Electric vs Diesel TCO Calculator
Compare the total cost of ownership of a battery electric truck against a diesel equivalent over the full vehicle life. Select currency, truck type, and use case below. Default values are indicative only, kindly replace with current values from your region.
Disclaimer: Indicative planning tool only. Consult a qualified fleet finance specialist before making capital investment decisions.
Calculation context
Diesel truck
Typical 6×4 tractor-trailer combination
Operating profile
Finance
Operating costs
Electric truck
Battery electric equivalent
Operating profile
Finance
Operating costs
TCO Summary
Diesel TCO
R13.2M
R 15.74/km
Electric TCO
R9.8M
R 11.66/km
Electric saves R3.4M over the comparison period
Break-even at Year 2 — electric is cheaper from that point forward.
Cumulative cost over time
Total accumulated cost including purchase price and operating costs.
Year-by-year costs
Comparison runs for 7 years.
| Year | Diesel | Electric | Cumul. saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Y1 | R 1,832,728 | R 1,683,608 | R -50,880 |
| Y2 | R 1,899,760 | R 1,694,360 | +R 154,520 |
| Y3 | R 1,970,814 | R 1,705,327 | +R 420,007 |
| Y4 | R 2,046,131 | R 1,716,514 | +R 749,624 |
| Y5 | R 2,125,967 | R 1,727,924 | +R 1,147,668 |
| Y6 | R 1,682,066 | R 730,554 | +R 2,099,180 |
| Y7(D)(E) | R 1,771,770 | R 742,425 | +R 3,128,524 |
Ready to run a real-world pilot?
TAG works with fleet operators across Africa to design structured electric truck pilots — from vehicle selection and route analysis to charging infrastructure and driver training. Turn this model into a funded business case.
Talk to TAG about a pilot →Ready to explore electric truck deployment for your fleet? TAG can help you build a business case, identify pilot opportunities, and connect with the right ecosystem partners.
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