Electric car vs. diesel: How much do we pay monthly?

According to PretCarburant.ro data, the average cost of diesel is 9.45 lei per liter nationwide. For a standard full tank of 50 liters of diesel, drivers pay an average of 472 lei. Monthly expenses vary, of course, depending on the number of kilometers traveled and the car's fuel efficiency.

If a driver covers, say, 1,500 kilometers monthly and has an average consumption of 6 liters per hundred kilometers, they will need approximately 90 liters of diesel per month. This means an expense of about 850 lei monthly just for fuel, calculated at the average price. Obviously, lower consumption or reduced mileage will decrease this amount, while an aggressive driving style or a more fuel-hungry car model will significantly increase costs.

The monthly cost of charging an electric car is much more variable than that of fueling with diesel and depends crucially on how you choose to charge your vehicle. Charging at home, using a standard household tariff, is usually the most economical option. Rates can be much lower per kWh compared to public stations.

On the other hand, public fast-charging stations, while offering convenience and speed, come with considerably higher prices per kilowatt-hour, sometimes comparable to the per-kilometer cost of a fossil fuel vehicle. We do not have concrete average figures for electric charging costs to compare them directly here, as they vary enormously from one provider to another and from one type of station to another, but it is important to know that this difference is a key factor in your monthly budget.

For a detailed analysis of charging costs, we recommend consulting our dedicated article on the PretCarburant.ro blog, where we explore specific scenarios and current tariffs for various types of electric charging. There you will find concrete examples to help you estimate the monthly cost based on your own usage and charging habits.

The major difference lies in predictability and cost structure. For diesel cars, we have an average diesel price of 9.45 lei/L, and variations at the pump are relatively easy to monitor, although there can be differences of 0.35 lei/L between the minimum price (9.25 lei/L) and the maximum price (9.60 lei/L) in the national network. The cost for a full tank of 50 liters remains a constant benchmark of 472 lei, and monthly expenses are calculated directly based on consumption and kilometers.

For electric cars, on the other hand, the cost per kilometer can be significantly lower if charging is done predominantly at home, overnight, at an advantageous rate. However, reliance on public stations, especially fast ones, can lead to costs similar to or even higher than an efficient diesel. This flexibility in electricity prices, depending on the charging source, represents the main particularity and, at the same time, the main challenge in estimating the real monthly cost.

The price of diesel has a direct and immediate impact on drivers' budgets, considering that the current average is 9.45 lei per liter. Every fluctuation, even of a few bani, is felt at the pump. For example, a full tank of 50 liters of diesel costs on average 472 lei. If the price increases by just 10 bani per liter, the cost of a full tank jumps to 477 lei, a difference which, accumulated over several monthly refuels, becomes substantial.

Constant monitoring of the 1390 fuel stations shows us that there is a difference of up to 0.35 lei per liter between the minimum price (9.25 lei/L) and the maximum price (9.60 lei/L) for diesel. This disparity means that careful drivers, who choose their station wisely, can save considerable sums in the long term, transforming a simple refueling into a strategic decision for their personal budget.

Driving style is a determining factor for both diesel and electric energy consumption, directly influencing monthly costs. A driver with an aggressive style, who accelerates abruptly and brakes often, will record significantly higher consumption than one who adopts a predictive and fluid driving manner.

For a diesel car, a sporty driving style can increase consumption by 15-20%, which translates into a greater need for diesel and, implicitly, a considerable additional expense, considering the average price of 9.45 lei/L. The same applies to electric cars: rapid accelerations and high speeds consume more energy, reducing range and requiring more frequent charging. Optimizing driving style is, therefore, one of the simplest and most efficient methods to reduce operating costs for both types of vehicles.

Absolutely, public charging stations represent an essential cost factor in the financial equation of owning an electric car. While they offer flexibility and the possibility to cover longer distances, the tariffs charged by the operators of these stations are generally considerably higher than the cost of electricity consumed at home.

For many electric car owners, charging at public stations, especially fast (DC) ones, is a necessity on long journeys or when they do not have access to an outlet at home or in the office. It is crucial to check the tariffs of each operator and plan charging routes in advance to minimize unexpected expenses. Costs per kWh can vary significantly, directly influencing the driver's monthly budget, especially if they predominantly rely on these charging solutions.

Besides the direct costs of fuel or electricity, there are a series of other important expenses that any vehicle owner must consider. These include RCA and CASCO insurance, annual tax, road vignette, maintenance and inspection costs, as well as potential repairs. Although we do not have exact figures for all these categories, we can discuss qualitative differences.

In general, electric cars can have lower maintenance costs due to a reduced number of moving parts and the absence of oil changes or air and fuel filters. On the other hand, the initial purchase price of an electric car is often higher than that of a diesel equivalent. It is important to look at the big picture and calculate all these costs in the long term to have a realistic estimate of the total ownership expenses.

Regularly checking fuel prices is a smart habit that can lead to significant long-term savings. At PretCarburant.ro, we monitor 1390 stations across the country, providing you with a real-time overview of prices.

For example, for diesel, we know that the minimum price is 9.25 lei/L, while the maximum reaches 9.60 lei/L. This difference of 0.35 lei per liter might seem small, but for a 50-liter tank fill, it means a saving of 17.5 lei. If we refuel four times a month, we are already talking about 70 lei saved, an amount that adds up over a year. Even for gasoline 95, where the minimum-maximum spread is 0.66 lei/L, the potential for savings is even greater. Therefore, a simple check of prices before setting off can turn a mandatory expense into an opportunity to manage your car budget more efficiently.