According to the ICCT 'EV Transition Check' report, operating an electric vehicle in the EU was 33 percent cheaper than a gasoline car in 2025. Even when using public charging stations, electric vehicles remained 28 percent more cost-effective. The ongoing oil crisis, which began in February 2026, further increased the cost gap as fuel prices for combustion engines rose by 12 to 36 percent.
Battery costs globally dropped by 35 percent between 2020 and 2025, leading to an 18 percent decrease in purchase costs for electric passenger cars in Germany, adjusted for inflation and features. During the same period, combustion engine vehicle prices rose by 2 percent. The number of available battery-electric models on the market quadrupled between 2020 and 2025, and the market share of fully electric powertrains reached 18 percent in 2025.
In the heavy-duty sector, electric trucks in Germany are currently 11 percent cheaper to purchase and operate for long-haul transport than diesel trucks, aided by toll exemptions. The ICCT expects cost parity for electric and diesel trucks across the EU by 2030. Additionally, electric cars produce 73 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions over their lifecycle compared to petrol vehicles, while electric long-haul trucks offer 86 percent lower emissions than diesel counterparts.