Is the Chevy Bolt EV or Volkswagen ID.4 cheaper to own over 5 years?

Over 5 years (12,000 miles/year, national avg prices), the Chevy Bolt EV has lower total running costs at $27,700 vs $35,647 — a difference of $7,947. TCO includes depreciation, fuel, insurance, and maintenance.

Which is cheaper to charge: Chevy Bolt EV or Volkswagen ID.4?

At the national average of 16.1¢/kWh: Chevy Bolt EV costs 4.1¢/mile ($495/year for 12,000 miles). Volkswagen ID.4 costs 5.0¢/mile ($604/year). The Chevy Bolt EV is cheaper to charge by $109/year.

Chevy Bolt EV vs Volkswagen ID.4: which has better range?

Chevy Bolt EV has 259 miles of range. Volkswagen ID.4 has 206 miles. The Chevy Bolt EV wins by 53 miles.

Chevy Bolt EV vs Volkswagen ID.4: Cost to Own (2026)

2LT · $26,500 vs Standard · $38,995

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Chevy Bolt EV has the lower 5-year total cost of ownership

$7,947 less over 5 years (depreciation + fuel + insurance + maintenance)

Purchase Price

Chevy Bolt EV $26,500

Volkswagen ID.4 $38,995

$12,495 difference

Annual Fuel Cost

Chevy Bolt EV $495/yr

Volkswagen ID.4 $604/yr

$109/yr difference

Range

Chevy Bolt EV 259 mi

Volkswagen ID.4 206 mi

DC Fast Charging

Chevy Bolt EV 55 kW

Volkswagen ID.4 135 kW

to 80% in 60 vs 38 min

5-Year Cost Comparison

	Chevy Bolt EV	Volkswagen ID.4
Purchase price (MSRP)	$26,500	$38,995
Depreciation (5 years)	$14,575	$20,277
Fuel (5 years)	$2,475	$3,020
Insurance (5 years)	$8,250	$9,750
Maintenance (5 years)	$2,400	$2,600
5-Year TCO	$27,700	$35,647

TCO = depreciation + fuel + insurance + maintenance. Assumes 12,000 miles/year at 16.1¢/kWh. Excludes purchase price (same money either way).

Charging Comparison

	Chevy Bolt EV	Volkswagen ID.4
Battery size	65.0 kWh	62.0 kWh
Efficiency	3.9 mi/kWh	3.2 mi/kWh
Cost per mile (home)	4.1¢	5.0¢
Full charge cost (home)	$10.47	$9.98
Level 2 charge time	4.5 hrs	4.5 hrs
DC fast charge peak	55 kW	135 kW
DC fast charge (0–80%)	60 min	38 min