The automotive industry’s shift towards sustainable vehicles has fueled the debate about EVs vs. petrol cars. Considering their carbon footprint and eco-friendliness, people are opting for EVs, but conventional cars still hold their position. Among these debatable elements, cost remains a critical decision-making factor.
To settle the debate, we have provided a detailed cost analysis of owning EV vs petrol cars, elaborating which is more economical to own in the long run.
Petrol vs Electric Cars: Detailed Cost Breakdown
Drivers receive multiple benefits for owning EVs in Dubai and other Emirates such as free charging stations, lower interest rates and many more. On the other hand, petrol cars offer a wider range of vehicles with lower upfront costs and higher resale value.
To make an informed decision, it is important to be aware of the cost of owning an EV vs petrol car. Let’s break down the numbers and see which vehicle type offers better value for your money.
EV vs Petrol Cars: Upfront Cost
The sales price of a car depends on multiple factors including the brand’s reputation, the model’s service history, fuel efficiency and features. Considering all these factors, the sales price of EVs is higher than petrol ones. This price tag is justified by higher battery and research and development costs. Moreover, economies of scale, supply and demand also play a major role in increasing prices.
For further simplification, consider the latest models of Toyota RAV4 and Camry available in both petrol and hybrid engines. The cost of a petrol engine RAV4 in 2025 starts from AED 99,999; whereas, the hybrid RAV4 price starts from AED 120,900. Similarly, a conventional Camry is available for AED 109,900 and a hybrid Camry for AED 123,900.
EV vs Petrol Cars: Per Kilometre Cost
UAE has announced standardised EV charging rates in 2024, accounting for AED 0.7 AED/kWh + VAT for AC charging and AED 1.2 AED/kWh + VAT for DC charging. Considering these rates and a fuel efficiency of 6 km/kWh, the per km cost of an EV is around AED 0.1225 for AC chargers and AED 0.21 for DC chargers. If you drive 1000km in a month, owning an EV will cost anywhere between AED 122 to AED 210.
Please remember that the UAEV – the UAE’s first government-owned electric vehicle (EV) charging network has announced EV traffic. Effective January 2025, AED 1.2 DHS/kWh + VAT for DC chargers and AED 0.70 DHS/kWh + VAT for AC chargers will be applied, further increasing the charging cost.
The cost of fuel in the UAE varies depending on the type, and for this comparison, we’ve used the average price of Special 95, which stands at AED 2.50 as of January 2025. With this price and fuel efficiency of 14 km/l, the cost per km of petrol cars is around AED 0.179. It will cost around AED 179 for driving a petrol car 1000/km in a month.
The prices mentioned above are roughly estimated and may vary from vehicle to vehicle. To learn more about monthly petrol costs, you can read through our blog on the cost of filling up a car tank in the UAE.
EV vs Petrol Cars: Maintenance Cost
EVs have fewer moving parts reducing the need for regular maintenance. The routine checkup of electric cars typically includes tyre rotation, brake inspection and battery health check. All of this combined accounts for AED 1000 to AED 1500/year.
Petrol cars need regular maintenance that typically includes engine oil, brake oil, brake pad, coolant and other essential car fluid changes. The regular checkup of conventional vehicles can cost anywhere between AED 1500 to AED 4000 in a year.
EV vs Petrol Cars: Depreciation and Resale Value
Multiple factors affect car depreciation and in EVs, these factors are more amplified. Auto parts like batteries and motors are more prone to damage and are also expensive to maintain, causing higher depreciation of EVs.
The latest innovations and technological upgrades slow down the EV depreciation, making it 20 to 30% in the first few years. The upgrade has also increased the demand for used electric cars in the UAE. In fact, the listings of used electric cars for sale in the UAE have increased by 47% on dubizzle, reflecting strong demand.
For conventional vehicles, the depreciation rate is around 20 to 30% in the first few years. However, the average loss of value reaches only 39% after the first 3 years. In 2024, conventional vehicles maintained their dominance with around 300k listings on dubizzle.
FAQs
What is the biggest problem with electric cars?
The higher upfront cost and range anxiety are two of the biggest problems of electric cars.
How long do electric cars last?
The life of an electric car varies from vehicle to vehicle, but it is around 12 years.
How much to replace an EV battery?
Replacing EV car batteries is expensive and can cost anywhere between AED 12,000 to AED 20,000.
This was a detailed cost comparison of owning EV vs petrol cars in the UAE. Both EVs and petrol cars come with their own pros and cons. Where EVs are cheaper to maintain, petrol cars offer varied options. When buying new or used cars for sale in the UAE, it is necessary to weigh out these reasons for making an informed decision.
Stay tuned to dubizzle’s auto blog for more information on sustainable transportation.
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