When it’s worth getting an electric car: is now the right time to switch?

• Higher cost up front, low operating costs: electric cars are expensive to buy in Switzerland, but are often cheaper in the long term thanks to lower consumption costs and government subsidies.
• Kinder to the environment: thanks to their efficient technology, electric cars have a lower environmental footprint despite having complex production processes.
• Maintenance and value: the maintenance costs of electric cars are comparatively low, but there is still room for improvement when it comes to value retention.
• Future-proof: electric vehicles are the future. The sooner you familiarise yourself with it, the better prepared you will be.

The fact is that electric cars are still more expensive than comparable combustion engines. There are several reasons for this. One of the main reasons for the higher prices is the raw materials required for the complex car battery. There is currently high demand for these, which makes the entire e-car market dependent on suppliers and the associated price fluctuations.

There is currently no national funding programme in Switzerland. At the municipal level, however, there are a large number of support services relating to electromobility. You can find out whether you can benefit from the support in the region by consulting amap compiled by the federal government. Some cantons also subsidise electric cars with a tax bonus on vehicle tax. Vehicle taxes and bonuses can be viewed on the following map:

But let’s get straight to the really good news: once you’ve wrapped your head around the higher purchase price, you’ll soon see how much more efficient an electric car is compared to a petrol engine. If you drive a lot, you’ll save a lot too.

A cost comparison per 100 kilometres illustrates this efficiency. The calculation is based on surveys carried out by the Federal Government and the diesel and petrol prices compiled by TCS.

• Petrol engines: in 2023, conventional petrol cars consumed an average of 6.7 litres per 100 kilometres. At a petrol price of around CHF 1.86 , that results in costs of CHF 12.50 per 100 kilometres.
• Diesel: although this fuel is slightly more expensive than petrol, it is more efficient. A diesel vehicle needs around 6.28 litres to drive 100 kilometres. At a price of CHF 1.92 per litre, that amounts to around CHF 12.05 per 100 kilometres.
• Electric vehicles: in 2023, the average electricity consumption of all-electric vehicles was 18 kilowatt hours per 100 kilometres. Currently, a kilowatt hour costs 32.14 centimes. This translates to a cost of CHF 5.78 per 100 kilometres. The fuel tax, which is part of what you pay every time you refuel, is also waived for electric cars.

And from a purely energy-related perspective, electric drive systems are also on top. You can find out more about this in our article «Efficiency: electric cars are much more efficient», where we explain how electric cars, petrol/diesel cars and fuel cell vehicles compare. 

If you’ve ever taken a look under the hood of an electric car, you’ve probably noticed something particular at first glance. It contains far fewer moving parts than an internal combustion engine. This fact is usually reflected in significantly lower maintenance costs, since there are fewer parts to fall victim to wear and tear. Routine tasks such as changing the oil are also eliminated in electric cars.

But there’s also the fact that repairs on electric cars can quickly pay for themselves. In our article «Electric cars in the heat: how to keep cool and keep your battery efficient», you’ll find out why you should take extra care of your e-car at the height of summer.

It’s also important to adapt your driving style to an electric car. You can save on repair costs by anticipating your next moves and driving smoothly to conserve the battery and electronics, while also saving on repair costs. This also significantly increases your range. For more tips on using an electric car, check out our article «Driving an electric car: tips for a successful first journey».

Which fuel type performs best in terms of the environment? Similar to the purchase costs, the decisive factor here is whether you think short-term or long-term. It’s true that the production of batteries for electric cars is very resource- and energy-intensive. The mining and transportation of the required materials such as lithium and cobalt also have social and environmental impacts.

Nevertheless, it’s a myth that electric cars have a higher carbon footprint than a combustion engine. According to Naturschutz.ch, depending on the vehicle type, an electric car requires a mileage of between 26,000 and 80,000 kilometres to perform better than a vehicle with an internal combustion engine in terms of its life cycle assessment. In figures: after four years on average, an electric car should be have a better carbon footprint than a combustion engine.

Currently, most electric car owners charge their vehicle at home or at work. However, the network of «electric charging stations» is constantly being expanded. An interactive map from EnergieSchweiz, the Swiss Federal Office of Energy and Swisstopo provides an overview of where electric vehicles can be charged outside the home anywhere in Switzerland:

At the moment, electric cars still lose a little more of their value than combustion-engine cars. However, mobility experts believe that this will soon change as electric cars become more popular. The most important factor in a used e-car is the battery. The lower the capacity loss, the higher the value of the vehicle. Find out how to determine this value and what you can do topreserve the value of your electric car as much as possible.

Last but not least: The decision «electric or not» depends on your personal experience or level of knowledge. Are you already familiar with electric cars? Or have you been reluctant to get into an electric car until now? It’s a fact that the proof of the pudding is in the eating, because «a personal sense of achievement is the key to success», says an experienced consultant from the mobility sector.

Did you know? Mobility has over 600 e-vehicles available to you throughout Switzerland – from economical city runabouts and practical vans to stylish Teslas. Register and start driving, without monthly costs or an annual subscription.