The Long Term Cost Savings Of A Streetdog
Thinking about upgrading to a Streetdog but not sure how much you can save? Let’s take a look at the long-term costs and benefits. Owning a Streetdog isn't just about escaping gridlock traffic - it's a smart, cost-effective choice that lowers your carbon footprint and saves you money over time.
In this article, we’ll break down the costs of owning a Streetdog compared to one of the most fuel efficient petrol cars and one of the most popular electric cars for urban commuting.
Purchasing Costs
We all know that the upfront cost plays a big role in any purchase decision. So, let's take a look at the sticker prices in New Zealand in November 2024:Petrol car: Considered one of the most fuel efficient cars, it starts at $26,000.
Electric car: This popular electric car comes in at $64,000, a significant jump.
Streetdog50: The Streetdog50 starts at $12,000.
While the Streetdog50 might have a higher upfront cost compared to cheap petrol scooter or bike with low build quality, it’s still considerably more affordable than both the Electric Car and Petrol Car. But it’s the running, maintenance, and servicing costs outlined below that really make the Streetdog a worthy consideration.
Running Costs
When it comes to fuel vs. electricity, owning a Streetdog can be a game-changer in terms of cost savings. Let’s consider the case of someone in New Zealand who commutes 10 km each day, five days a week (5,200 km annually).Petrol Car: This fuel-efficient car, averages around 6L/100 km. Assuming petrol is priced at $2.60 per litre, roughly the price in November 2024, you’ll be spending about $811 per year for fuel.
Electric Car: Electric Cars are much more energy-hungry compared to an electric motorbike. The Electric Car in this comparison uses an estimated 14 kWh per 100 km on average. Assuming electricity is priced at $0.30 per kWh, your annual charging costs for the Electric Car will be around $450 for 5,200 km of commuting.
Streetdog50: The Streetdog50, on the other hand, uses a conservatively estimated 3.75 kWh per 100 km on average. With 5,200 km of commuting per year, your annual charging cost will come to $58.50. That's a massive saving compared to both the Petrol Car and Electric Car.
Annual Fuel Costs Breakdown:
- Petrol Car: $811
- Electric Car: $450
- Streetdog50: $59
Road user charges (RUC)
Anyone using New Zealand’s or Australia’s roads contribute towards their upkeep. Petrol cars pay levies when they buy fuel. Electric vehicles that way over 1000kgs are subject to separate road user charges of $72 per 1000km in New Zealand, resulting in an additional $380 running cost for 5,200 km for the Electric Car. RUC in Australia will apply to eligible EVs from 1 July 2027 or when EVs make up 30 per cent of all new vehicle sales, whichever comes first.
The Streetdog is not subject to RUC as it's under 1000kg.
Road User Charges Breakdown:
- Petrol Car: Petrol levies
- Electric Car: $380
- Streetdog50: $0
Maintenance and Servicing Costs
One of the often-overlooked costs of owning a vehicle is maintenance. Let’s break down what you can expect here:Petrol Car: As with any traditional petrol vehicle, the Petrol Car will need regular servicing, oil changes, new tires, brake replacements, and more. Annual maintenance costs generally fall in the range of $300 to $600 for this car.
Electric Car: Electric Cars have fewer moving parts than a petrol car. However, it still requires things like tire replacements, brake servicing, and occasional check-ups. You can expect to pay about $400 to $800 per year for maintenance.
Streetdog50: Electric motorbikes like the Streetdog50 are incredibly low-maintenance. They don’t have oil to change, no complicated engine components, and fewer moving parts. That means lower servicing costs. For the Streetdog50, you’ll likely spend about $150 to $200 per year on basic maintenance, including tire changes, brake servicing, and checks.
Maintenance Costs Breakdown:
- Petrol Car: $300–$600
- Electric Car: $400–$800
- Streetdog50: $150–$200
And this doesn’t factor in potential cost savings from new parts and repairs. With fewer mechanical parts to maintain, the Streetdog50 gives you peace of mind and big savings when it comes to keeping your vehicle in top shape.
How Much Can You Save and Is the Streetdog Worth It?
Now, let’s compare all the numbers to get a clearer picture of the total cost of ownership.
| Expense | Petrol Car | Electric Car | Streetdog50 |
| Purchase cost | $26,000 | $64,000 | $12,000 |
| Running cost (annual) | $811 | $430 | $59 |
| Road user costs (annual) | Petrol levies | $380 | $0 |
| Maintenance costs (annual) | $300-$600 | $400-$800 | $150-$200 |
| Total running costs (annual) | $1,111-$1,411 | $1,210-$1,610 | $209-259 |
Annual Savings:
Compared to the Petrol Car, the Streetdog50 can save up to an estimated $1,192 per year.
Compared to the Electric Car, the Streetdog50 can save up to an estimated $1,391 per year.
But That’s Not All
When you own a Streetdog50, you can also expect savings on parking and insurance:
Parking: Motorbikes are often eligible for cheaper or free parking in urban areas. You can park your Streetdog50 in dedicated motorbike spaces, which are typically more accessible and cheaper than parking a car in the city—where rates can range from $50 to $200 per month ($600–$2,400 annually).
Insurance: Motorbike insurance generally costs 20% to 30% less than car insurance. So, if you’re used to paying $800 per year for car insurance, you could expect to pay around $600 or less for insurance on a Streetdog50.
These additional savings on parking and insurance can add up to hundreds of dollars per year, making the Streetdog50 even more cost-effective in the long run.
So Why Is the Car Still King for So Many People?
New Zealand and Australia have long had a strong preference for driving cars. Our geography, urban sprawl, and limited public transport options made car ownership almost a necessity. It's been ingrained into our culture, but as our cities grow and traffic congestion increases, cars are starting to feel less practical. Many other countries have already turned to two-wheel transportation as a smarter, more efficient way to get around. Think Vespa mopeds in Italy or Honda scooters in Southeast Asia—over 80% of Thailand’s population owns at least one motorbike.
New Zealand and Australia are only starting to adapt now, and this is where the Streetdog comes in. There are plenty of reasons people have ditched their cars in favour of the Streetdog.
The Bigger Picture: Energy Efficiency
Beyond the financial savings, the environmental impact of an electric car vs. electric motorbike is worth knowing. Electric motorbikes, such as the Streetdog50, are significantly more energy-efficient than even electric cars. Because they use less power to travel the same distance, electric motorbikes reduce the strain on the energy grid, which is a growing concern in many locations due to the increasing number of electric cars.In fact, a Streetdog50 uses up to 70% less energy than a Tesla Model 3, has far fewer components, and is hand-built, all of which reduce your carbon footprint even further.
Conclusion: Is the Streetdog the Right Choice for You?
The Streetdog50 offers great savings when it comes to both running and maintenance costs. Whether you’re coming from a petrol car or an electric vehicle, the financial benefits are clear. With a lower upfront cost, minimal fuel expenses, and affordable maintenance, the Streetdog50 is the ultimate solution for urban mobility.So, if you’re ready to ditch the gridlock traffic, have some fun, lower your carbon footprint, and save some costs, it might be time to take the Streetdog for a spin.
