Petrol vs Electric: How Much Could You Save on Running Costs?

With fuel prices changing from week to week, more Sydney drivers are looking closely at what their vehicle actually costs to run.

Moving to an electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid can change the way you pay for everyday driving. Instead of relying entirely on petrol, an EV such as the Toyota bZ4X uses electricity, while the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid can complete many everyday trips using battery power when it is regularly charged.

To make the comparison easier, we've created a simple Fuel & Energy Savings Calculator. Enter how far you drive, your current vehicle's fuel consumption and your electricity rate to get an estimate based on your own circumstances.

How does an electric vehicle compare with petrol?

For a petrol vehicle, running cost is largely determined by two things: how much fuel the vehicle uses and the price you pay at the pump.

For an electric vehicle, the equivalent calculation is based on how many kilowatt-hours of electricity the vehicle uses per 100 kilometres and the price you pay per kilowatt-hour when charging.

Toyota Australia's February 2026 specification table lists the bZ4X 2WD at 138Wh/km, equivalent to 13.8kWh/100km, and the AWD at 160Wh/km, equivalent to 16.0kWh/100km.

That means the cost of driving a bZ4X can be estimated using your electricity rate rather than a petrol price. Home charging costs will vary between households and electricity plans, which is why the calculator lets you change the electricity rate.

What about the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid?

A plug-in hybrid works differently because it can use both electricity and petrol.

The 2026 RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid has a larger traction battery designed to provide extended electric-only driving when charged. Toyota lists an NEDC electric driving range of up to 154km for the 2WD and 144km for the AWD, with laboratory electric-energy consumption of 184Wh/km and 191Wh/km respectively.

For someone who charges regularly and whose normal driving fits within the available EV range, a large proportion of everyday kilometres may potentially be completed using electricity. Longer journeys can then make use of the petrol engine when required.

This is why the calculator includes an EV-driving percentage for the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid rather than assuming every owner will use the vehicle in exactly the same way.

Why your own numbers matter

No two drivers have exactly the same running costs.

Someone travelling 10,000 kilometres a year in an efficient petrol vehicle will see a very different comparison from someone travelling 30,000 kilometres in a larger petrol SUV.

The same applies to EV charging. The amount you pay will depend on your electricity plan, when you charge and whether you use home or public charging.

For that reason, the calculator lets you adjust:

• Annual kilometres
• Current fuel consumption
• Petrol price
• Electricity rate
• Toyota model
• Estimated EV-mode driving for a RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

The result is still an estimate, but it gives you a much more relevant starting point than using one generic running-cost figure.

Is an EV or plug-in hybrid right for you?

Running cost is only one part of choosing your next vehicle.

Your normal commute, access to charging, longer-distance driving, passenger and cargo needs and preferred vehicle features should all be considered.

The Toyota bZ4X provides a fully electric driving experience, while the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid combines extended electric driving capability with the flexibility of a petrol engine.

If you're considering making the switch, the Penrith Toyota team can help you compare the options based on how you actually use your vehicle.