The transport sector, especially road transport, has a very negative impact on air pollution. This impact is most pronounced in densely populated urban areas, so efforts should be made to minimise the negative environmental impact of the transport sector. Replacing conventional vehicles with cleaner modes of transport is one way of reducing pollution. From an environmental point of view, the use of battery electric vehicles is the most acceptable, as they produce zero emissions during operation. However, for vehicle owners, the financial investment during the purchase and use of the vehicle is very important. This is particularly true for hauliers who own a large number of vehicles. The total cost of ownership (TCO) of these vehicles plays an important role in their choice. This paper gives an overview of the methods used to estimate TCO. It also presents the results obtained by different researchers when calculating TCO values for urban buses with different powertrain types.