With a TCO tool (Total Cost of Ownership), taxi drivers can compare the overall lifetime costs of fuel-powered taxis versus electric taxis. CE Delft has developed such a TCO tool in Excel for the Municipality of Amsterdam. The Excel file can be downloaded under the ‘Documents’ section and is intended for use with Microsoft Excel. The tool takes into account various factors, such as how many years a driver expects to use the vehicle, how many kilometres it covers annually, and where it is charged. The cost calculations are specific to driving and charging in Amsterdam.
Our study shows that electric taxis are often cheaper than their fuel-powered counterparts when comparing vehicles of the same purchase value, age, and size. For example, second-hand electric taxis in the mid-range segment are generally more cost-effective over their lifetime than fuel-powered taxis in the same segment. However, new electric taxis are often more expensive over their lifetime than second-hand fuel-powered taxis, mainly due to significantly higher purchase costs. This comparison is important, as in some segments there are still few or no electric models available.
We also analysed how factors such as annual mileage, purchase price, charging costs, and vehicle lifespan affect the total cost of taxis. In many scenarios, electric taxis continue to offer cost advantages, although these advantages may decrease under certain conditions. High charging prices, particularly from frequent use of rapid charging, have the greatest impact on the cost of electric taxis. If average charging costs are high, electric taxis may no longer be cheaper than fuel-powered alternatives.
To determine the total cost of ownership (TCO) for various types of taxis, we developed a TCO tool based on our proprietary model ‘COSTREAM’. This CE Delft model calculates the TCO for different types of passenger cars. The model combines vehicle characteristics—such as sales prices—with usage data to calculate total lifetime costs. The methodology used to develop the TCO tool for taxis is explained in the accompanying report.