, with fuel and other running costs, the total might be about $56,000.
- A diesel car might cost $38,000 to buy. Over five years, the total could be around $58,000.
- A hybrid might cost $42,000 to buy. Over five years, the total might be about $59,000.
- An EV might cost $55,000 to buy. Even with cheap running costs, the five-year total might still be around $68,000.
This shows that the lower energy and servicing costs of EVs do not always make up for the higher upfront price within five years. But if you drive more kilometres, keep the car longer, or get a rebate, an EV may work out cheaper.
11. Key takeaways
- Petrol cars are cheapest to buy, but cost the most to run.
- Diesel cars use less fuel than petrol but are not as cheap as hybrids or EVs to run.
- Hybrids balance a moderate purchase price with much lower running costs.
- EVs cost more upfront but have the lowest yearly running costs.
What to Do with Your Old Car?
When people upgrade from petrol or diesel cars to hybrids or EVs, one common question is what to do with the old vehicle. Holding onto an older car can become costly, especially with rising fuel prices and ongoing maintenance needs. A practical option is to sell it through a service like National Car Removal’s Cash for Cars Brisbane. They buy all types of vehicles — petrol, diesel, or hybrid — and provide quick payments along with free removal. This way, you not only reduce future running costs by moving to a more efficient car but also get instant value back from your old one.
The best choice depends on how far you drive, how long you keep your car, and whether you can access government rebates or cheap electricity.