Essence or electric: the cost difference over usage becomes striking

With soaring fuel prices, the cost gap between gasoline and electric vehicles is widening significantly. According to a study by Roole Data, a driver of a gasoline vehicle now spends an average of 137 euros per month on fuel, compared to only 46 euros for an electric vehicle owner.

In recent months, the energy costs for drivers have varied greatly depending on the vehicle type. Drivers of gasoline and diesel vehicles have been heavily affected by rising fuel prices in Europe. Meanwhile, the cost of charging electric vehicles has remained almost stable. This contrast now results in a particularly noticeable difference in French people’s monthly budgets.

137 euros per month for gasoline

According to data compiled by Roole Data, a gasoline driver spent an average of 137 euros per month on fuel in June, compared to 112 euros in January. Thus, the cost increased by 25 euros over six months, a rise of 20%. The trend is similar for diesel, with the monthly budget rising from 98 to 119 euros during the same period.

Conventional hybrid cars are not spared either: their drivers spent an average of 111 euros per month on fuel in June, 20 euros more than at the start of the year. This increase is mainly due to rising oil prices driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. In France, both SP95 and diesel have once again averaged over 2 euros per liter.

The electricity budget remains at 46 euros per month

The situation is very different for electric cars. According to Roole Data, their average energy cost is around 46 € per month and has hardly changed since August 2025. This amount is almost three times lower than that of a gasoline car.

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Rechargeable hybrids fall somewhere in between. Their fuel cost was 88 € per month in June, provided their owners regularly recharge their batteries. Without this, the advantage of this type of vehicle diminishes quickly.

Energy is only part of the total cost

However, one should avoid reducing the cost of a car to just its fuel expenses. Roole Data estimates that in 2025, owning a car in France cost an average of 440 euros per month, including factors such as purchase price, insurance, maintenance, and energy costs. The budget rose to 545 euros for a new vehicle compared to 409 euros for a used one.

Charging is therefore a significant advantage for electric vehicles, but it alone isn’t enough to determine which type of vehicle is the cheapest overall. Purchase price, annual mileage, and charging location remain crucial factors.