TCO Calculator
Estimate the total cost of ownership when switching a van fleet from diesel to electric. Adjust mileage, electricity costs, fleet size and grant eligibility to compare costs using your chosen assumptions.
TCO Calculator
Electric vs diesel - total cost of ownership
Your fleet details
Blended rate: 21.6p/kWh
Over 5 years
Assumptions and what is not included
- VED: electric and diesel vans pay the same flat Light Goods Vehicle rate (£360 a year), so there is no saving for the EV here.
- Congestion Charge: the Cleaner Vehicle Discount ended on 25 December 2025. Since 2 January 2026 the charge is £18/day; electric vans registered for Auto Pay get 50% off. Not modelled.
- Grant: The Plug-in Van and Truck Grant runs until at least April 2027; 2026/27 grant levels have not yet been announced.
- Capital allowance: the year-1 figure shows the gain from claiming 100% First Year Allowance on a new zero-emission van versus the 18% writing down allowance on a diesel. It assumes the business is profitable enough to absorb the relief in year 1.
- Maintenance: 15% assumption is based on typical fleet operator data; real numbers vary by usage.
- Excludes: depreciation, charging infrastructure capex, financing interest, downtime, and any in-house workshop costs.
About this calculator
Fuel savings are calculated from your electricity and diesel prices against the vehicle energy consumption figures you enter.
Maintenance savings assume EVs cost ~15% less to maintain than diesel vans (no oil changes, less brake wear, fewer moving parts). This is a conservative estimate - real savings vary.
The Plug-in Van and Truck Grant reduces the upfront cost of qualifying new zero-emission vehicles, by gross vehicle weight: vans under 2.5t up to £2,500 and 2.5-4.25t up to £5,000 (both capped at 35% of the price); trucks 4.25-12t up to £15,000 (20%), and heavier trucks up to £37,000-£81,000 (40%). The calculator picks the band from the vehicle's GVW. The Plug-in Van and Truck Grant runs until at least April 2027; 2026/27 grant levels have not yet been announced. Check gov.uk for current eligibility.
Figures are estimates for planning purposes only. Verify costs with manufacturers, leasing companies, and your energy supplier before making procurement decisions.