Electric car savings: the ultimate guide to the economic benefits of zero-emission mobility

The electric car has become a concrete reality of modern mobility. In Italy and Europe, more and more drivers are abandoning combustion engines to switch to electric, driven by a combination of factors: generous incentives, reduced management costs, and a growing sensitivity towards environmental sustainability. But the question remains the same: how much do you really save with an electric car?

The answer is not limited to the price of filling up. The savings come from a combination of elements—charging, maintenance, taxes, insurance, and incentives—that, taken together, make electric a smarter choice in the long run.

The real cost of ownership: an investment that pays off over time

The first step to evaluating the savings of an electric car is to consider the total cost of ownership, also known as Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Unlike a gasoline or diesel car, the electric vehicle has a slightly higher initial price, but over time it significantly recovers the difference due to lower management costs.

By 2025, Italian state incentives for the purchase of an electric car will reach up to 11,000 euros for those with an ISEE below 30,000 euros who scrapp an old car, or 9,000 euros for ISEE up to 40,000 euros. These contributions significantly reduce the initial expenditure, making many electric models comparable in price to gasoline or hybrid versions.

A mid-segment electric car can thus go from a list price of 35,000 euros to about 24,000 euros effective, placing it in the same range as a thermal compact. And once purchased, the savings start to grow with every kilometer traveled.

Home charging: the cheapest fill-up ever

Charging an electric car at home is the most economical and convenient solution. With an average residential rate of 0.25–0.30 €/kWh, a car that consumes about 15 kWh every 100 km requires only 4 or 5 euros to cover the same distance.

In comparison, a gasoline car with a consumption of 6 liters/100 km and a fuel price of about 1.90 €/l spends over 11 euros for 100 km. This means a savings of over 50% at every fill-up.

In a year, for a driver covering 15,000 km, the energy expenditure can drop below 750 euros, compared to over 1,600 euros for gasoline or diesel. Those with a photovoltaic system benefit even more: if they charge during the day with self-produced solar energy, the cost per kilometer can be almost zero.

Many electric car owners install a home wallbox—an intelligent charger that allows setting times and power limits—and take advantage of nighttime hours to charge at lower rates.

Public charging: costs and benefits

Charging away from home is more expensive, but remains competitive compared to traditional fuels.

Public charging rates in Italy in 2025 range on average between:

• 0.65 and 0.69 €/kWh for AC chargers up to 22 kW;

• 0.72 and 0.89 €/kWh for fast DC charging.

With these rates, a full charge of 50 kWh costs between 35 and 40 euros, sufficient to cover about 500–600 km.
Again, the expenditure remains lower than the 70–80 euros needed to cover the same distance with a gasoline car.

Some operators like Enel X, Be Charge, and Duferco offer subscription plans or monthly packages that significantly reduce the cost per kWh. During night hours or with scheduled charges, the savings can exceed 30%.

Maintenance: fewer components, more savings

An electric car has no gearbox, clutch, spark plugs, or fuel filters. And this makes a big difference.

The electric motor contains fewer than 20 moving parts, compared to nearly 2,000 of a thermal engine. Fewer mechanical parts mean less friction, fewer breakdowns, and less maintenance.

The main items of expenditure for regular maintenance concern:

• Tires and cabin filters;

• Brake fluid and safety checks;

• Periodic checks of the charging system and software.

Regenerative braking, which recovers energy during deceleration, reduces brake wear by up to 70%.
According to estimates from the Polytechnic University of Milan and the German ADAC, the maintenance of an electric car costs 35 to 40% less than a gasoline vehicle.

In the long term, we're talking about savings of about 2,000 euros every 100,000 km traveled.

Taxes and insurance: incentives that make a difference

One of the least considered but most relevant advantages concerns taxes and insurance policies.

Nearly all Italian regions offer total exemption from the car tax for 5 years, followed by a 75% reduction in the following years.
In many cities, electric car owners can freely access ZTL areas, park for free in blue zones, and benefit from parking incentives.

Insurance companies are also rewarding sustainable mobility with discounts of up to 30% on RC Auto policies for electric vehicles.

Summing it all up, the annual management cost of an electric car can drop below 1,000 euros, compared to the 2,000–2,500 euros on average for a combustion vehicle.

Smart charging: the secret to everyday savings

The technology of electric cars is not just about the battery, but also about energy management.

Modern wallboxes allow for smart and dynamic charging. By setting charging during off-peak hours or in synergy with the photovoltaic system, it is possible to save up to 30% on the electricity bill.

With the Load Balancing function, the home system automatically adjusts the power to avoid overloads, distributing energy among various appliances. This not only optimizes consumption but also extends battery life and reduces waste.

Next-generation solutions, such as those proposed by Daze, also allow monitoring consumption in real time and scheduling charging only when energy is cheaper or self-produced.

Electric cars and photovoltaics: a winning combination

The combination between photovoltaic systems and electric cars represents the most complete form of energy savings.

A 6 kW system can generate about 7,500 kWh per year, sufficient to cover more than 40,000 km with a medium efficiency electric car. Those who mainly charge during the day, during solar production, can practically eliminate the cost of mobility.

By pairing a domestic storage battery, the energy produced during the day can be stored and used at night, ensuring near-total independence from the grid.

In the future, the spread of V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) technologies will allow for energy feed-back to the grid, generating an additional economic return for owners.

The 2025 incentives: a decisive boost

2025 is a key year for electric mobility in Italy. The new incentive scheme provides contributions of up to 11,000 euros for those who scrap an old vehicle and have an ISEE below 30,000 euros, and up to 9,000 euros for higher brackets.

In the absence of scrapping, the contribution remains at 6,000 euros. Added to this are bonuses for the purchase and installation of home charging stations, covered up to 80% of the expense.

The program will be valid until June 30, 2026, with dedicated funds for individuals and companies.

In some regions and cities, such as Lombardy, Piedmont, and Emilia-Romagna, local additional incentives for electric vehicles and charging infrastructure are also provided.

Battery life and value: a certainty over time

One of the most common fears concerns battery life. But the reality is much more reassuring.

Modern batteries use lithium-ion or lithium iron phosphate cells with an average useful life of over 300,000 km.
Manufacturers offer guarantees of 8 years or 160,000 km, but real data shows that many batteries maintain over 80% of capacity even after 10 years of use.

According to Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 on batteries, the European Union will introduce the Digital Battery Passport, an electronic document that will contain essential information such as composition, origin of materials, and performance of batteries for electric vehicles and for industrial use.

This system, which will become mandatory starting in February 2027, aims to improve traceability and transparency throughout the entire lifecycle of batteries, thus facilitating reuse, regeneration, and recycling.

The greater availability of certified data may in the future promote a more transparent and reliable used market, allowing for a more precise assessment of the health status and residual potential of the batteries.

Long-term comparison: electric wins over distance

By adding up the costs of charging, maintenance, and taxes, an electric car allows for savings of between 800 and 1,200 euros per year compared to a traditional vehicle.

After five years, the average savings exceeds 5,000 euros, and in ten years it can reach over 10,000 euros. In addition, the environmental benefit: for every 100 km traveled, about 15 kg of CO₂ is avoided, equivalent to over 2 tons per year for an average driver.

Over time, therefore, the electric car not only pays for itself but also contributes concretely to reducing emissions.

Company electric cars: tax and operational savings

For companies, transitioning to electric is even more convenient.

Corporate fleets benefit from:

• 100% tax deductibility of purchase and management costs;

• reduction of VAT on electricity;

• operating costs 55% lower compared to diesel (source: Motus-E).

Companies that invest in charging infrastructure can also access state contributions and PNRR funds, speeding up the return on investment.

Debunking myths about electric savings

Despite the concrete data, some myths persist that need clarification:

“Charging costs the same as refueling gasoline.”

False: even using fast chargers, the average cost per 100 km remains 40% lower than fuel.

“Batteries degrade quickly.”

Modern batteries lose only 2-3% of their capacity per year and last more than ten years.

“Maintenance is more complicated.”

It’s the opposite: the absence of mechanical components significantly reduces interventions and breakdowns.

“It’s not worth it without photovoltaics.”

Even without a solar system, nighttime home charging is significantly cheaper than gasoline.

A savings that goes beyond economy 

The savings with an electric car are real, tangible, and lasting. From reduced charging costs to simpler maintenance, from state incentives to local tax benefits, every aspect works in favor of electric.

The initial investment pays off over time, and with the evolution of charging technologies and energy production, the economic benefits are set to increase.

Choosing an electric car today means not only spending less, but driving towards a cleaner, more efficient, and aware future. A future in which mobility and sustainability move in the same direction.