How does the cost of charging an electric motorbike compare to refuelling a petrol motorbike?

Key Takeaway: Charging an electric motorbike such as the Savic C-Series costs approximately $2.43 per 100KM, compared to $9.80 per 100 km to fill up a comparable petrol motorbike such as the Yamaha MT-09.  

Based on these assumptions and calculations, it is over 4x cheaper to commute on an electric motorbike, saving regular riders potentially $360-$1,470 per year depending on your daily mileage.

We've Done the Math - EV Motorbike Charging vs Petrol Motorbike filling up

The cost of living crunch is real. Everything is getting more expensive, from groceries and utilities to your daily cup of coffee. Unfortunately, the price of petrol is feeling the inflation crunch as well.

EV Motorbikes such as the Savic C-Series offer a cost-effective solution to commuting costs, particularly for riders who travel regularly and can charge at home or in between Point A to B.

But just exactly how much cheaper is charging an electric motorbike compared with filling a petrol motorcycle?

We’ve done the math, using a Savic C-Series and one of the most popular ICE street motorbikes in Australia, the Yamaha MT-09, as an example.

How much petrol does a commute motorcycle cost per 100KM?

The Savic C-Series has a 16.2 kWh battery, with a range of 220KM on a full charge.  

For a simple comparison, we’ve applied the 220KM range and allowed for an additional 10% of electricity lost during charging. 

This gives a rough wall-to-wheel consumption of approximately 8.1 kWh per 100KM.

Based on the average cost of electricity in Melbourne of 30c per kWh (Source: Solarcalculator.com.au), the estimated charging cost is:

* IMPORTANT TO NOTE HERE: This calculation is based on a household electricity supply. Electricity prices vary between states, retailers and tariffs. Homes with rooftop solar or an off-peak electricity plan may pay less

How much does it cost to fill up a petrol motorcycle per 100KM?

For comparison, the Yamaha MT-09 has a claimed fuel consumption of approximately 4.9 litres per 100KM, with a 14 litre fuel tank. (Source: Yamaha Australia)

Using an average fuel price of $2.00 in Melbourne as of 11 August 2026 (source: PetrolSpy), the estimated fuel cost works out to be: 

We’ve used the Yamaha MT-09 as a general comparison, as a full-sized road motorcycle designed for everyday commuting. 

* IMPORTANT TO NOTE HERE: Petrol consumption increases with hard acceleration, high-speed riding, heavy traffic, hills, luggage and passenger weight, just as these conditions would also affect a real-world range of an electric motorcycle.

What is the cost difference between charging an EV motorbike and filling up an ICE motorbike?

Based on these assumptions and calculations, it is over 4x cheaper to commute on a Savic C-Series at $2.43/100KM, compared to $9.80/100KM for the Yamaha MT-09.

With an estimated cost saving of $7.37/100KM in favour of an electric motorbike, these savings are significant over time.

NB: These figures cover specifically charge/fill-up costs ONLY. 

For a daily rider travelling 10,000KM per year, the difference could amount to approximately $737 back in your pocket in cost savings under these assumptions.

 These numbers will change as electricity and petrol prices change, however, the gap between home charging and petrol fuel will remain significant for regular riders.

Calculating the Costs for Yourself

The best way to estimate your own savings is to replace the example figures with your actual costs:

• Calculate how many kilometres you travel each month.
• Multiply your EV motorbike’s estimated consumption by your provider's electricity rate.
• Calculate how many litres of petrol your current motorcycle uses.
• Multiply that fuel use by the petrol price.
• Compare the annual energy costs.

Add servicing, maintenance and repair costs to the equation.

The Bottom Line

For regular commuting, charging an EV motorbike at home can cost substantially less than filling up a petrol bike. Using the example figures above, the Savic C-Series costs approximately $2.43 per 100 km to charge, compared with $9.80 in petrol for a Yamaha MT-09 travelling the same distance.

That doesn’t make every EV motorbike cheaper to run; however, it does show why charging costs are such an important part of the ownership calculation.

The figures in this comparison are indicative only. Electricity prices, petrol prices, riding conditions, vehicle specifications and real-world consumption will vary. Confirm current pricing and specifications directly with the manufacturer, electricity retailer and motorcycle dealer before purchasing.

Considering a Savic C-Series?

The Savic C-Series has up to 220 kilometres of mixed city and highway range or approximately 130 kilometres when ridden at highway speeds in high-performance mode.

This gives it enough capacity for most daily commutes, urban riding and weekend routes while still delivering the performance of a full-sized motorcycle. Regenerative braking and customisable ride modes also allow riders to adjust how the bike responds and uses its available energy.

Every C-Series is built to order in Melbourne, starts from $29,990 plus on-road costs and can be charged from a compatible power outlet at home.

Download the C-Series brochure to explore its range, battery, charging options and performance specifications.

Discover More: DOWNLOAD THE C-SERIES BROCHURE