TCO – Total Cost of Ownership

The concept of “Total Cost of Ownership” (TCO) applied to electric mobility refers to the analysis of the overall costs associated with the purchase, use, and maintenance of an electric vehicle (EV) over its lifecycle. Unlike considering only the initial purchase costs, TCO takes into account long-term financial aspects, including operational costs and economic benefits resulting from adopting an EV.

Key components considered in calculating TCO in electric mobility include:

• Purchase cost: This includes the initial purchase price of the electric vehicle, which is usually higher than that of an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle.
• Fuel/energy costs: EVs use electricity for charging, which is typically cheaper than gasoline or diesel. This can lead to significant savings over time, especially considering the unstable prices of fossil fuels.
• Maintenance costs: Electric vehicles require less maintenance compared to internal combustion vehicles because they have fewer mechanical components subject to wear and tear. This can result in significant long-term savings. On the other hand, EVs typically have more powerful torque and greater weight, leading to increased tire wear.
• Tax incentives: Various tax incentives exist to promote the adoption of electric vehicles, which can reduce the initial cost and influence TCO.
• Insurance: Insurance costs are often related to the list price, power, and weight of the vehicle, making it slightly higher for EVs.

Complessivamente, il calcolo accurato del TCO è essenziale per valutare l’economia complessiva dell’adozione di un veicolo elettrico rispetto a un veicolo a combustione interna. Sebbene gli EV possano avere costi iniziali più alti, i costi di manutenzione inferiori e i benefici ambientali possono renderli più vantaggiosi dal punto di vista finanziario nel corso del tempo.