The question of what an electric car really costs is being asked more than ever right now. The surge in fuel prices since early 2026, with diesel up by almost 30% and petrol up by almost 20%, has clearly reshuffled the cards. For many Belgian drivers, the question is no longer “is electric an option?” but “is it really cheaper for me, in my situation, in my region?”
And that is where Belgium gets interesting, because the answer is not the same whether you live in Ghent, Wavre or Brussels.
The starting point: running costs really are lower
On fuel versus electricity, the calculation is fairly simple. Over 15,000 km a year, a petrol car spends about €1,800 on fuel at current prices. An electric car charged mainly at home during off-peak hours comes to around €810. That is more than €1,000 saved each year on energy alone. And that is before the recent rise in pump prices, which widens the gap further.
Then there is maintenance. An electric motor has no timing belt, no oil filter, no clutch, no catalytic converter. On average, an electric car costs half as much to maintain as a combustion-engine car over the same lifespan. And the technical inspection is slightly cheaper too, as there is no emissions test.
€810: annual energy cost for 15,000 km in an electric car (home charging)
€1,838: annual fuel cost for 15,000 km in a petrol car at 2026 prices
4 to 5 years: average tipping point at which electric becomes cheaper overall than petrol
But this is where it gets complicated: running costs are only part of the calculation. You also have to factor in the purchase price, regional taxes and the way you charge. And on these three points, Belgium is one of the most varied countries in Europe.
The big regional divide: why everything depends on where you live
Belgium has three regions with three different car tax systems. This matters: for the same electric car, the taxes due at registration and every year can vary by a factor of three depending on whether you live in Flanders, Wallonia or Brussels.
Flanders: flat-rate registration tax (TMC) of €61.50 since 2026 (previously exempt). Annual road tax set at around €102.96. Still by far the most favourable region, with very low total taxes compared with an equivalent combustion-engine car.
Brussels: TMC capped at €74.29. Annual road tax of around €92.93. A simple, favourable flat-rate system, but less generous than before 2026.
Wallonia: Since the July 2025 reform, electric cars no longer automatically pay the minimum. The TMC is calculated with a formula that takes into account the power AND the weight of the vehicle. A heavy electric SUV can therefore pay far more than under the old exemption. That is where it hurts for many.
This Walloon change of July 2025 is probably the least known among drivers in the region, yet it has the biggest impact on the calculation. Before the reform, an electric car in Wallonia always paid the minimum amount of tax. Since then, heavier or more powerful vehicles (many electric cars fall into this category, notably SUVs and family cars) can end up with considerably higher taxes than expected.
⚠️ A concrete example for a Walloon resident: an electric Peugeot e-3008 weighing 2,200 kg with 210 kW can face a TMC of several hundred euros in Wallonia since the 2025 reform, whereas the same car would have paid the legal minimum a year earlier. Always check the exact calculation on the SPW simulator before buying.
Charging: the factor that tips the calculation one way or the other
If you have private parking and can install a home charger, overnight off-peak charging costs between €0.20 and €0.30/kWh depending on your contract. That is when the €810 a year for 15,000 km is realistic.
If you live in a flat, have no parking and depend on public charging points, the reality is very different. Public fast chargers charge between €0.45 and €0.59/kWh. At that rate, the annual energy bill for 15,000 km climbs to €1,350 to €1,800, which wipes out much of the advantage over petrol. The good news is that Belgium passed the mark of 100,000 public charging points in August 2025. The bad news is that they are not spread evenly across the country, and Wallonia remains less well equipped than Flanders.
💡 The calculation that changes everything: if you can charge for free at work or in partner car parks, the annual energy cost can fall to almost zero. Several companies in Walloon Brabant offer free charging points to their employees. If that applies to you, the economic case for electric becomes almost unbeatable.
The purchase price and the break-even point
The main obstacle remains the purchase price. An electric car costs on average €5,000 to €8,000 more to buy than an equivalent combustion-engine car. The tipping point, meaning the moment when the cumulative savings on energy and maintenance make up for that initial gap, generally comes after 4 to 5 years of ownership, with about 15,000 km a year and mostly home charging.
If you keep your car for less than 4 years, or charge mainly at public charging points, or drive few kilometres, the economic advantage of electric shrinks significantly. That is why you cannot say in general terms that “electric is cheaper than petrol”: it all depends on how you use the car.
What is true, however, is that the recent rise in fuel prices has brought that tipping point forward. With petrol at €1.85 a litre in April 2026, drivers who were thinking “two more years with a combustion engine and then I switch” are finding themselves switching sooner than planned.
The comparison by profile in Belgium in 2026
| Profile | Is electric really cheaper? |
|---|---|
| Flanders resident, private parking, 15,000 km/year, keeps the car 5 years | Yes, clearly. Low taxes, home charging, lower maintenance. |
| Wallonia resident, detached house, electric SUV, similar use | Maybe, depending on the model. The 2025 Walloon tax reform can change the calculation. |
| Brussels resident, flat, public charging only | Difficult. The cost of public charging reduces the energy advantage. |
| Walloon Brabant, commuter to Brussels, home + work charging | Often yes, especially with the Brussels LEZ in the background. And significant fuel savings. |
| Private buyer on a limited budget, used electric car | Worth considering if the battery is in good condition, but check it before buying with an SoH diagnosis. |
| Self-employed, company car, purchase in 2026 | Yes, definitely. 100% tax deductibility this year, the last year at that level. |
Used electric: a third option that is often overlooked
There is an angle that many Belgian drivers have not yet fully taken on board: the used electric car market is starting to grow seriously. The first professional lease fleets are reaching the second-hand market with batteries still in excellent condition, complete service histories recorded in the Car-Pass, and prices that have fallen to €15,000 to €20,000 for models 3 to 4 years old.
At that price level, the initial gap with an equivalent used combustion-engine car shrinks to €2,000 to €3,000, and the tipping point falls to 2 to 3 years. It is a window that interests more and more drivers in Walloon Brabant, especially those who travel regularly to Brussels and are affected by the LEZ.
“A used electric car is probably the best cost-to-risk ratio today for a Belgian private buyer who is hesitating to make the switch. The entry price is much less painful, and the fuel saving is immediate.” Le Garage Privé, car agent in Wavre
Electric or combustion engine: we help you run the right numbers for your situation
At Garage Privé in Wavre, this question comes up very often. Our answer is always the same: it depends on you. Not on national statistics, not on political rhetoric. On your actual use, your region, the way you can charge, and your budget.
- Tailored total cost of ownership (TCO) calculation based on your driving profile
- Electric/hybrid/combustion comparison based on your region and the taxes that apply to you
- LEZ compliance check for any used vehicle you are considering
- For a used electric car, a battery state of health (SoH) diagnosis before purchase
- Vehicle search, inspection and negotiation with no conflict of interest
👉 Book an appointment with Le Garage Privé
FAQ
On running costs (energy + maintenance), yes, clearly. On total cost including purchase, it depends on the profile. In Flanders, with private parking and home charging, the tipping point is around 4 to 5 years. In Wallonia, the July 2025 car tax reform has changed the calculation for heavy vehicles. In all cases, the recent surge in fuel prices in 2026 has shortened the payback period.
Since the regional reform of July 2025, Wallonia no longer automatically caps taxes on electric cars at the minimum amount. The TMC is now calculated with a formula that takes into account the power and weight of the vehicle. In practice, light electric city cars remain lightly taxed, but heavier electric SUVs and family cars can see their bill rise significantly. It is an important change that many Walloon buyers have not yet taken on board.
At home during off-peak hours, allow €0.20 to €0.30/kWh, or about €810 for 15,000 km a year. At a public fast charger, the rate rises to €0.45 to €0.59/kWh, which can reach €1,350 to €1,800 a year for the same mileage. The difference is very significant and radically changes the payback calculation, especially for drivers living in a flat with no way to charge at home.
For a private buyer, a used electric car is increasingly attractive. The first vehicles from professional lease fleets are reaching the market with batteries still in good condition and prices around €15,000 to €20,000. Provided you have the battery state of health (SoH) checked before purchase, it is often the best cost-to-risk ratio. For a professional, buying new in 2026 remains advantageous because of the 100% tax deductibility, which will decrease from 2027.