EV vs petrol running costs in Canada

Same annual mileage — what it actually costs per 100 km and per year

EV · per 100 km

$3.61

Tesla Model Y (RWD) · 16.0 kWh/100 km

Petrol · per 100 km

$15.09

8.5 L/100 km · $1.77/L

Annual energy difference

$2296.22

less than petrol · 20,000 km/yr

EV total$721.28

Petrol total$3017.50

EV to compare

Annual mileage20,000 km

2,00040,000

Petrol consumption8.5 L/100 km

416

Priced at the local Regular 87 pump price of $1.77/L. Typical family cars run 6–9 L/100 km (26–39 MPG); SUVs 8–12 L/100 km.

Home electricity rate$0.13/kWh

$0.05$0.33

Provincial averages ~C$0.13/kWh (Hydro-Québec/BC Hydro far cheaper, Ontario/Alberta dearer); time-of-use tariffs make overnight charging the cheapest option.

Share of mileage on public fast chargers30%

All homeAll public

Public fast-charge rate$/kWh

Annual cost breakdown

Item	EV	Petrol
Energy cost	$721.28	$3017.50
Road charges	$0.00	—
Total	$721.28	$3017.50
Per km	$0.036	$0.151
Annual consumption	3191 kWh	1700 L

Sources (checked October 2026)

· Regular 87: $1.77/L — CAA national average 177.5 ¢/L, 11 Oct 2026 (Vancouver ~$2.14, Toronto ~$1.88, Edmonton ~$1.44; federal excise 10¢/L suspended to 31 Jan 2027)
· Residential electricity: Provincial averages ~C$0.13/kWh (Hydro-Québec/BC Hydro far cheaper, Ontario/Alberta dearer); time-of-use tariffs make overnight charging the cheapest option.
· Road charges: Canada has no per-km road charge and no EV registration surcharge as of 2026 — provincial fuel taxes are paid at the pump, and BC’s consumer carbon tax was removed in April 2025. Since March 2026 Chinese-built EVs clear customs at a 6.1% duty inside a 49,000-vehicle/yr quota (BYD, Zeekr and MG entering), but they remain ineligible for the federal $5,000 EVAP rebate.
· Vehicle consumption: Tesla Model Y (RWD) — 15 kWh/100 km (WLTP class, blended)

Why does an EV usually cost less to run?

An electric motor converts 85–95% of its energy into motion; a petrol engine manages 20–35% and wastes the rest as heat. Over 100 km the EV pulls far less energy off the grid than the petrol contains in its tank.

Home charging is where the saving lives: overnight rates are often a third to a half of public DC rates. Cutting your public-charging share from 100% to 30% typically removes a third or more from the annual bill.

Road funding differs and is worth knowing: New Zealand EVs pay road user charges per kilometre (currently $76 per 1,000 km for a light EV) while petrol cars pay fuel excise inside the pump price. Australia charges EVs no extra road fee as at 2026.

EV vs petrol questions

Is it cheaper to run an EV than a petrol car in Canada?

On energy alone, yes. A petrol car at 8.5 L/100 km and $1.77/L costs about $15.09 per 100 km. An EV at 16.0 kWh/100 km charged at $0.13/kWh at home costs about $3.61 per 100 km.

Do EVs pay road user charges in Canada?

Canada has no per-km road charge and no EV registration surcharge as of 2026 — provincial fuel taxes are paid at the pump, and BC’s consumer carbon tax was removed in April 2025. Since March 2026 Chinese-built EVs clear customs at a 6.1% duty inside a 49,000-vehicle/yr quota (BYD, Zeekr and MG entering), but they remain ineligible for the federal $5,000 EVAP rebate.

How much of my charging should I count at public rates?

Most owners do 70–90% of their charging at home and use public fast chargers for long trips. The slider below lets you set that split — it is the single biggest lever on your annual bill, because public DC rates are two to three times home rates.

What does this comparison leave out?

Insurance, depreciation, tyres and servicing. Servicing generally favours the EV (no oil, no exhaust, much longer brake life) but insurance and depreciation are model-specific and change with the used market, so they are deliberately excluded here.

This comparison covers energy and road charges only — not insurance, depreciation, tyres or servicing (servicing usually favours the EV, but insurance and depreciation are model-specific). Prices move with the market; confirm the live price in each operator’s app.