What 5,000 extra kilometres a year change

Short answer #

Extra mileage increases variable cost directly while many fixed costs stay unchanged. Calculate energy precisely, add maintenance and test incremental depreciation as a separate range.

Important variables #

• Equal holding period and mileage
• Net sale proceeds and contract cost
• Energy, maintenance and insurance
• Liquidity and finance rate

Worked example #

5,000 km at 20 kWh/100 km and €0.40/kWh costs €400 electricity. At 7 l/100 km and €1.85/l it is €647.50 fuel.

Break-even: What changes the result? #

Test the main driver as a cautious, central and optimistic range. Also check whether the ranking reverses at a crossover or remains robust across the range.

Common mistakes #

• Comparing monthly payments only
• Treating resale as certain
• Omitting one-offs or mileage

Sources & assumptions

• Bundesministerium der Finanzen — Steuerbefreiung für Elektroautos (2026-08-17)
• RATIOXA — Methodology and formulas (2026-08-17)