Diesel Fuel Surpasses 100 TL: Is an Electric Car Now Cheaper to Run?
The rise in diesel prices to three-digit levels has changed the ownership calculation for drivers in Turkey. While diesel vehicles have traditionally been preferred for their fuel economy and long-distance range, the sharp increase in pump prices has significantly raised their monthly operating costs. Electric cars, meanwhile, offer a wider range of energy costs depending on whether they are charged at home, at an AC station or through a fast DC network.
A comparison based on average consumption shows that the gap between diesel and electric vehicles is becoming increasingly noticeable, particularly for drivers covering high monthly distances.
Diesel costs rise by 25% in one month
Consider a diesel car that consumes an average of 6 litres per 100 kilometres and has a 50-litre fuel tank. With a full tank, the vehicle can travel approximately 833 kilometres.
When diesel was priced at around 80 TL per litre one month ago, the estimated costs were as follows:
– Filling a 50-litre tank cost approximately 3,989 TL.
– A driver covering 1,500 kilometres per month used around 90 litres of diesel.
– Monthly fuel expenditure was approximately 7,180 TL.
With the current diesel price in Istanbul reaching 100.31 TL per litre, the calculation changes considerably:
– Filling the same 50-litre tank now costs around 5,015 TL.
– Monthly consumption of 90 litres results in a fuel bill of approximately 9,028 TL.
This means the monthly fuel cost of the same diesel vehicle has increased by roughly 25% in just one month. The increase also affects the cost per kilometre. Based on the current price, fuel alone costs approximately 6 TL per kilometre for a car consuming 6 litres per 100 kilometres.
Electric car consumption calculation
Now consider an electric vehicle equipped with a 60 kWh battery and an average consumption of 18 kWh per 100 kilometres. Under ideal conditions, a full battery provides approximately 333 kilometres of range.
For monthly driving of 1,500 kilometres, this car would require approximately 270 kWh of electricity. However, the final cost depends entirely on the charging method.
Home charging
Home charging remains the most economical option for most electric-car owners. Assuming a residential electricity cost of approximately 3 TL per kWh, charging the vehicle for 1,500 kilometres would cost around:
270 kWh × 3 TL = 810 TL
In practice, charging losses may increase the actual amount of electricity drawn from the grid. Even with a moderate allowance for these losses, the monthly cost would remain close to 800-900 TL.
AC public charging
AC charging stations are generally more affordable than fast-charging networks, although they are slower. If the average price is assumed to be 9 TL per kWh, the monthly cost becomes:
270 kWh × 9 TL = 2,430 TL
Depending on the operator, AC charging prices may range from approximately 8.5 to 10 TL per kWh. Therefore, a driver relying primarily on public AC stations may spend around 2,400-2,700 TL per month.
DC fast charging
DC charging is useful for long journeys and situations where the car must be recharged quickly. However, it is also the most expensive option. With an average price of 14 TL per kWh:
270 kWh × 14 TL = 3,780 TL
Depending on the station and tariff, DC prices can vary between approximately 12 and 16 TL per kWh. A driver who depends heavily on fast-charging stations could therefore face a monthly energy bill of roughly 3,200-4,300 TL.
Monthly cost comparison
Based on the assumptions above, the estimated energy costs are:
| Vehicle and charging method | Approximate monthly cost |
|—|—:|
| Diesel car | 9,028 TL |
| Electric car charged at home | 810 TL |
| Electric car using AC stations | 2,430 TL |
| Electric car using DC fast charging | 3,780 TL |
The figures show that electric vehicles remain less expensive to operate in terms of energy, even when public charging is used. The advantage is particularly large for drivers who can charge at home overnight.
Cost per 100 kilometres
The difference becomes clearer when calculated per 100 kilometres:
– Diesel vehicle: around 601.86 TL
– Electric vehicle charged at home: around 54 TL
– Electric vehicle using AC charging: around 162 TL
– Electric vehicle using DC charging: around 252 TL
These estimates do not include taxes, maintenance, insurance, depreciation or financing costs. They only compare the energy required to travel the same distance.
Charging access is a decisive factor
The financial benefit of an electric vehicle depends heavily on where it can be charged. A driver with a private parking space and access to a household socket can use the lowest-cost charging option. By contrast, a driver living in an apartment without a dedicated parking area may need to rely on public networks.
This distinction can reduce the practical savings of an electric car, especially if most charging takes place at expensive DC stations. Fast charging should generally be considered a convenience rather than the primary everyday charging method.
Driving style also affects the calculation
Actual consumption may differ from official figures. High speeds, cold weather, heavy traffic, frequent use of heating or air conditioning and steep roads can increase energy consumption in an electric car. Similarly, aggressive driving, short trips and urban congestion can raise diesel consumption.
For this reason, buyers should base their calculations on realistic usage rather than catalogue figures. A vehicle advertised at 18 kWh per 100 kilometres may consume more under winter or motorway conditions.
Purchase price and ownership costs still matter
Lower energy expenses do not automatically make every electric vehicle financially superior. Electric cars may have higher purchase prices, while insurance premiums, financing costs and depreciation can differ from those of diesel models.
Maintenance is usually simpler for an electric vehicle because it has no engine oil, oil filter, exhaust system or many of the mechanical components found in an internal-combustion car. Nevertheless, tyre wear, brake components, battery warranty conditions and potential repair costs should also be considered.
Long-term impact of fuel prices
Diesel prices can change rapidly because they are influenced by crude oil prices, exchange rates, taxes and distribution costs. Electricity prices are also subject to change, but home-charging users may have greater control over their average cost, particularly when they can charge during lower-tariff periods.
For a driver covering 18,000 kilometres per year, the difference becomes substantial. At the current assumptions, a diesel car could require more than 108,000 TL in annual fuel expenditure, while an electric car charged primarily at home could use less than 10,000 TL worth of electricity. Public AC or DC charging would raise the electric vehicle’s annual cost, but the gap would still remain significant.
Conclusion
The diesel price rising above 100 TL has fundamentally changed the running-cost equation. A diesel vehicle travelling 1,500 kilometres each month may now require approximately 9,028 TL in fuel, compared with around 810 TL for an electric car charged at home.
Public charging narrows the advantage but does not eliminate it. Monthly electric-car energy costs are estimated at approximately 2,400 TL with AC charging and around 3,800 TL when DC charging is used predominantly.
Therefore, the most suitable choice depends not only on the purchase price, but also on annual mileage, access to home charging, typical travel distances, driving conditions and expected ownership period. For high-mileage users with convenient home charging, an electric vehicle offers a particularly strong operating-cost advantage.