EV vs petrol cost in Ireland (2026) — the true 5-year total

As of July 2026: of the 41 models we track in Ireland, the cheapest to own over 5 years is the Hyundai Inster Elegance 49 kWh at €28,001 — an electric car. That makes electric the outright winner in this market — though we still say it plainly wherever a petrol or hybrid model wins.

What an electric car really costs to own in Ireland versus petrol or diesel — depreciation, home charging, motor tax, insurance and maintenance, every figure sourced and dated. EVs are much cheaper to run here (high petrol, cheap night charging), but their higher price and faster depreciation mean a petrol or hybrid often wins the 5-year total — each comparison shows exactly which, and when an EV pulls ahead. The SEAI grant is shown separately, not in the totals. In Ireland, the average private motor insurance premium was €623 in 2024, per the Central Bank of Ireland's National Claims Information Database — a market average, not a quote for this car or driver. EVCostIQ's 5-year totals use our own labeled per-model estimate.