Electric car or diesel – which is cheaper in Estonia?

Over 5 years the Škoda Octavia Combi TDI costs €1,357 less than the Škoda Elroq (€38,656 against €40,013).

Over 5 years the Tesla Model Y costs €20,099 less than the Škoda Kodiaq TDI (€33,554 against €53,653).

The biggest differences: energy (Škoda Elroq €4,423, Škoda Octavia Combi TDI €13,071), depreciation (Škoda Elroq €20,476, Škoda Octavia Combi TDI €16,111) and insurance (Škoda Elroq €4,610, Škoda Octavia Combi TDI €1,658).

The Škoda Elroq is cheaper than the Škoda Octavia Combi TDI from about 30,000 km a year.

The Tesla Model Y is cheaper than the Škoda Kodiaq TDI at any distance from 5,000 to 60,000 km a year.

Open this comparison in the calculator →

Assumptions: 20,000 km a year, 5 years, bought with cash, 80% of charging at home, fuel and electricity prices rising 5% a year; prices as of 8 October 2026. Every assumption can be changed in the calculator.

Total cost over 5 years at 20,000 km a year

Cost	Škoda Elroq Electric	Škoda Octavia Combi TDI Diesel	Tesla Model Y Electric	Škoda Kodiaq TDI Diesel
Purchase price	€48,050	€32,020	€40,990	€47,210
Depreciation	€20,476	€16,111	€13,937	€23,754
Interest and cost of capital	€3,559	€2,196	€3,276	€3,238
Energy	€4,423	€13,071	€5,013	€16,248
Preheating	€203	€280	€401	€280
Car tax and registration fee	€1,400	€1,060	€464	€3,503
Insurance	€4,610	€1,658	€4,264	€2,100
Service and inspection	€1,155	€2,455	€1,005	€2,455
Repair risk after warranty	€0	€0	€600	€0
Tyres	€2,888	€1,825	€3,294	€2,075
Other costs	€1,300	€0	€1,300	€0
Total cost	€40,013	€38,656	€33,554	€53,653
Per month on average	€667	€644	€559	€894
Cost per km	€0.40/km	€0.39/km	€0.34/km	€0.54/km
Value at the end	€27,574	€15,909	€27,053	€23,456

How mileage changes the answer

Total cost over 5 years at different yearly distances. The cheapest is in bold.

Distance per year	Škoda Elroq	Škoda Octavia Combi TDI	Tesla Model Y	Škoda Kodiaq TDI
10,000 km	€31,287	€28,547	€24,460	€40,282
20,000 km	€40,013	€38,656	€33,554	€53,653
30,000 km	€50,119	€50,154	€43,322	€68,411

Questions and answers

At what mileage does an electric car pay off against a diesel?

The Škoda Elroq is cheaper than the Škoda Octavia Combi TDI from about 30,000 km a year. The Tesla Model Y is cheaper than the Škoda Kodiaq TDI at any distance from 5,000 to 60,000 km a year. The more you drive, the more the electric car saves on energy.

What if I can’t charge at home?

Without home charging (90% at public AC posts, 10% at fast chargers) the totals are: Tesla Model Y €34,423, Škoda Octavia Combi TDI €38,656, Škoda Elroq €40,581 and Škoda Kodiaq TDI €53,653. Public charging costs roughly twice as much per kilowatt-hour as charging at home.

How much does winter add to an electric car’s cost?

In winter an EV uses 30% more energy by default and electricity costs more: charged at home, the Tesla Model Y drives 100 km for about €3.17 in summer and €5.14 in winter. On cold days it also uses electricity to warm the cabin and battery.

What is the car tax on an electric car and a diesel?

Annual tax and registration fee of a new car in 2026: Škoda Elroq €150 and €650, Škoda Octavia Combi TDI €59 and €765, Tesla Model Y €56 and €182 and Škoda Kodiaq TDI €310 and €1,955. The annual tax starts to fall from the car’s fifth year; the registration fee rises in 2028 and 2031.