CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – The cost of very few things is lower this year than it was last year, but a Triple A survey shows new vehicle ownership and operation costs are one of those, though only slightly. A new Triple-A survey reveals the average cost of owning and operating a new vehicle in 2025 is $11,577, down $719 from 2024.
Triple A Midatlantic’s Morgan Dean said, “Factors contributing to this decline include depreciation, lower finance charges, lower fuel prices, and a shift toward more affordable vehicle options, those smaller, less expensive vehicles out there.”
Dean says depreciation, the loss in value of a vehicle starting when you drive it off the lot, is the largest vehicle ownership cost.
“This year depreciation has decreased with vehicles this year losing an average of $4344 in value per-year compared to $4680 annually back in 2024.”
Estimated finance costs have decreased to $1,131 in 2025, down 15 percent compared to $1,332 in 2024.
The average fuel cost dropped to 13.00 cents per mile, a 12.8% decrease from last year, while regular grade gasoline for YDC vehicles averaged $3.151 per gallon, down from $3.539. Meanwhile, electricity prices for charging electric vehicles rose slightly to 16.7 cents per kilowatt hour, up from 15.9 cents in 2024.
Dean said, “You know, it might be tempting to rush out to the dealer for a new car when you notice a drop in ownership costs this year, but we really encourage drivers to understand all of the costs related to that, including insurance costs for a vehicle.”
“Some of these larger, more luxurious, and bigger sized vehicles are much more in insurance than some of the smaller, less-priced vehicles.”
For example, Triple A notes while a pickup truck is ideal for heavy-duty hauling and towing, it comes at a steep cost, averaging an additional $6,402 per year compared to a small sedan, which operates at just 55.87 cents per mile—43.3 percent less than a pickup. This comparison highlights the importance of selecting a vehicle based on actual transportation needs.
Similarly, according to this year’s TripleA EV survey, consumers are increasingly drawn to electric vehicles (EVs) for their gas savings and lower maintenance costs, with EVs having the second-lowest maintenance expenses among all vehicle categories. Hybrid options are also appealing, offering the lowest maintenance fees while sharing similar lower fuel cost benefits, even considering the national average electricity price of 16.7 cents per kilowatt-hour.
Dean said, “Ultimately, whether opting for a pickup, a small sedan, or an EV, weighing these factors carefully to make a well-budgeted decision can lead to ownership savings.”
