Ayvens Car Cost Index 2026: BEVs are becoming the most economical option for corporate fleets, including in Switzerland
Electric vehicles are increasingly becoming the most economical option for corporate fleets across Europe. However, the new Ayvens Car Cost Index 2026 also reveals that Switzerland remains one of the most expensive countries for vehicle leasing. At the same time, switching to electric vehicles is becoming more advantageous here as well, especially when companies consider total costs over several years.
Ayvens has published the second edition of its Car Cost Index, under its new brand. This annual Index is a comprehensive analysis of the total cost of owning and operating (TCO) a car, ranging from the sub-compact segment to larger premium car segments for Corporates, based on quotations made in Q4 2025 in 30 European countries. The Car Cost Index factors in the various costs involved in owning and operating a company car in each country, including depreciation, interest, repairs, maintenance, tyres, energy/fuel, tax (excluding VAT) and comprehensive insurance. The study spans car segments from subcompact models to large premium models, offering a comprehensive map for businesses navigating the transition to sustainable fleets.
Even though the European EV landscape continues to evolve under a complex mix of regulatory pressure, uneven market maturity, and infrastructure constraints, this year’s edition reveals a significant shift in the European mobility landscape. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are increasingly becoming the most economical lease option across more countries and vehicle segments than ever before.
Key findings from the 2026 Car Cost Index
In most of the Western and Northern European countries, leasing a battery electric car is typically cheaper than its petrol or diesel counterparts. This trend is now also gaining momentum in Southern Europe, where BEVs are becoming increasingly competitive against traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
In 2025, leasing a car was most expensive in Switzerland, while Portugal, Belgium and Romania are the cheapest countries for leasing a car, with costs below CHF 739 a month in all three countries.
Portugal and Belgium were the most affordable countries in Europe for driving a battery electric vehicle, with costs below CHF 595 a month.
Switzerland remains the most expensive country overall to lease a vehicle, regardless of the powertrain.
When compared with the TCO of ICE vehicles, BEVs now have a more competitive TCO rate in a growing number of segments in European countries. For example, in 66% of the surveyed countries (20 out of 30), a high-end BEV like the BMW i4 is already cheaper to run than its closest petrol equivalent.
Switzerland: Highest leasing costs in Europe – yet electrification makes economic sense
For Swiss companies, the picture is clear: in 2025, Switzerland ranked among the most expensive European countries for corporate vehicle leasing, regardless of the provider. Higher costs for vehicles, energy, and taxes push average total operating costs well above the European average. Nevertheless, the index reveals that battery electric vehicles are increasingly competitive with petrol and diesel models even in this costly market, and in some segments, they already represent the more cost-effective option.
“With the market shifting quickly, Ayvens’ Car Cost Index was created to help our clients make informed decisions when choosing their fleet vehicles,” says Antonio Arcaro, Commercial Director at Ayvens Switzerland. “For companies in Switzerland, looking at total costs over four years is crucial: focusing on the monthly lease rate alone often leads to the wrong conclusion — because once you factor in energy, maintenance, and taxes, the electric vehicle that seems expensive on day one frequently becomes the most economical choice over the entire lifecycle.”
Note to editors:
- The 30 countries included in the Car Cost Index are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.
- The data is based on Ayvens’ TCO quotes from Q4 2025.
- In the 2026 Index, in the 2026 Index, TCOs are averaged based on 4 years duration and an annual mileage of 30.000 km.
- ‘Cost competitive’ is defined for the purpose of the Index as BEVs which are no more than 5% more expensive than the most comparable ICE vehicle.
- TCO includes depreciation, interest, repairs, maintenance, tyres, energy/fuel, taxes/incentives (excluding VAT), and comprehensive insurance.
- The BMW i4 (BEV) has a lower TCO compared to the BMW series 3 (petrol) in 20 EU countries out of 30.
Analysis from the second edition of Ayvens’ Car Cost Index reveals a significant shift in the European mobility landscape: battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are increasingly becoming the most economical lease option across more countries and vehicle segments than ever before.
The 2026 Car Cost Index provides a granular look at the total cost of owning and operating a corporate car (TCO) across 30 European countries. The study spans everything from sub-compact models to large premium vehicles, offering a comprehensive map for businesses navigating the transition to sustainable fleets.
To ensure a fair and reliable comparison, the data is based on a standard four-year operational lease for corporate clients with an annual mileage of 30,000 km. The analysis utilizes lease quotes from Q4 2025 and calculates the average monthly costs by including all critical TCO components: depreciation, interest, repairs, maintenance, tyres, energy/fuel, taxes/incentives (excluding VAT), and comprehensive insurance.
Electric momentum across Europe
The findings confirm that BEVs have moved beyond a niche choice to become a dominant cost-competitor. In Western and Northern European countries, leasing a battery electric car is typically cheaper than its petrol or diesel counterparts. This trend is now also gaining momentum in Southern Europe, where BEVs are becoming increasingly competitive against traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
In the sub-compact car segment, the shift is "slow but sure," with BEVs now proving to be cost-competitive in 17 out of the 30 countries analysed. A standout example of this transition is seen in the premium segment: the battery-electric BMW i4 now boasts a lower TCO than the petrol-powered BMW 3 Series in 20 out of 30 European countries.
Key findings from the 2026 Car Cost Index
Leasing a car was most expensive in Switzerland and cheapest in Portugal, Belgium & Romania.
BEV Competitiveness: In 66% of the surveyed countries (20 out of 30), a high-end BEV like the BMW i4 is already cheaper to run than its closest petrol equivalent.
Portugal and Belgium were the most affordable countries in Europe for driving a battery electric vehicle.
Switzerland remains the most expensive country overall to lease a vehicle, regardless of the powertrain.
What can fleet managers learn?
- TCO is the only metric that matters: Looking at the monthly lease rate alone doesn't tell the full story. By factoring in energy, maintenance, and taxes, the "expensive" electric car often becomes the cheaper choice over a four-year term.
- Geography dictates strategy: While Northern and Western Europe are the leaders in BEV affordability, the gap is closing in the South. Managers should review their policies in countries like Portugal and Spain, where the financial case for EVs is now very strong.
- Segment-specific transitions: Small cars are becoming electric-ready, but the premium segment is where the most immediate savings are found. Prioritizing the electrification of mid-to-high-end vehicles may yield the fastest ROI.
- Future-proof your fleet: The data is based on the latest Q4 2025 quotes, reflecting a market that is rapidly adjusting to new regulations and infrastructure improvements. Staying updated with the annual Car Cost Index ensures your fleet remains both cost-efficient and compliant with sustainability goals.
