Car Cost Index 2026
Better with every move.
Car Cost Index 2026
WelcometothesecondeditionofAyvens’CarCostIndex:ananalysisofthe totalcostofowningandoperatingacorporatecar(TCO) in30European countries,rangingfromthesub-compactsegmenttothelargerpremiumcar segments.
TheCarCostIndexfactorsinthevariouscostsinvolvedincarownershipin eachcountry,includingdepreciation,interest,repairs,maintenance,tyres, energy/fuel,tax(excludingVAT) andcomprehensiveinsurance.
Inthe2026 edition,costsareaveragedoverthefirstfouryearsofownership, assuming anannual mileageof30,000 kmandbasedonAyvens’leasequotes fromQ42025.
Key findings from the 2026 Car Cost Index
In2025,leasingacarwasmostexpensiveinSwitzerlandandcheapestinPortugal,Belgium& Romania
In2025,drivingabatteryelectricvehicle(BEV)wascheapestinPortugalandBelgium whileSwitzerlandremainsoneofthemostexpensivecountriestoleaseacar.
Leasingbatteryelectriccarsistypicallycheaperthanpetrolanddiesel modelsinWesternandNorthernEuropeancountries.InsomeSouthern Europeancountries,BEVgetsmorecompetitivethancombustionvehicles.
TheBMWi4(batteryelectricvehicle)hasalowertotalcostof ownership(TCO)comparedtotheBMWSeries3(petrol)in20 Europeancountriesoutof30.
2025, leasing a car* was most expensive in Switzerland and cheapest in Portugal & Belgium
In 2025, driving a battery electric vehicle (BEV) was cheapest in Portugal
& Belgium
Battery electric vehicles are slowly but surely becoming more cost competitive in the sub - compact car segment (17/30 countries)
Petrol
Example of models in segment
In the popular compact segment, full electric cars are more affordable in Western, Northern & Southern European countries ( 19/30 countries)
Example of models in segment
Mid - sized battery electric vehicles were cost competitive in Western, Southern and most Northern European countries (16/30 countries)
Battery electric vehicles are slowly but surely becoming more cost competitive in the sub - compact car segment
BEVs cost competitive: 17/30 countries
ABEVisdefinedas'costcompetitive'whenitsTCOiswithina5%marginof theTCOofanICEvehicle.
In the popular compact segment, full electric cars are more affordable in Western, Northern and Southern European countries
BEVs cost competitive: 19/30 countries
ABEVisdefinedas'costcompetitive'whenitsTCOiswithina5%marginoftheTCOof anICEvehicle.
Battery electric vehicles in the mid - sized segment (D & SUV - D) were cost competitive in Western, Southern and most Northern European countries
ABEVisdefinedas'costcompetitive'whenitsTCOiswithina5%marginoftheTCO ofanICEvehicle. BEVs cost competitive: 16/30 countries
Leasing a BMW i4 is more affordable than the BMW Series 3 in most European countries (20/30)
Appendix
Appendix: Segmentation
Volume cars (1)
Theletterindicatesthe dimensionsofthe vehicle; CbeingsmallerthanE.
Thenumberindicatesthe qualitylevelofabrand;
• 1being‘volumebrand’ • 2being‘premiumbrand’
Subcompact cars (B)
Compact cars (C)
Midsized cars (D)
Full - size cars (E)
Car models used in the 2026 Car Cost Index by segment
Average monthly costs (TCO) in the sub - compact (B & SUV B) segment
TCOincludes:depreciation,interest,repairs,tyres,fuel/energy,taxes/incentivesandinsurance
Average monthly costs (TCO) in the compact (C & SUV - C) segment
TCOincludes:depreciation,interest,repairs,tyres,fuel/energy,taxes/incentivesandinsurance
Average monthly costs (TCO) in the mid - sized (D & SUV -
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