All cost figures are based on publicly available fuel and energy tariffs in Poland as of early 2025. Prices fluctuate; the purpose here is to illustrate the relative structure of costs, not to provide purchase advice.
The comparison that requires more than one number
Comparing a petrol car with an electric one on running costs is frequently reduced to a single headline — "EVs are X% cheaper per kilometre." That figure exists but depends heavily on where the car is charged, how far it is driven annually, and what the driver considers a comparable petrol model. This article breaks it down by component.
Basis for comparison
For the purpose of this breakdown, two broadly comparable mid-size family saloons are used: a 2.0-litre petrol consuming 7.5 l/100 km on a mixed cycle, and a battery electric equivalent with an 80 kWh battery consuming 18 kWh/100 km in real-world conditions. Both are assumed to cover 15,000 km per year, which is close to the Polish average for private passenger cars according to GUS data.
Fuel and energy cost per kilometre
Petrol
At a pump price of 6.30 PLN/litre (average first quarter 2025, source: URE), a consumption of 7.5 l/100 km gives a fuel cost of approximately 0.47 PLN/km. Over 15,000 km annually, that is 7,110 PLN per year purely in fuel.
Electric — home charging
On a standard G11 tariff in Poland, electricity costs between 0.75 and 0.85 PLN/kWh including all distribution charges and VAT. At 18 kWh/100 km and 0.80 PLN/kWh, the energy cost comes to 0.144 PLN/km — roughly 69% cheaper than the petrol equivalent. Over 15,000 km: approximately 2,160 PLN per year.
Electric — public DC fast charging only
If a driver uses exclusively public fast chargers at around 2.40 PLN/kWh, the cost rises to 0.43 PLN/km — approaching petrol parity. This illustrates why access to home or workplace charging is the primary factor determining whether operating an EV is noticeably cheaper.
Key figure
A driver covering 15,000 km/year who charges at home saves approximately 4,950 PLN annually in energy costs compared to an equivalent petrol car at current Polish prices.
Maintenance cost differences
Electric drivetrains have fewer moving parts than combustion engines. There is no oil, no oil filter, no timing belt, no exhaust system, no spark plugs, and no transmission fluid in a single-speed EV. In practice, what remains are: tyres (which wear faster on heavier EVs), brake fluid (changed every two years), brake pads (which last longer due to regenerative braking), and the annual technical inspection.
Estimated annual maintenance comparison
- Petrol: oil service 600–900 PLN, filters, belts, spark plugs over time — typical total 1,200–1,800 PLN/year
- BEV: tyre rotation, brake fluid, annual inspection — typical total 400–700 PLN/year
The battery is the largest long-term unknown. Most manufacturers offer 8-year or 160,000 km battery warranties in Europe, but out-of-warranty replacement costs remain substantial — typically 30,000–60,000 PLN for a 75–80 kWh pack, depending on model and supplier.
Insurance
OC (third-party liability) insurance for electric vehicles is calculated using the same actuarial categories as petrol cars in Poland. In practice, EVs in higher value brackets attract higher AC (comprehensive) premiums due to repair costs. A comparable Tesla Model 3 will typically cost 15–25% more per year to comprehensively insure than a similarly priced petrol saloon, primarily because battery repair costs remain high and body shop experience with EV platforms is less widespread.
Purchase price and total cost of ownership
Electric cars at equivalent specification levels carry a purchase premium over petrol models. In the Polish market in 2025, the difference for a mid-size family car is typically 30,000–60,000 PLN. The Mój Elektryk subsidy (up to 18,750 PLN) and VAT exemption for EVs under 150,000 PLN RRP narrow this gap but do not eliminate it entirely.
Total cost of ownership (TCO) calculations over five years generally show EVs reaching or crossing cost parity with petrol equivalents in the 70,000–90,000 km range when home charging is available — earlier if fuel prices rise significantly, later if public charging is the primary source.
Where the economics work and where they do not
The financial case for an EV in Poland is strongest for: drivers with a private parking space (home charging), those covering 20,000+ km per year, and anyone buying new who qualifies for Mój Elektryk. The case is weaker for: apartment dwellers without access to dedicated charging, low-mileage drivers, and those who primarily use motorway fast chargers at full ad-hoc rates.
Fuel cost savings are real and significant, but the purchase premium means that the decision involves a multi-year time horizon, not an immediate net saving.