Payback time to recover EV upfront premium

Estimated payback time (years) for EV running-cost savings to recover the upfront premium, under different charging mixes (home, public) and annual kilometres (10k, 15k, 20k). Running costs only (energy + servicing).

Assumptions (baseline): Official energy use values are based on Australian new-vehicle label figures (ADR 81/02). Electricity prices: 30c/kWh home, 55c/kWh public fast charging. Petrol price (regular unleaded): $1.85/L. Charging mixes: home-heavy 80/20, mixed 50/50, public-heavy 20/80 (home/public). EV electricity includes 10% charging losses. EV servicing assumed $150/year lower than petrol/hybrid equivalents (conservative). Prices use a Victoria-based drive-away estimate for consistency, results vary by state, tariff, fuel prices and charging access. Exclusions: government rebates, stamp duty concessions, registration discounts, resale value and depreciation, insurance and financing costs. Interpretation: "N/A” means the EV has no running-cost advantage under that scenario. Results above 15 years are shown as “>15”, as they exceed typical ownership horizons, Australia’s passenger vehicle fleet averages about 11 years old.
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