Taxi or Personal Car: What’s More Cost-Effective in 2026?

The choice between owning a car and using taxis is no longer straightforward. A personal vehicle offers comfort and independence, while taxis eliminate the need to manage maintenance costs.

To make a sound decision, it’s important to evaluate both comfort and total cost in the context of your daily routes, parking availability, and vehicle requirements.

Let’s break down the advantages, limitations, and cost calculation approach for each option.

Life in the Passenger Seat

The popularity of ride-hailing services in Uzbekistan is driven by accessibility and ease of use. Passengers don’t need to worry about oil changes, seasonal tyres, or insurance policies. During a ride, you can respond to emails or simply relax without dealing with traffic.

However, taxi pricing is dynamic. Costs fluctuate depending on demand and weather conditions. Each ride may differ in comfort and vehicle condition. If your day includes multiple stops across the city, your monthly expenses may exceed expectations. During peak hours, waiting times can also increase significantly.

Benefits of Taxi Use

Limitations

+ No need to search for parking The car picks you up and drops you off directly at your destination.        + No vehicle-related responsibilities Maintenance, repairs, insurance, and paperwork are not your concern.        + You’re not driving Particularly convenient in traffic or after a long workday.        + No ownership risks or expenses Fines, breakdowns, and unexpected issues are not your responsibility

– Variable pricing The same route may cost differently depending on time and demand.          – Higher costs for complex routes Multiple stops or frequent short trips can add up quickly.           – Inconsistent comfort Each ride varies in vehicle condition and driving style.           – Availability depends on demand During peak periods, wait times increase and options may be limited.

A Car as a Practical Asset with Ongoing Costs

In most cases, a car is not an investment—it depreciates over time due to wear and market factors. It’s more appropriate to view it as a mobility tool that provides convenience and flexibility, while retaining some residual value upon resale.

That’s why the key comparison should focus on total cost of ownership vs. taxi expenses, not potential profit.

Benefits of Owning a Car

Ownership Considerations

+ Freedom and time control No waiting for a car or reliance on service availability.   + Convenience for multi-stop routes Ideal for daily routines involving school, work, and errands.   + Out-of-city travel Greater flexibility for trips outside urban areas.   + Family comfort Child seats, personal items, and shopping can remain in the car.   + Personal space You control climate, music, and overall comfort.   + EV advantage With home charging, the car is always ready without extra stops.

– Fuel or electricity costs Depend on mileage and vehicle type.       – Maintenance and consumables Includes servicing, diagnostics, tyres, and repairs.        – Payments and documentation Insurance, registration, and potential fines.        – Parking and storage Availability impacts both convenience and cost.       – Risks and unexpected expenses Accidents, theft, and ongoing upkeep.

How to calculate expenses

When assessing your budget, it's important to look beyond the cost of gas or a single trip. The total cost of car ownership includes insurance, regular maintenance, and even small car wash expenses. Experts recommend analyzing expenses based on your monthly driving patterns.

For clarity, consider a scenario with a daily mileage of 40 kilometers, which equates to approximately 1,200 km per month.

Option	Monthly Cost	Annual Cost	Cost Structure
Taxi (Comfort)	≈ 3,978,000 UZS	≈ 47.7M UZS	33,150 UZS × 4 rides × 30 days
Electric Vehicle	≈ 564,000 UZS	≈ 6.8M UZS	422,400 UZS electricity + 142,000 UZS base costs
Hybrid	≈ 747,000 UZS	≈ 9.0M UZS	295,680 UZS electricity + 218,700 UZS fuel + 233,000 UZS base costs
Petrol Vehicle	≈ 1,406,000 UZS	≈ 16.9M UZS	1,173,000 UZS fuel + 233,000 UZS base costs

How the calculations were conducted

All options are calculated for a single scenario. The daily mileage is 40 km, which equates to approximately 1,200 km per month.

For taxis, a model of four 10 km trips per day is used with the Comfort tariff. The calculation does not take into account increased rates during peak hours and inclement weather, so actual costs may be higher.

For an electric vehicle, an average consumption of 16 kWh per 100 km is assumed, and the charging cost is approximately 2,200 UZS per kWh. This yields a target cost of approximately 350 UZS per kilometer. Basic expenses such as insurance and maintenance are also included.

For a hybrid, a combined scenario is used. Approximately 70% of the mileage is driven by electricity and 30% by gasoline. The calculation takes into account both energy sources, as well as basic ownership costs.

For a gasoline vehicle, an average consumption of 8.5 liters per 100 km and the current fuel price are assumed. Insurance and regular maintenance are added to the costs.

* All calculations do not take into account depreciation, inflation, or possible unforeseen expenses.

Payback period for a car based on daily use

Vehicle Type	Model	Price	Annual Savings vs Taxi	Payback Period
Electric	BYD Seagull	from 208.3M UZS	≈ 41.0M UZS	≈ 5.1 years
	BYD e2	from 236.6M UZS	≈ 41.0M UZS	≈ 5.8 years
	BYD Yuan Up	from 266.7M UZS	≈ 41.0M UZS	≈ 6.5 years
Hybrid	BYD Chazor Champion	262.1M UZS	≈ 38.7M UZS	≈ 6.8 years
Petrol	Chevrolet Onix	from 161.9M UZS	≈ 30.9M UZS	≈ 5.2 years
	Chevrolet Tracker	from 216.0M UZS	≈ 30.9M UZS	≈ 7 years

How the calculations were made

The savings are calculated as the difference between taxi costs and car expenses for the same mileage. The payback period indicates how many years it will take for these savings to offset the cost of the car.

In our scenario, taxi costs amount to approximately 47.7 million sum per year.

An electric vehicle for the same trips costs approximately 6.8 million soum per year. The difference is about 41.0 million soum per year. This is the amount you save by using an electric vehicle instead of a taxi.

A hybrid (70% electric + 30% gasoline, including basic ownership costs) costs about 9.0 million soum per year. The difference compared to a taxi is approximately 38.7 million soum annually.

A gasoline-powered car (fuel + basic ownership costs) costs about 16.9 million soum per year. The difference compared to a taxi is approximately 30.9 million soum annually.

The payback period is easy to calculate. The cost of the car is divided by the annual savings. For example, a car costing about 161.9 million soums “pays for itself” through savings in about 5 years.

Chazor on credit. Ownership is cheaper than taking a taxi