Car Cost Index 2026: Portugal leads 30 European countries in the mobility sector
Portugal is the most affordable country in Europe for vehicle leasing and for driving a battery electric vehicle (BEV), according to the Car Cost Index 2026 published by Ayvens. The study, which analyses the total cost of ownership (TCO) of corporate fleets across 30 European countries, confirms the growing competitiveness of BEVs compared with traditional powertrains across several market segments.
Portugal is the most affordable country in Europe to lease a vehicle and to drive a battery electric vehicle (BEV), according to the Car Cost Index 2026 published by Ayvens. The study, which analyses the total cost of ownership (TCO) of corporate fleets across 30 European countries, confirms the growing competitiveness of BEVs compared with traditional powertrains across several market segments.
According to the study, the average monthly TCO for vehicle leasing in Portugal is €774, the lowest value among all the countries analysed. Portugal also stands out as the most affordable European market for driving a battery electric vehicle, with an average TCO of 626 euros per month, ranking ahead of countries such as Belgium and significantly below several Western European markets.
The results also show that electric vehicles are becoming progressively more competitive in cost terms compared with internal combustion engine vehicles across several automotive segments. In the subcompact (small car) segment, the average monthly TCO of an internal combustion engine vehicle in Portugal is 702 euros, while an equivalent electric vehicle records an average TCO of 537 euros, making it the most economical option.
The same trend is observed in the compact (small family car) segment, one of the most relevant for corporate fleets. In Portugal, fully electric vehicles show the most competitive TCO, averaging 635 euros, followed by plug‑in hybrids (804 euros) and petrol vehicles (1,036). In the midsize segment, electric vehicles once again register the most competitive TCO, with an average value of 686 euros, followed by hybrids (986 euros) and petrol vehicles (1,097 euros).
This trend is also evident at a European level. In most Western and Northern European countries, leasing a battery electric vehicle is already frequently cheaper than leasing petrol or diesel vehicles, a dynamic that is also beginning to gain momentum in Southern Europe. The study further indicates that in 66% of the countries analysed (20 out of 30), a premium electric vehicle such as the BMW i4 already has a lower TCO than an equivalent petrol model, such as the BMW 3 Series. In contrast, Switzerland remains the most expensive country in Europe for vehicle leasing, regardless of powertrain type.
With the market undergoing disruption, the Car Cost Index was created to help our clients make informed decisions when choosing vehicles for their fleets. What this year’s study clearly shows is that TCO is the key indicator to consider in our clients’ decision‑making. Looking solely at the leasing monthly payment often leads to incorrect conclusions, because when energy and taxes are taken into account, the electric vehicle, which may appear more expensive in terms of rental, often becomes the most economical choice over a four‑year cycle
The Car Cost Index 2026 provides a comprehensive analysis of the TCO of business vehicles, covering segments from subcompacts to large premium cars. The study considers the main costs associated with vehicle ownership and use in each country, including depreciation, interest, repairs, maintenance, tyres, energy or fuel, taxes (excluding VAT) and comprehensive insurance.
The 2026 edition considers a four‑year usage period, with an annual mileage of 30,000 kilometres. For the purposes of the analysis, an electric vehicle is considered cost‑competitive when its TCO is equal to or up to 5% higher than that of a comparable internal combustion engine vehicle.
The study analyses the total cost of ownership of corporate vehicles in 30 European countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, 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.
