For consumers, EV adoption depends less on technology hype than on household budgets. Yet most studies only show averages or projections without revealing the cost structure.
This dataset tracks the true total cost of ownership of EVs versus ICEs, across geographies and categories. It shows both when parity arrives and what drives the gap — giving you a grounded view of affordability.
Benchmark EV and ICE total cost of ownership under common assumptions
Normalize all values to EUR for direct cross-country comparison
Track parity year estimates for compact cars (SUVs and others also available)
Surface local drivers: incentives, fuel €/L, electricity €/kWh, parking rules
Attach confidence scores for every enriched field
This segment is activated with a blend of trusted sources and your own inputs
AI reasoning
Web intelligence
EV vs. ICE parity year estimates, per geography
Full cost breakdowns (ownership, fuel, power, taxes, parking)
Standardized affordability ratios linked to disposable income
Comparable data across cities, states, and countries
Confidence scores and methods for transparency
Global view, local drivers — ready for your market sizing.
Your questions on this segment, answered
Your questions on this segment, answered
How often are parity benchmarks updated, and how can businesses or policymakers use them in planning?
Updates can be scheduled monthly or faster depending on market changes. Businesses use them to plan EV launches and pricing; policymakers use them to target support. Timely refresh keeps strategies aligned with reality.
What role do incentives and local policies play in shifting cost parity timelines?
Incentives can accelerate parity by several years, while taxes or parking rules can delay it. Policy is often the deciding factor for near-term affordability. This makes updates essential as programs evolve.
How do disposable income levels shape EV affordability across markets?
Affordability depends on the share of income consumed by ownership costs. Even if parity is reached, markets with lower incomes face higher budget pressure. This explains adoption gaps across countries.
Can parity arrive earlier or later depending on vehicle category (SUVs, premium vs. compacts)?
Yes. Larger or premium vehicles often reach parity later due to higher battery costs, while compact EVs are closer today. Category tracking helps segment markets realistically.
Which hidden cost drivers (e.g., depreciation, insurance, parking) most affect EV vs. ICE costs?
Depreciation is usually the largest hidden driver, followed by insurance and parking where applicable. These costs can offset savings from fuel and maintenance. Tracking them ensures a complete affordability picture.
How reliable are parity year forecasts, and what causes variation between regions?
Forecasts use current cost structures and trends, but energy prices and policies can shift outcomes. Regions with high fuel prices or strong incentives often reach parity earlier. Confidence scores signal the robustness of each estimate.
What does EV cost parity mean for households beyond the purchase price?
It reflects the full five-year cost of ownership, not just the sticker price. Households compare fuel, insurance, depreciation, and taxes. True parity is when EVs no longer cost more to own and run than ICEs.
{ "_meta": { "dictionaryColumns": ["Variable", "Data_Type", "Sample_Value", "Description"] }, "data": [ { "Variable": "geo_name", "Description": "Geographic unit analyzed (city, state, or country)", "Business_Rules": "Provided by user; standardized to official English naming", "Source_System": "User Input", "Data_Type": "VARCHAR", "Sample_Value": "Paris" }, { "Variable": "geo_level", "Description": "Granularity of the geographic unit", "Business_Rules": "ENUM: city|state|country", "Source_System": "User Input", "Data_Type": "ENUM", "Sample_Value": "city" }, { "Variable": "tco_ice_compact_5yr_eur", "Description": "5-year total cost of ownership for a compact ICE car", "Business_Rules": "VW Golf equivalent; 15,000 km/year; depreciation, fuel, taxes, insurance, parking, maintenance", "Source_System": "Web Intelligence", "Data_Type": "DECIMAL", "Sample_Value": "32500" }, { "Variable": "tco_ev_compact_5yr_eur", "Description": "5-year total cost of ownership for a compact EV", "Business_Rules": "VW ID.3 equivalent; same usage assumptions as ICE", "Source_System": "Web Intelligence", "Data_Type": "DECIMAL", "Sample_Value": "35800" }, { "Variable": "tco_ice_suv_5yr_eur", "Description": "5-year total cost of ownership for a mid-size ICE SUV", "Business_Rules": "VW Tiguan equivalent; standard usage", "Source_System": "Web Intelligence", "Data_Type": "DECIMAL", "Sample_Value": "45000" }, { "Variable": "tco_ev_suv_5yr_eur", "Description": "5-year total cost of ownership for a mid-size EV SUV", "Business_Rules": "VW ID.4 equivalent; standard usage", "Source_System": "Web Intelligence", "Data_Type": "DECIMAL", "Sample_Value": "48000" }, { "Variable": "ev_ice_tco_ratio", "Description": "EV to ICE TCO ratio (compact segment)", "Business_Rules": "Calculated as tco_ev_compact_5yr_eur / tco_ice_compact_5yr_eur", "Source_System": "AI Reasoning", "Data_Type": "DECIMAL", "Sample_Value": "1.10" }, { "Variable": "parity_year_estimate", "Description": "Estimated calendar year when EV compact reaches cost parity", "Business_Rules": "Integer year; 0 if parity already achieved", "Source_System": "AI Reasoning", "Data_Type": "INTEGER", "Sample_Value": "2027" }, { "Variable": "median_disposable_income", "Description": "Median annual disposable household income (EUR)", "Business_Rules": "Relevant metro, state, or country; expressed in EUR", "Source_System": "Web Intelligence", "Data_Type": "DECIMAL", "Sample_Value": "38000" }, { "Variable": "affordability_index", "Description": "Share of income consumed by EV compact TCO", "Business_Rules": "tco_ev_compact_5yr_eur / (median_disposable_income * 5)", "Source_System": "AI Reasoning", "Data_Type": "DECIMAL", "Sample_Value": "0.19" }, { "Variable": "ev_purchase_incentive_eur", "Description": "Total EV purchase incentive available", "Business_Rules": "Sum of national + local grants; 0 if none", "Source_System": "Web Intelligence", "Data_Type": "DECIMAL", "Sample_Value": "6000" }, { "Variable": "fuel_cost_per_liter_eur", "Description": "Average gasoline price per liter", "Business_Rules": "Local retail average; 2024 estimate", "Source_System": "Web Intelligence", "Data_Type": "DECIMAL", "Sample_Value": "1.85" }, { "Variable": "electricity_cost_per_kwh_eur", "Description": "Average EV charging electricity price per kWh", "Business_Rules": "Weighted mix of residential and public charging", "Source_System": "Web Intelligence", "Data_Type": "DECIMAL", "Sample_Value": "0.32" }, { "Variable": "annual_insurance_cost_eur", "Description": "Average annual comprehensive insurance cost", "Business_Rules": "Standard driver profile; urban average", "Source_System": "Web Intelligence", "Data_Type": "DECIMAL", "Sample_Value": "950" }, { "Variable": "annual_parking_cost_eur", "Description": "Average annual residential parking cost", "Business_Rules": "Permit + typical private/municipal options; 0 if none", "Source_System": "Web Intelligence", "Data_Type": "DECIMAL", "Sample_Value": "1200" }, { "Variable": "annual_depreciation_pct", "Description": "Average annual vehicle depreciation rate", "Business_Rules": "Applies to ICE and EV references; 2024 market", "Source_System": "Web Intelligence", "Data_Type": "DECIMAL", "Sample_Value": "15.2" }, { "Variable": "congestion_charge_amount", "Description": "Congestion charge per entry (EUR)", "Business_Rules": "0 if no scheme; use weekday rate", "Source_System": "Web Intelligence", "Data_Type": "DECIMAL", "Sample_Value": "0" }, { "Variable": "parking_regulation_index", "Description": "Parking regulation stringency (0–100)", "Business_Rules": "Scaled from local rules; higher is more restrictive", "Source_System": "Web Intelligence", "Data_Type": "DECIMAL", "Sample_Value": "75" } ] }
