Why are electric cars more expensive than conventional ones?

Purchasing an electric vehicle isn't cheap. The additional cost of buying an electric car instead of a conventional one primarily comes from the battery. It alone can make a difference of several thousand euros. Important reasons for this are the raw materials used in the battery as well as the expensive processes involved in battery production. With a price tag of about 500 euros per kWh for a mid-size vehicle with a battery capacity of 20kW, the cost of the battery system adds up to 10,000 euros. Innovative battery materials with a higher energy density as well as improved production processes could mean that these costs could be much lower by 2020. Estimates range from 100 to 250 euros per kWh. If we assume a safe and affordable energy supply, the higher purchasing price of electric cars is partially compensated by the fact that fuel costs are obviate.