Switching to an electric vehicle can save a taxi driver a significant amount of money under intense use. One example is a driver who covers about 87,000 km per year in a diesel car.
With average fuel consumption of 6.5 L/100 km and diesel at around €1.6 per liter, annual fuel costs come to roughly €10,000. Add in regular oil changes, filter replacements, exhaust aftertreatment maintenance, belt service, brake work, and other tasks. Including downtime at the shop and depreciation, the total yearly expense can reach €17,000–€18,000.
For an EV with consumption around 15 kWh/100 km, costs are much lower. Home charging yields an annual energy bill of about €1,300. Using fast public charging on a subscription plan runs about €4,800. A mixed scenario lands around €3,000 per year.
EV maintenance is also cheaper: no oil changes, fewer filters, no turbo, clutch, or the complex systems typical of internal combustion engines. Taking maintenance and depreciation into account, the savings for a taxi driver can approach €10,000 per year.
Still, some professional drivers are hesitant to switch. Concerns include range anxiety, charging time, lack of a private garage, and higher purchase price. For those choosing a vehicle for a small business, the key calculation shifts from upfront cost to total cost of ownership over the vehicle's entire life.
