How much money can I save by cycling to work in New Zealand?

Savings depend on your commute distance and vehicle type. A typical NZ commuter driving a medium car 20 km return daily can save over $3,000 per year by switching to a bike, based on IRD mileage rates which include fuel, maintenance and depreciation.

What is the IRD mileage rate used in the calculator?

The calculator uses the IRD 2024–25 kilometre rates: $1.17/km for petrol, $1.26/km for diesel, $0.86/km for hybrid, and $1.08/km for electric vehicles. These rates include fuel, maintenance and depreciation.

Does cycling save money compared to driving in NZ?

Yes. For most NZ commuters, cycling costs a fraction of driving. Even accounting for bike purchase and maintenance, most cyclists break even within the first year compared to driving costs.

Bike vs Car Calculator New Zealand

Enter your trip's distance

Distance (kilometres)

Not sure? Open Google Maps ↗ → Directions → enter your route → note the km shown.

Please enter a distance greater than 0.

This is my daily commute Doubles distance for a return trip · shows weekly / monthly / yearly savings

Your Vehicle

Select your vehicle type

Please select your vehicle type.

Based on top NZ models by registrations 2021–2026 - Real world fuel consumption

For more information about fuel data → View full fuel consumption table ↗

Fuel type

Petrol

Diesel

Electric

Current fuel price

Fuel price ($/L)

$

Pre-filled with current avg from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)
(w/e 17 Mar 2026).

Parking costs

Parking cost ($)

$

E.g. $5–$25 for CBD parking. Leave 0 if free.

Parking rate type

Your Savings Breakdown

🚗 Full car cost — per trip · IRD-rated incl. depreciation

⛽ Fuel only — per trip no maintenance or depreciation

You save per trip

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saved per km

What makes up your car cost

IRD rate —

Total (IRD-rated)—

The IRD rate includes average fuel prices, maintenance and depreciation. It's a generic metric per vehicle fuel type — not indexed on car size — and is updated every year. More info on IRD kilometre rates ↗

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See how much you saveby choosing the bike

What makes up your car cost

See how much you save
by choosing the bike