Should I buy an electric car? Pros and cons (2026)
If you can charge at home or at work, an electric car makes sense for most drivers in Türkiye in 2026: ÖTV (special consumption tax) starts at 25%, MTV (motor vehicle tax) is a quarter, maintenance costs about half and home charging is clearly cheaper than petrol. If you cannot charge, often drive long distances or live in a very cold region, the advantage shrinks. In October 2026, 22% of new cars sold were electric.
By: Şarj Rehberim · Updated: · 6 min read
Short answer
If you can charge at home or at work and your daily driving does not exceed a few hundred kilometres, an electric car is worth buying for most drivers in Türkiye in 2026: the tax advantage is large, energy and maintenance costs are low and the charging network is growing fast.
If you have nowhere to charge and will do all your charging at public fast chargers, if you often drive long distances, or if you live in a very cold province such as Erzurum or Kars, the advantages shrink; in that case, a hybrid is also worth considering.
How common are electric cars in Türkiye?
| Indicator | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Electric cars sold in 2025 | 189,868 (17.5% of the market) | ODMD |
| Electric sales, January–October 2026 | 135,142 (19.5% of the market) | ODMD |
| Electric share in October 2026 | 22.1% | ODMD |
| Electric cars on the road (August 2026) | 472,157 | TÜİK (Turkish Statistical Institute) |
| Public charging sockets (September 2026) | 48,971 (21,307 of them DC) | EPDK (Energy Market Regulatory Authority) |
Sources (as of 3 November 2026): ODMD (Automotive Distributors' and Mobility Association) press release, 3 November 2026 · ODMD press release, 6 January 2026
Advantages
- Tax: on an electric car with up to 160 kW and a pre-tax price of up to 1,650,000 TL, ÖTV is 25%; on a comparable petrol car it is 70–100%. MTV is a quarter of that for an equivalent petrol car.
- Energy cost: charging at home, especially in the night band of the three-rate tariff, is several times cheaper per 100 km than petrol. To calculate with your own figures, you can use the calculator in our "Electric or petrol?" guide.
- Maintenance: no oil, filters, spark plugs or timing belt; according to Hyundai Türkiye's official prices, maintenance up to 120,000 km on the Kona Electric costs about half as much as on the petrol Kona.
- Driving: quiet, vibration-free, instant torque; one-pedal driving and regenerative braking in town.
- Battery warranty: 8 years and 160,000 km or more at most brands.
- Charging network: the number of public charging sockets reached 48,971 in September 2026; about 44% of them are fast DC.
Disadvantages
- Purchase price: the cheapest electric car costs around 1.6 million TL; electric cars usually start out more expensive than similar-sized petrol rivals, but the tax advantage can close the gap.
- Without home charging: the average public DC charging price in October 2026 was about 13.68 ₺/kWh; for a driver who does all their charging there, the energy advantage shrinks markedly.
- Long trips: a 20–40 minute charging stop is needed every 300–500 km; you need to plan your route.
- Winter: range can drop by 20–40% in the cold; in very cold provinces the loss is greater.
- Battery warranties vary by brand: for example, 5 years / 150,000 km at Kia Türkiye and 8 years / 250,000 km at BYD.
- Used market: the market is growing fast, but prices are sensitive to changes in technology and in new-car prices; battery health should be checked separately.
Sources (as of 3 November 2026): Kia Türkiye warranty · BYD Türkiye warranty periods
Who is an electric car right for?
| Your situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| I can charge at home or at work, and my daily driving is under 150 km | Electric is a very good fit |
| A charging unit can be installed in the shared car park of my housing complex | Electric is a good fit; apply to the site management for installation |
| No home charging, but there is an AC station near me | A good fit; AC charging is cheaper than DC |
| I have nowhere to charge; every charge will be at public DC | Small cost advantage; compare a hybrid too |
| I make trips of more than 600 km several times a month | Choose a long-range model with fast charging |
Frequently asked questions
- Should I buy an electric car?
- If you can charge at home or at work, yes for most drivers: tax, energy and maintenance costs are low. If you cannot charge and often drive long distances, the advantage shrinks.
- What is the biggest disadvantage of an electric car?
- For those who cannot charge at home, public fast charging is expensive, and long trips need charging stops. Shorter range in winter is also an important factor.
- How are electric car sales doing in Türkiye?
- According to ODMD, 189,868 electric cars were sold in 2025 (17.5% of the market); the share rose to 19.5% in January–October 2026 and to 22.1% in October 2026.
- Is an electric car cheaper than a petrol car?
- The purchase price usually starts higher, but ÖTV and MTV are lower; with home charging, energy and maintenance costs are markedly lower. Use our cost calculator for your own usage.