This study investigates the operational costs of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) in Indonesia by modeling their relationship with driving speed patterns. Primary data were collected through a structured survey of 171 BEV users across various regions, complemented by secondary data from manufacturer specifications, government reports, and previous studies. Using both linear and polynomial regression, the analysis examined cost components including charging, maintenance, tires, spare parts, battery usage, gear reducer oil, and depreciation. The results show that driving speed significantly affects several cost components, particularly charging, maintenance, and tires, which exhibit non-linear relationships with optimal efficiency at moderate speeds. Depreciation was identified as the largest contributor to BEV operating costs, although it remained largely independent of driving behavior. Overall, the findings highlight that integrating speed patterns into operational cost models improves estimation accuracy and provides critical insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and consumers in assessing the economic feasibility of BEVs and promoting sustainable transportation development in Indonesia. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2026.