Use the calculator as a starting point
It shows whether lower EV energy costs can make up the purchase-price gap. It cannot account for your insurance, finance contract or the cars’ future resale values.
What to check for your charging situation
Mostly at home
This is usually the lowest-cost way to charge an EV. Before budgeting for new equipment, check whether you actually need a home wallbox.
A home and public mix
The result depends on your tariff and how often you pay public rates. Work out the cost of your charging mix rather than relying on the planning defaults.
Mostly public charging
Do not assume the EV will be cheaper to run. First check whether reliable lower-cost charging is available somewhere you already park.
Costs to check before comparing the total
| Cost still missing | What to collect | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance | Quotes for both exact variants, using the same drivers and address. | A model-specific premium can outweigh modest energy savings. |
| Servicing and tyres | Written service schedules and current capped-price or itemised costs for each exact variant, plus prices for tyres in the fitted sizes. | EV servicing can be cheaper, but costs and intervals vary by model and brand. Distance to an authorised repairer and parts availability can also add time or transport costs. |
| Finance | Quotes with the same deposit, term and comparison rate, including all fees. | Interest on a higher purchase price is part of ownership cost. |
| Home charging | A quote for your property from a licensed electrician, if you need new equipment. | A wallbox is not compulsory for every driver, but any required work is an upfront EV cost. |
| Resale value | A conservative range rather than a single forecast. | Depreciation is often larger than the energy bill and cannot be known five years ahead. |
Before shortlisting an unfamiliar manufacturer, use the brand-support checks in the EV specs guide to assess its Australian service network, parts supply, roadside assistance and warranty responsibility.
Why compare these two cars?
The 2026 Kia EV5 Air Standard Range and Kia Sportage Hybrid S FWD are both five-seat medium SUVs from the same manufacturer, use entry-level two-wheel-drive configurations and have current drive-away estimates only $5,500 apart. This reduces differences caused by brand positioning and vehicle size. It does not make their equipment, performance or real-world suitability identical.
Cost is only one filter. If neither model suits your passenger, cargo, regional or towing needs, start with the EV requirements that match your life before comparing prices.
Common cost questions
Why not estimate a complete five-year ownership total?
Because some of the biggest costs are personal or cannot be predicted reliably. Insurance depends on the drivers and address, finance depends on the contract, and resale value is a forecast. Using made-up defaults for all three would make the total look more certain than it is.
Does mostly home charging mean every charge happens at home?
No. This guide defines it as 80% of electricity at home and 20% from public chargers. The mixed option is 50% home and 50% public; the mostly-public option uses the public rate for all charging. These are simple scenarios, not Australian averages.
Do I need to add a replacement battery?
Do not automatically add a full battery replacement to a five-year new-car comparison. Check the exact battery warranty and the vehicle’s condition. Battery health matters more when comparing an older used EV outside warranty.
Assumptions and sources
Vehicles and official figures:
- Kia Australia: EV5 offer — EV5 Air Standard Range estimated drive-away price of $49,990. The offer displayed when checked was valid to 31 July 2026 and may vary with location and buyer circumstances.
- Kia Australia: 2026 EV5 specification — Air Standard Range combined energy consumption of 182 Wh/km, shown here as 18.2 kWh/100 km.
- Kia Australia: Sportage Hybrid offer — Sportage Hybrid S FWD estimated drive-away price of $44,490. The offer displayed when checked was valid to 31 July 2026 and may vary with location and buyer circumstances.
- Kia Australia: hybrid range — Sportage Hybrid FWD combined fuel consumption of 4.9 L/100 km.
ChooseEV calculation: EV electricity uses annual distance ÷ 100 × 20 kWh/100 km from the plug × the selected electricity price. The rounded 20 kWh figure adds about 10% charging losses to Kia’s official 18.2 kWh/100 km vehicle figure. Hybrid fuel uses annual distance ÷ 100 × 4.9 L/100 km × $1.90/L. The subtotal adds five years of energy or fuel to the current estimated drive-away price. “Mostly at home” means 80% at 30 c/kWh and 20% at 60 c/kWh; “a mix” means 50% at each rate; “mostly public” means 100% at 60 c/kWh. Use the charging-cost guide for household-specific rates.
Official combined figures are comparison figures, not promises. Weather, speed, traffic, load, driving style, charging losses, tariffs, memberships and parking or idle fees can change the result. The comparison excludes insurance, servicing, tyres, registration after the first year, finance, charging equipment, tax effects, repairs and resale value. Sources and assumptions reviewed 16 July 2026.