Tesla Model 3 (RWD) or Hyundai Tucson Hybrid One 2x4 — which is cheaper to own?
Over 5 years in Israel (15,000 km/year), the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid One 2x4 is still cheaper to own — about ₪224,823 versus ₪233,779 for the Tesla Model 3 (RWD), a gap of ₪8,956. As of 1 July 2026.
EV purchase tax — rising, and not a perk: unlike most countries, Israel has no purchase incentive for electric cars — the opposite. Purchase tax on electric passenger cars (BEV) rose to 48% in 2026 (from 45% in 2025; before 2025 it was 35%), and the tax-exempt slice of the car's price was cut to NIS 22,000 (from NIS 30,000 in 2025). The Treasury even tried to raise it to 52%, but the Knesset Finance Committee stopped it at 48%. This is a headwind that pushes up BEV sticker prices — we show it as context only and never deduct it from the total cost (deducting it would flatter the electric car unfairly). The shovi shimush usage value (a tax benefit) for a company EV stands at about NIS 1,350 a month (2025) — the temporary provision has been extended unchanged until the end of 2028. Sources: Times of Israel / Globes / Israel Tax Authority gov.il, as of . Confirm the tax rate and the threshold for each model before you buy.
Cheaper over 5 years · IsraelHyundai Tucson Hybrid One 2x4 · ₪224,823 total · that's ₪8,956 less than the Tesla Model 3 (RWD)
Tesla Model 3 (RWD) vs Hyundai Tucson Hybrid One 2x4 — Where the money goes
| Cost component | Electric · Tesla Model 3 | Hybrid · Hyundai Tucson Hybrid One |
|---|---|---|
| Depreciation (estimated) | ₪134,400 (57%) | ₪96,895 (43%) |
| Electricity / fuel | ₪10,333 (4%) | ₪32,760 (15%) |
| ↳ of which charging loss | 12% (~₪1,240) | — |
| Maintenance | ₪21,000 (9%) | ₪36,000 (16%) |
| Insurance | ₪32,500 (14%) | ₪24,000 (11%) |
| Loan interest | ₪35,546 (15%) | ₪35,168 (16%) |
| Fees & taxes | ₪0 (0%) | ₪0 (0%) |
| Total cost | ₪233,779 | ₪224,823 |
When is the electric car worth it?
The electric car starts to pay off once you drive more than 18,500 km/year or keep the car longer than 6 years — from there, the lower running costs gradually cover the higher purchase price.
Tesla Model 3 (RWD) vs Hyundai Tucson Hybrid One 2x4 — Head-to-head
Tesla Model 3 (RWD)
- 5-year total cost
- ₪233,779
- per month
- ₪3,896
- ₪/km
- ₪3.12
- Purchase price
- ₪192,000
- Drivetrain
- Electric
- Consumption
- 14.5 kWh/100km
Hyundai Tucson Hybrid One 2x4
- 5-year total cost
- ₪224,823
- per month
- ₪3,747
- ₪/km
- ₪3.00
- Purchase price
- ₪189,990
- Drivetrain
- Hybrid
- Consumption
- 5.6 L/100km
- Electricity price
- 0.64 ₪/kWh IEC
- Fuel price
- 7.80 ₪/L Ministry of Energy