Germany 2026: Electric cars face higher purchase price but lower running costs

In 2026 Germany, electric vehicles (EVs) still command a purchase premium of €5,000‑€15,000 over comparable gasoline models. While this upfront gap persists despite manufacturers' discount battles, operating expenses favor EVs: a typical EV consumes 18‑20 kWh per 100 km, costing about €5.80‑€7.40 per 100 km at a household electricity rate of €0.35 kWh, roughly half the €12.25‑€14.00 cost for a gasoline car burning 7‑8 L at €1.75 per litre.

Maintenance differences are notable. The ADAC reports a breakdown rate of 6.5 % for four‑year‑old EVs versus 12.5 % for comparable ICE vehicles, translating to annual service costs of €400‑€600 for EVs, well below ICE expenses. EVs also remain exempt from the German vehicle tax until the end of 2030. However, depreciation remains a significant risk: analyses by DAT and Carvago show that many EVs lose up to 70 % of their value after three years, ending up at about 51.5 % of the original list price, compared with 64 % for gasoline cars. Premium EVs such as the Porsche Taycan or Mercedes EQE suffer the steepest value drops, driven by rapid battery and charging‑technology advances that quickly render older models outdated.