EV vs Hybrid Running Costs in NZ: A Real-World Comparison

We tracked real-world costs across six vehicles over 12 months of Auckland driving: two EVs, two plug-in hybrids, and two standard hybrids. Here's what we found.

The vehicles

• Nissan Leaf (40 kWh, 2020) — full EV
• Hyundai IONIQ 5 (2022, AWD) — full EV
• Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (2019) — plug-in hybrid
• Kia Niro PHEV (2021) — plug-in hybrid
• Toyota Prius (2018, Gen 4) — standard hybrid
• Toyota Aqua (2015) — standard hybrid

All vehicles were driven in a mix of city, motorway, and occasional regional trips. Electricity cost used: $0.32/kWh (standard Auckland residential rate). Petrol: $2.45/L average over the period.

Energy cost per 100 km

| Vehicle | Fuel/energy cost per 100 km | |---|---| | Nissan Leaf | $3.20 | | IONIQ 5 | $4.15 | | Outlander PHEV (mixed) | $5.80 | | Niro PHEV (mixed) | $4.90 | | Prius Gen 4 | $6.85 | | Toyota Aqua | $5.60 |

The Leaf wins on energy cost, but the IONIQ 5 costs more to run per km despite being a full EV — it's heavier and less efficient. The Aqua beats the Prius despite being older because it's lighter.

Annual servicing costs

| Vehicle | Annual servicing (est.) | |---|---| | Nissan Leaf | $180 | | IONIQ 5 | $220 | | Outlander PHEV | $480 | | Niro PHEV | $420 | | Prius Gen 4 | $350 | | Toyota Aqua | $300 |

EVs win clearly here. No oil changes, no spark plugs, significantly reduced brake wear due to regenerative braking. The PHEVs pay a servicing penalty because they have both a combustion engine and an electric drivetrain to maintain.

Battery replacement provision

This is the cost most people forget. Every hybrid and EV battery will eventually need replacement. Spreading the likely replacement cost over expected remaining life gives you a per-year provision:

| Vehicle | Est. replacement cost | Years remaining | Annual provision | |---|---|---|---| | Nissan Leaf | $1,800 | 6 | $300 | | IONIQ 5 | $3,500 | 9 | $390 | | Outlander PHEV | $2,500 | 7 | $357 | | Niro PHEV | $1,600 | 8 | $200 | | Prius Gen 4 | $1,350 | 8 | $169 | | Toyota Aqua | $1,200 | 5 | $240 |

The Prius and Aqua look strong here — their batteries are cheap to replace relative to their lifespan.

Total cost of ownership (annual, 15,000 km)

| Vehicle | Energy | Servicing | Battery provision | Total | |---|---|---|---|---| | Nissan Leaf | $480 | $180 | $300 | $960 | | IONIQ 5 | $623 | $220 | $390 | $1,233 | | Outlander PHEV | $870 | $480 | $357 | $1,707 | | Niro PHEV | $735 | $420 | $200 | $1,355 | | Prius Gen 4 | $1,028 | $350 | $169 | $1,547 | | Toyota Aqua | $840 | $300 | $240 | $1,380 |

What the numbers mean

If you charge at home, the Leaf is the clear winner for low-mileage city driving. Its efficiency and cheap servicing are hard to beat.

If you can't charge at home (apartment, rented property), the standard hybrids — particularly the Aqua and Prius — become much more competitive. You lose the overnight charging advantage, and a hybrid works well without it.

PHEVs only make sense if you can charge regularly and your daily driving stays within their electric range (40–50 km for most models). Driven mainly on petrol, a PHEV costs more than a standard hybrid with no benefit.

The IONIQ 5 is the most capable vehicle in this group but the most expensive to run. Its value is in comfort, performance, and range — not economy.