The latest surge in fossil-fuel prices means it is now up to nine times cheaper in the UK to drive an electric vehicle (EV) than a petrol or diesel car, shows Carbon Brief analysis.
A large portion of depreciation and insurance is fixed, not based on actually driving.
And maintenance is lower with EVs as well.
Still though, you are right, 1/9 is specific to fuel, and it’s deceiving. If it.were truly 1/9 we wouldn’t be having this conversation because all vehicles would be EVs.
If it.were truly 1/9 we wouldn’t be having this conversation because all vehicles would be EVs.
“Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 97.8% of all new passenger car registrations in Norway through the first eight months of 2026, according to the Norwegian Road Federation (OFV).” source
“New energy vehicles (NEVs)—including pure electric and plug-in hybrid cars—accounted for a record 65.2% of new car sales in mainland China” source
Oh and don’t worry, if ICE vehicles go away, the politicians will find some way to levy an 8/9ths tax on something else to make up for not having those fuel sales.
id hope so, currently much of it comes from general revenue and second order costs arent factored in, so for example heath care costs subsidise road use.
If you think fuel tax is the majority cost of owning a car, you are going to be disappointed. And why shouldn’t car owners pay to maintain the roads? And how do you think that happens? If it isn’t taxes it will likely be tolls.
We need to figure out how to pay for road upkeep somehow.
That’s not to say the way gas taxes are allocated to road maintenance now is perfect. Far from it. But on paper (at least where I’m from) that’s how roads are maintained.
Depending on the jurisdiction… Gas taxes go towards externalities largely. Roads are funded through general revenue. Perversely, those who don’t drive subsidize drivers.
If I could wave a wand that I dont have:
Gas tax to cover externalities
Tire tax to cover externalities
Toll fees to cover usage.
Reduce income tax and increase social assistance proportionally.
Obviously that would be impossible to sell, but it would be more fair, and incentive better outcomes.
Sales tax makes sense to cover roads because a lot of the wear and tear on the roads is caused by the trucks that deliver goods. Even if you bike to the store, you are using the roads in that way.
Im not disagreeing, it just kinda sucks that im in a VERY low paying with VERY high taxes for our area. In theory that means we should be getting better services. But its quite the opposite.
True. However as has prices rise the ‘savings’ should increase further such that the tax feels smaller compared to the fuel ‘savings’.
The other thing to consider is that high weight vehicles, think tractor trailers, but also EVs to an extent, do significantly more damage to the roads they operate on. I wonder if the proliferation of EVs will increase road wear.
A large portion of depreciation and insurance is fixed, not based on actually driving. And maintenance is lower with EVs as well.
Still though, you are right, 1/9 is specific to fuel, and it’s deceiving. If it.were truly 1/9 we wouldn’t be having this conversation because all vehicles would be EVs.
“Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 97.8% of all new passenger car registrations in Norway through the first eight months of 2026, according to the Norwegian Road Federation (OFV).” source
“New energy vehicles (NEVs)—including pure electric and plug-in hybrid cars—accounted for a record 65.2% of new car sales in mainland China” source
Yeah some markets are definitely adopting faster than others. Different tax regimes, incentives etc…
It will be interesting when Norways fleet share tips over to majority EV.
Oh and don’t worry, if ICE vehicles go away, the politicians will find some way to levy an 8/9ths tax on something else to make up for not having those fuel sales.
Toll roads for everyone?
id hope so, currently much of it comes from general revenue and second order costs arent factored in, so for example heath care costs subsidise road use.
Monkey Paw
Granted but its because you now live in ancapistan
If you think fuel tax is the majority cost of owning a car, you are going to be disappointed. And why shouldn’t car owners pay to maintain the roads? And how do you think that happens? If it isn’t taxes it will likely be tolls.
We need to figure out how to pay for road upkeep somehow.
That’s not to say the way gas taxes are allocated to road maintenance now is perfect. Far from it. But on paper (at least where I’m from) that’s how roads are maintained.
Yeah, fuel taxes are supposed to pay for that. Given the state of the roads at least here in California, it sure doesn’t look like it happens.
I’m also in California and would agree. The word “supposed” is doing a lot of work there.
On the other hand, with so many EVs in California we have to at least consider a part of that is because of the loss of gas tax income.
Depending on the jurisdiction… Gas taxes go towards externalities largely. Roads are funded through general revenue. Perversely, those who don’t drive subsidize drivers.
If I could wave a wand that I dont have:
Gas tax to cover externalities
Tire tax to cover externalities
Toll fees to cover usage.
Reduce income tax and increase social assistance proportionally.
Obviously that would be impossible to sell, but it would be more fair, and incentive better outcomes.
Sales tax makes sense to cover roads because a lot of the wear and tear on the roads is caused by the trucks that deliver goods. Even if you bike to the store, you are using the roads in that way.
Cars sitting in the garage have less impact than cars on the road though.
With tolls you can be more targeted. A road in a city has more cost (land and maintenance) and greater externalities (negatively impacts more people)
Where im at registration is a factor of 2/4x to make up for the fuel tax. Fun times.
I mean yeah?
Roads are not free. Fuel was a reasonable proxy for usage previously. Without that it just leaves non drivers to subsidise driving.
Im not disagreeing, it just kinda sucks that im in a VERY low paying with VERY high taxes for our area. In theory that means we should be getting better services. But its quite the opposite.
True. However as has prices rise the ‘savings’ should increase further such that the tax feels smaller compared to the fuel ‘savings’.
The other thing to consider is that high weight vehicles, think tractor trailers, but also EVs to an extent, do significantly more damage to the roads they operate on. I wonder if the proliferation of EVs will increase road wear.
Cost of motor oil almost doubled. If you can even find it.