Electric vs petrol cars: One driver’s five-year cost data reveals where the real savings are

Owning a car is becoming more expensive, but one Tesla driver says detailed tracking changed everything. After monitoring every expense for nearly two decades, the driver compared petrol and electric ownership costs. Their conclusion is simple; where and how you power your car matters more than the badge on the bonnet.

In a detailed Reddit post, the driver compared a 2009 Subaru Forester with a 2019 Tesla Model 3. Both vehicles were bought new and analysed over their first five years of ownership. Every cost was counted, including fuel, maintenance, insurance, washing, and registration.

The Subaru Forester cost an average of $1.13 per mile between 2009 and 2014. Fuel alone accounted for more than 15% of total running costs during that period. Rising petrol prices and routine servicing played a significant role in those figures.

By contrast, the Tesla Model 3 cost $1.14 per mile during its first five years. At face value, that appears slightly higher, but inflation changes the picture significantly. Adjusted for today’s prices, the electric car delivered clear long-term savings.

Nearly half of the Tesla’s charging was done at public Superchargers during road trips. Even so, overall energy costs remained far lower than petrol. The biggest savings came from home charging, especially when paired with solar power.

Charging the Tesla at home using solar panels cost just two cents per mile, the driver said. Energy represented only 3% of total ownership costs, compared with 15% for petrol. That difference alone reshaped the total cost equation.

Maintenance also proved cheaper with the electric vehicle. There were no oil changes, emissions tests, timing belts, or spark plugs to replace. Fewer moving parts translated into fewer unexpected bills.

The driver acknowledged spending more on optional extras with the Tesla. Even with those additions, the electric car remained cheaper over time. For drivers able to charge at home, the savings become even more compelling.

As fuel prices fluctuate and maintenance costs rise, data like this is influencing buying decisions. For many motorists, electric vehicles are no longer just cleaner alternatives. They are increasingly seen as financially smarter long-term investments.

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