Conclusions of the Ayvens Car Cost Index 2025

The Ayvens 2025 Car Cost Index is a comprehensive analysis of the cost of hiring and driving a compact to mid-size car (segments B1-D2) in 28 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom).

The data is based on a four-year operating lease for businesses and assumes an annual mileage of 30,000 km. The analysis focuses on average costs per month in each country. It is important to make a true like-for-like comparison, but this is difficult because of the large number of possible vehicle combinations and the fundamental differences between EVs and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Therefore, to fairly assess the cost-competitiveness of EVs versus ICEs, the study sought to assess approximately the same balance of the same components of total cost of ownership (TCO) for all vehicle types, including fuel/energy, depreciation, taxes, insurance, tyres and maintenance. A BEV is defined as "cost-competitive" when its TCO is within 5 % of comparable internal combustion engine (ICE) and plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) vehicles.

The study shows that by 2025, the total cost of ownership of electric vehicles in the popular compact car (C1) segment will be lower in 18 out of 28 countries. The medium-sized standard vehicle segment (D1 and D1 SUV) is the least affordable for electric vehicles, with BEVs being cheaper in only 11 countries. The situation is different for the upper mid-range segment (D2 and D2 SUV), where BEVs have a cost margin of 5 % in all countries compared with comparable internal combustion engine vehicles (27 out of 27 countries).

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  It 's not just the price, but also the total cost of ownership (TCO): when you compare BEVs to internal combustion engine vehicles, it's important to include all the cost elements in your calculations. In general, for example, because of the lower running costs of BEVs (maintenance, electricity), a longer lease term will increase the cost advantages of BEV vehicles over internal combustion engine vehicles.
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  Always try to match the specification of similar vehicles when comparing TCO: although it is not always possible to make a perfect comparison between BEVs and internal combustion engine vehicles, it is often possible to find fairly close matches in terms of aspects such as size, power and level of finish. An entry-level BEV generally has a higher specification than an entry-level ICE vehicle, which can mean you get more for your money with the BEV.
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  Don't forget fuel and energy costs: Fuel and electricity costs are often excluded from the scope of application. To get a proper comparison, these costs must therefore be included in your calculations, even if current rental policy budgets exclude fuel and electricity.
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  Consider the other trade-offs: As well as the total cost of ownership, there are other factors to consider when making the switch to BEVs. It is important to study the impact of taxation on drivers (benefits in kind), for example. At the same time, previous obstacles to the transition to BEVs, such as range and charging infrastructure, continue to improve rapidly. And although driver communication/training may be necessary with regard to the driving style associated with BEVs.

The results of Ayvens' 2025 Car Cost Index highlight the increasing affordability of electric vehicles as a rental option in many European countries, overtaking petrol and diesel vehicles in some segments. Fleet managers need to consider all the cost elements, match vehicle specifications for comparison and assess other trade-offs such as driver charging and recharging infrastructure when making decisions about vehicle choice.