The cost of buying, owning and driving a car in Switzerland is expected to increase in 2025, a new report has revealed. Touring Club Switzerland (TCS) found that higher purchase, depreciation and servicing costs are the main factors behind the rise.

Price per kilometre for drivers in Switzerland set to rise

To create the study, TCS started by finding the average cost of cars bought in Switzerland. They then calculated how much it would cost to buy this "average car" and run it for 10 years, for 15.000 kilometres a year, taking into account everything from depreciation and vehicle taxes to car insurance, parking and other variable costs. 

They then used this to calculate the average price per kilometre. TCS noted that the metric is designed to be used by companies when determining future running costs, and by individuals who are considering buying or upgrading their set of wheels.

Why is the cost of running a car set to rise?

In the report, TCS predicted that the average cost per kilometre in Switzerland will rise by 5,5 percent from 2024 to 2025, increasing from 72 rappen (cents) to 76 rappen. Total running costs will rise from 10.728 francs to 11.337 francs a year.

The study found, perhaps unsurprisingly, that buying the car itself takes up the biggest share of costs at 27 percent, followed by parking and garage rent (16 percent), fuel costs (13 percent), depreciation (12 percent) and insurance (10 percent).

The most recent rise has been attributed to the higher cost of buying a vehicle and resultant higher depreciation. TCS noted that average prices have risen from 41.000 francs in 2024 to 44.400 francs in 2025. This was blamed on “legal requirements for driver assistance systems that have been in force since July 7, 2024, which have significantly increased the production costs of the vehicles.”

2025 will also see higher prices for parking and garage rent, and maintenance. By contrast, the cost of fuel and tyres is expected to remain roughly the same.

Public transport still sees higher price rises

While drivers in Switzerland may baulk at the findings, compared to other forms of transport, motorists have been well sheltered from rising costs. A report from the official Swiss Price Monitor in September 2024 found that while the cost of public transport has doubled in some areas since 1990, the cost of driving has only risen by 25 percent.

The monitor found that you have to go back to 1993 to find a time when driving had the same average cost as a rail season ticket. He added that while the cost for motorists has not risen significantly since 2013, public transport prices have increased above inflation almost every year since 1990.