Car Cost Calculator New Zealand
Calculate the true annual cost of owning a car in NZ — depreciation, rego, WOF, fuel, Road User Charges, insurance, and maintenance. Compare petrol vs EV.
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How to Use This Calculator
Tab "Total Cost"
Enter your vehicle's purchase price, how many years you plan to own it, and your annual km. Select the fuel type (petrol, diesel, EV, or hybrid) — this automatically adjusts whether Road User Charges apply. Enter your fuel consumption, fuel price, depreciation rate, insurance, and maintenance estimates. The calculator shows total annual cost, cost per km, and total cost over your ownership period.
Tab "Running Cost"
Enter your fuel type, consumption rate, annual km, and fuel or electricity price. The calculator estimates your annual fuel cost, Road User Charges (if applicable), servicing, and tyres — giving a full picture of day-to-day running costs without depreciation or insurance.
Tab "Petrol vs EV"
Enter the purchase price of a petrol vehicle and an EV, your annual km, petrol price, and electricity price. The calculator compares annual running costs (fuel, RUC, servicing, tyres), calculates the annual saving, and shows the break-even year — how long until the EV's cheaper running costs offset its higher purchase price.
The Formulas
Depreciation = Purchase price × Depreciation rate %
Annual fuel cost (petrol/diesel):
Fuel cost = (L/100km ÷ 100) × Annual km × Fuel price per litre
Annual electricity cost (EV):
Electricity cost = (kWh/100km ÷ 100) × Annual km × Price per kWh
Road User Charges (RUC):
RUC = (Annual km ÷ 1,000) × $76 (light vehicle rate)
Applies to diesel vehicles and EVs (from 1 April 2024)
Total annual cost:
Total = Depreciation + Rego + WOF + Insurance + Fuel + RUC + Maintenance
Cost per km:
Cost per km = Total annual cost ÷ Annual km
EV break-even year:
Break-even = (EV price − Petrol price) ÷ Annual running cost saving
NZ 2026 fixed costs: Registration ~$110/year, WOF ~$70/year, RUC ~$76/1,000km for diesel and EVs. Sources: Waka Kotahi (NZTA), AA New Zealand.
Example — Toyota Corolla, $30,000, 12,000 km/year
Petrol Toyota Corolla — typical NZ ownership cost
A $30,000 petrol Toyota Corolla driven 12,000 km/year, owned for 5 years. Fuel consumption 7L/100km at $3.00/L. Insurance $800/year, maintenance $1,200/year.
This is the true cost of ownership — significantly more than just the sticker price. The formula: fuel = (7 ÷ 100) × 12,000 × $3.00 = $2,520. Petrol cars do not pay RUC; they pay fuel excise duty included in the pump price.
NZ Car Ownership Key Costs
| Cost item | Typical NZ amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Registration (rego) | ~$110/year | Light vehicle, paid to Waka Kotahi |
| WOF (Warrant of Fitness) | ~$60–$80/year | Annual for vehicles 3+ years old; 6-monthly for older vehicles |
| Road User Charges (RUC) | ~$76 per 1,000 km | Diesel vehicles + EVs from 1 April 2024 |
| Petrol price | ~$2.80–$3.20/L | Regular 91 octane, March 2026. Includes fuel excise duty (no RUC). |
| Electricity (EV charging) | ~$0.25–$0.35/kWh home | Public fast charging ~$0.45–$0.60/kWh |
| Comprehensive insurance | ~$600–$2,000/year | Varies by vehicle value, driver age, excess |
| Annual servicing | ~$400–$700/year | EV cheaper; diesel typically higher |
| Tyres (estimate) | ~$150–$250 per tyre | ~50,000 km lifespan for a typical set of 4 |
| Depreciation | 10–20%/year | Higher for new cars; lower for older/used |
| Clean Car Discount | Ended 31 Dec 2024 | No government EV rebate currently available |