In 2026, electric cars ceased to be an expensive experiment for enthusiasts and became a rational financial choice for millions of Europeans. The total cost of ownership of battery vehicles in many segments is already lower than that of combustion cars, and savings on fuel and servicing amount to thousands of zlotys per year. The myths about the unprofitability of electric vehicles do not stand up to confrontation with hard data.
The difference in the day-to-day running costs of an electric car compared to a combustion vehicle is so large in 2026 that it is hard to ignore. According to data from April 2026, driving 100 kilometres in an electric car charged at home costs approximately 18 zlotys, while a similar distance in a petrol car costs around 44 zlotys, and even more in a diesel. With an annual mileage of 15,000 kilometres, the difference in fuel alone exceeds 3,900 zlotys per year in favour of the electric car. Under the night-time G12 tariff, the cost of home charging drops to about 8 zlotys per 100 kilometres, making the electric car up to five times cheaper in everyday use.
Even charging exclusively at public fast-charging stations, which are more expensive than home charging, remains competitive with fossil fuels. At a price of about 2 zlotys per kilowatt-hour, the cost of driving 100 kilometres is approximately 36 zlotys, which is still less than petrol at regulated prices. The growing charging infrastructure in Poland, which at the end of February 2026 already had 12,431 charging points, is making access to cheap energy increasingly easier.
Another area of savings is servicing and repair costs. An electric car has significantly fewer moving parts than a combustion vehicle. The absence of an internal combustion engine, gearbox, exhaust system or the need to change oil and filters means that servicing is less frequent and cheaper. It is estimated that the annual maintenance costs of an electric car can be lower by 1,500 to 2,000 zlotys compared to a combustion car. Over five years, this translates to savings of 7,500 to 10,000 zlotys. The regenerative braking system reduces wear on brake pads and discs, which also translates into lower workshop bills.
Energy and operating costs. Electric wins on every kilometre
In 2026, the Polish government offers a range of financial incentives that significantly reduce the purchase cost of an electric car. The NaszEauto programme, funded by the National Recovery Plan, provides a basic subsidy of up to 30,000 zlotys. Those who decide to scrap an old combustion car can receive an additional 10,000 zlotys bonus, giving a total of up to 40,000 zlotys in support. This amount in many cases eliminates the price difference between an electric car and a comparable combustion car, and sometimes even makes the electric car cheaper from the start.
For entrepreneurs, the key benefit is higher depreciation limits. From 1 January 2026, electric and hydrogen cars can be depreciated up to 225,000 zlotys, while for combustion cars this limit is only 100,000 zlotys. This means that companies can deduct a significantly higher portion of the vehicle’s value from their taxable income, which in the case of more expensive models translates into real tax savings of several thousand zlotys. For plug-in hybrid cars, the limit is 150,000 zlotys, which also gives an advantage over pure combustion cars, but falls short of electric vehicles.
The benefits for electric cars do not end with tax relief. In many Polish cities, electric vehicles can park for free in paid parking zones, have access to bus lanes and are exempt from some road charges. These conveniences, although difficult to value directly, translate into additional savings and convenience in everyday use. Under current regulations, these preferences are to be extended at least until the end of 2027, giving electric car drivers confidence that their choice will continue to be rewarded.
Tax benefits and subsidies. The state encourages change
One of the main arguments against electric cars has always been the high purchase price. This barrier, however, is systematically decreasing. According to BloombergNEF, lithium-ion battery prices fell by 8 percent in 2025 to a record low of 108 dollars per kilowatt-hour. Forecasts for 2026 assume a further decline to around 105 dollars per kilowatt-hour. By comparison, in 2010 the price of one kilowatt-hour of battery capacity was nearly 1,000 dollars. This spectacular decline, driven by fierce competition, growing production scale and the shift to cheaper technologies such as lithium-iron-phosphate cells, is directly translating into lower final vehicle prices.
As a result, the average price of a new electric car in Europe fell by about 1,800 euros in 2025 compared to the previous year. Analysts predict that in Poland, electric car prices will begin to equalise with those of traditional cars as early as 2026-2029. This means that within the next few years, the difference in purchase price will cease to be an argument against electric cars, and the advantage in running costs will make them the undisputed leader in cost-effectiveness.
The appearance on the market of an increasing number of affordable models, especially in the B and C segments, is further accelerating this process. In 2026, the offer of electric cars in lower price segments has significantly expanded, giving the average consumer more and more cost-effective options to choose from. The previous trend, in which electric cars were reserved for wealthy buyers, is becoming a thing of the past.
Falling battery prices and purchase cost parity
The most reliable indicator of a car’s cost-effectiveness is the total cost of ownership, which includes not only the purchase price but also fuel, servicing, insurance, depreciation and residual value. The Ayvens Mobility 2026 Study found that in 2026, electric vehicles offer an average of 19 percent savings in total cost of ownership compared to other powertrains. 81 percent of the most competitive profiles in the TCO matrix are electrified vehicles, and in the passenger car segment this figure reaches 91 percent.
The European consumer organisation BEUC confirmed in its 2025 report that electric cars are reaching a tipping point in Europe, and their total cost of ownership is becoming competitive with conventional cars from as early as 2026. Every new electric car registered today will generate savings of 262 to 849 euros per year for its future second and third owners compared to a petrol equivalent. This means that the financial benefits of choosing an electric car do not only apply to the first buyer but extend throughout the vehicle’s entire life cycle.
For a typical Polish driver who covers about 15,000 kilometres per year and charges mainly at home, the total cost of owning an electric car over five years is 35,000 to 55,000 zlotys lower than a comparable combustion car. Even in a scenario where the user relies exclusively on public chargers, the electric car’s advantage remains, although less pronounced. The key factor determining cost-effectiveness remains access to home charging, which maximises savings.
One of the most frequently repeated arguments against electric cars is their rapid depreciation. Indeed, in the past, electric cars lost value faster than combustion cars. This situation, however, is changing. According to JD Power data, in June 2026, used electric car prices in Germany rose by approximately 2.9 percent, while diesel car prices showed a declining trend over a similar period. This is a clear signal that the secondary market is beginning to appreciate electric cars, and their residual value is stabilising, and in some segments even rising.
In the United Kingdom, the residual value of one-year-old electric cars fell by only 5 percent over the course of 2026, while for combustion cars the declines were significantly deeper. Experts indicate that although electric cars may still lose value slightly faster than the best combustion models, this difference is systematically narrowing. Growing awareness of the benefits of owning an electric car, increasing demand in the secondary market and the extending lifespan of batteries mean that concerns about depreciation are becoming less and less justified.
Battery warranties, which in most cases are 8 years or 160,000 kilometres, further increase the confidence of used electric car buyers. In practice, this means that even a several-year-old electric car still has cover for the most expensive and most important component, making it an attractive option on the secondary market. Although the used electric car market is still evolving, the trend is unequivocally positive for their residual value.
Secondary market and residual value. Do electric cars lose value faster?
The profitability of electric cars is no longer just a matter of the future. Manufacturers who have invested in electrification are beginning to reap the rewards. Although margins on electric cars may still be lower than on mature combustion models, falling battery costs, growing production scale and optimisation of manufacturing processes are making electric cars increasingly profitable. More and more models are achieving profitability at the operating level, and further falls in battery prices will only accelerate this process.
Global growth in electric car sales, which in Europe in 2025 amounted to around 30 percent, with their market share exceeding 17.4 percent and clearly overtaking diesel, is evidence of a lasting market trend. Consumers are voting with their wallets, and their choices indicate that electric cars are ceasing to be a niche and are becoming mainstream. In Poland, in the first quarter of 2026, registrations of electric cars increased by 22 percent compared to the same period of the previous year, showing that this trend is not bypassing our country.
The future of automotive is electric, and the question of electric car profitability has already been settled. The figures, cost analyses and market trends clearly show that electric cars are not only cost-effective but in many cases are becoming the most rational financial choice. The myths about their unprofitability arose at a time when the technology was expensive and immature. Today, in 2026, electric cars are not only about ecology but above all about economics.
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