Car cost per km or mile.

Worked example

You pay $32,000 and expect to sell for $16,000 after 5 years, so depreciation is $16,000. You drive 15,000 km a year at 8 L/100 km and $1.60 a litre: fuel is 15,000 / 100 x 8 x 1.60 = $1,920 a year. Add $3,500 of loan interest, $1,800 insurance, $150 registration, $600 parking and other, and $900 maintenance a year. Fixed costs are $32,250, running costs $14,100, total $46,350 over 75,000 km. That is $9,270 a year, $773 a month and $0.618 per km.

How it works

Depreciation = purchase price - resale value. Fuel per year = distance / 100 x litres per 100 km x price per litre (kilometres), or distance / mpg x price per gallon (miles). Fixed costs = depreciation + loan interest + (insurance + registration + parking and other) x years. Running costs = (maintenance + fuel) x years. Total = fixed + running. Cost per distance = total / (distance per year x years).

The result depends heavily on the resale value and how long you keep the car, both estimates. Costs that vary with use, such as tires or tolls, can go in maintenance or other. The result is a budgeting view of what a car costs you, not a market average, and not a tax deduction figure; for the Canadian per-km allowance see the CRA mileage tool.

Everything above is arithmetic on the numbers you type. No prices, rates or values are assumed or looked up, and no outside figures are used.

Not financial advice. This is a planning estimate from the numbers you type. Taxes, fees, insurance and lender or lessor terms vary; confirm every figure against your contract or written quote.

FAQ

How do I calculate the cost per km of my car?

Add up everything it costs over the years you own it (depreciation, loan interest, insurance, registration, parking, maintenance and fuel) and divide by the distance you drive in that time. The calculator does the sums.

What costs should I include?

Depreciation (price minus resale), finance interest, insurance, registration, parking, maintenance and repairs, and fuel. Add tolls or tires under maintenance or other if they matter to you.

Is depreciation really a cost if I do not sell the car?

Yes, as the value you lose. If you keep the car until it is worth almost nothing, set a low resale value. The estimate drives the answer, so try a few values.

Can I use this for an EV?

Yes, as long as you enter fuel use and price in matching units. For an EV, enter kWh per 100 km (kilometres) or miles per kWh (miles) as the fuel use, and your price per kWh as the fuel price. The EV charging cost tool can help with the energy figures.

Is this the same as the tax mileage rate?

No. Tax authorities set mileage or per-km rates for deduction and reimbursement purposes. This tool shows your own cost from your own numbers.