Toyota bZ XLE (electric) cost to own in Montana — the true 5-year total
The Toyota bZ XLE (electric) starts at $34,900. As of July 1, 2026, over 5 years, owning one (EV) costs about $47,518 in Montana — $792/month, $0.79/mile — including depreciation, charging (with the ~12% AC charging loss most calculators ignore), maintenance, insurance, financing and fees. That's $6,139 more than a comparable Toyota RAV4 LE (gas) over the same 5 years. Montana's electricity (13.9¢/kWh) is 26% below the U.S. average, and gas runs $3.95/gal here — both fed straight into the numbers above. The federal $7,500 EV credit expired Sept 30, 2025 and is not applied.
Toyota bZ XLE (electric) · Montana · 5-year estimate$47,518 total · $792/mo · $0.79/mi
Where the money goes
| Cost component | Electric · Toyota bZ XLE | Gas · Toyota RAV4 LE |
|---|---|---|
| Depreciation (estimated) | $19,195 (40%) | $10,800 (26%) |
| Charging / fuel | $3,179 (7%) | $7,896 (19%) |
| ↳ of which charging loss | 12% (~$381) | — |
| Maintenance | $3,660 (8%) | $5,520 (13%) |
| Insurance | $13,750 (29%) | $11,000 (27%) |
| Financing interest | $5,999 (13%) | $5,078 (12%) |
| Registration & fees | $1,735 (4%) | $1,085 (3%) |
| Total cost of ownership | $47,518 | $41,379 |
The charging-loss row is the ~10–15% of electricity lost to AC charging that you pay for but never reaches the battery — we include it; most calculators don't.
Toyota bZ XLE (electric) specs & assumptions
- Starting MSRP
- $34,900manufacturer base
- Powertrain
- Electric
- Efficiency
- 25.8 kWh/100miEPA
- Range
- 236 miEPA
- Montana electricity
- 13.9¢/kWhEIA
- Annual miles (assumed)
- 12,000adjustable in tool
Compare the Toyota bZ XLE (electric) against any car, your miles & your state
What else moves your Toyota bZ XLE (electric) cost
The 5-year total already folds in depreciation, charging, insurance, maintenance and financing. Here's how the biggest levers work — and the ones that sit outside the total.
- Financing. Borrow the full $34,900 at a typical 7.2% new-car APR over 60 months and interest alone adds about $6,762. Lower the APR or add a down payment in the calculator and the total drops — financing is in the 5-year figure above.
- Insurance. This model averages about $2,750/yr to insure — roughly $550/yr more than a comparable gas car ($2,200/yr), as EV parts and repairs tend to cost more — our own estimate, calibrated to Insurify/Bankrate 2026, and already in the total above.
- Home charger. A Level 2 home charger is a one-time $500–$2,000 installed (depends on your panel and wiring) — not in the total above, but it pays back fast versus public fast-charging.
- Tires. EVs are heavier and make instant torque, so tires can wear ~20% faster — a real running cost most comparisons skip. We fold a higher maintenance rate for EVs into the total.
- Where you charge. Public DC fast-charging can cost 2–3× your home rate. The total assumes 80% home charging; if you can't charge at home, lower that share in the calculator to see the real cost.
Cost to charge the Toyota bZ XLE (electric) at home
A full charge of the Toyota bZ XLE (electric) costs about $9, and it runs about $4.08 per 100 mi at home — versus about $13.16 for a typical 30 mpg gas car. Home charging only (the ~12% AC charging loss is included); public DC fast-charging is billed per session by each network — often 2–3× the home rate — and isn't in these figures.
- Full charge (57.7 kWh usable)
- $9pack ÷ (1 − 12% loss) × $0.14/kWh
- Per 100 mi at home
- $4.0825.8 kWh/100mi + 12% charging loss × $0.14/kWh
- A typical 30 mpg gas car
- $13.16/100miat $3.95/gal — for comparison
Recalls & reliability record — bZ4X
Official U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) safety record for the bZ4X, MY 2023–2026. Figures cover all powertrains and trims sold under the bZ4X nameplate for the model years shown. A recall means a free remedy is available at no cost. Source: NHTSA (nhtsa.gov), data as of .
Recalls (4)
- Back Over Prevention
Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge.
- Visibility
Dealers will update the HVAC control ECU software, free of charge.
- Equipment
GST will mail new labels to owners, free of charge.
- Wheels
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they are repaired.
Do not drive until repaired — NHTSA “Park It” advisory.
Consumer complaints
NHTSA has 33 consumer complaints on file for the bZ4X (MY 2023–2026). The most-reported areas: Electrical System, Structure, Visibility. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA.
Toyota bZ XLE (electric) head-to-head comparisons
The 5-year cost gap against the cars buyers cross-shop:
← Toyota bZ XLE (electric) cost (U.S. average)