What does it cost to own an electric car in Denmark? — total cost of ownership 2026
Af Jonas Holm
An electric car typically costs more to buy than a comparable petrol or hybrid car. But what is the real total cost of ownership when you factor in cost per km, insurance, taxes and maintenance? Here is a concrete overview for the Danish market in 2026.
Cost per km: EVs win clearly
The average electric car uses 18-22 kWh per 100 km. With an average Danish electricity price of approx. DKK 2.50/kWh (home, night rate) that equals 45-55 øre per km. A petrol car doing 15 km/l at DKK 14/l costs approximately 93 øre per km by comparison — more than double.
Registration tax in 2026
Registration tax for electric cars remains lower than for petrol cars, but the base deduction has been reduced. A mid-range EV priced at DKK 350,000 can expect approx. DKK 40,000-60,000 in registration tax. A comparable petrol car typically triggers DKK 80,000-120,000. The gap is still significant, but smaller than three years ago.
Insurance and maintenance
Insurance premiums for EVs have dropped significantly over the past two years. Expect approximately 5-10% higher insurance than a comparable petrol car — primarily driven by the high repair costs of batteries and electronics. Maintenance is lower in return: no oil changes, less brake wear and generally fewer service intervals. The saving is typically DKK 2,000-4,000 per year.
When does an EV make the most financial sense?
The rule of thumb: if you drive more than 15,000 km per year and can charge at home overnight, an EV is almost always the best total economy over a 4-5 year ownership period. If you drive less than 8,000 km and live in an apartment without charging access, a plug-in hybrid or mild hybrid may offer better overall economics.
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