{"id":3803,"date":"2026-02-13T17:15:49","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T13:15:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/auto-gallery.am\/?p=3803"},"modified":"2026-03-10T19:43:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T15:43:06","slug":"electric-vehicles-vs-traditional-cars-which-is-more-affordable","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/auto-gallery.am\/en\/electric-vehicles-vs-traditional-cars-which-is-more-affordable\/","title":{"rendered":"Electric vs. Traditional Cars: Which is Truly More Affordable?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Option A:<\/strong> you\u2019ve had a childhood dream of owning a 1988 Mercedes-Benz 560. Option B:<\/strong> you simply need transportation, have a defined budget, and are choosing within that price segment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As much as we can appreciate the retro charm of Option A, chances are your reality is closer to Option B. And when browsing listings, the first (and sometimes only) filter you activate is price. That\u2019s perfectly natural. A car is a major financial commitment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But this is exactly where many buyers focus only on the purchase price while missing the bigger picture. A car’s true “cost” reveals itself over time. It can cause daily financial stress through fuel costs, regular maintenance, and unexpected repairs. The longer you operate the vehicle, the clearer it becomes that the “affordable” option at the start can gradually become the most expensive one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In today’s auto market, the conversation has shifted from “good price” to the price-to-quality ratio over a 5\u201310 year period. To this, we add another question: what is the most technologically advanced and future-proof solution? In this article, we will conduct a cold, financial comparison considering initial and subsequent costs, maintenance features, resale value, and the benefits available in Armenia. By the end, your choice should feel far less complicated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Purchase Phase: The “Golden Window” of State Incentives<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In Armenia, the first hurdle when buying a car has traditionally been customs clearance. For conventional internal combustion vehicles, customs duties and VAT can range from 30% to a staggering 50% of the vehicle’s value, depending on engine power and year of manufacture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For electric vehicles, the situation is diametrically opposite. According to the latest decisions of the Eurasian Economic Commission<\/a>, Armenia maintains zero-duty quotas for electric vehicles. This means 0% customs duty and0% VAT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In practice, this means that if you have a budget of, say, $35,000, in the EV segment you can afford a brand-new IM Motors<\/a> model, with specifications and performance comparable to a $50,000\u2013$60,000 gasoline vehicle. Technically, we could stop the article here. But let\u2019s go deeper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Long-Term Cost of Ownership: What Showrooms Won\u2019t Tell You<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sellers usually focus on the sticker price. In reality, that number is only the tip of the iceberg. The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) includes all expenses incurred throughout the life of the vehicle:<\/p>\n\n\n\n