Fuel vs Electric
Should you switch to an EV? Compare running costs using live UK fuel prices.
Your Driving
EV vs Petrol: The Real Running Costs
The cost-per-mile gap between electric and petrol cars is significant and growing. At typical UK electricity rates of around 28p per kWh, an efficient EV covering 3.5 miles per kWh costs roughly 8p per mile to run. Compare that with a 40 MPG petrol car at 150p per litre, which works out at around 17p per mile -- more than double the electric cost.
Charging at home on an overnight tariff can cut EV running costs even further. Some energy suppliers offer off-peak rates as low as 7-10p per kWh, which brings the cost per mile down to just 2-3p. Public rapid chargers are more expensive at 60-80p per kWh, but even at those rates an EV is usually competitive with petrol for motorway journeys.
Beyond fuel savings, electric vehicles have substantially lower maintenance costs. No oil changes, no exhaust system repairs, fewer brake pad replacements thanks to regenerative braking, and no timing belt to worry about. Industry estimates suggest EV maintenance costs around 50% less than an equivalent combustion vehicle over its lifetime. Our calculator above uses live UK fuel prices so you can see exactly how the numbers stack up for your mileage.
Cost Comparison
Petrol
~16p per mile
Electric
~5p per mile
Annual Saving
~£1,200
Based on 10,000 miles/year
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to run an electric car or a petrol car?
For the vast majority of UK drivers, an electric car is substantially cheaper to run on a per-mile basis. Home charging typically costs 8-10p per mile compared with 15-18p per mile for petrol. Over 10,000 miles a year, that translates to a saving of roughly £700-£1,000 on energy alone, before accounting for lower servicing costs.
How much does it cost to charge an electric car at home?
On a standard domestic tariff of around 28p per kWh, a full charge for a typical 60 kWh battery costs about £16.80 and delivers roughly 200 miles of range. On an EV-specific overnight tariff, that same charge could cost as little as £4-£6. Installing a home wallbox (around £800-£1,000 after any grants) makes charging convenient and often faster than a three-pin plug.
How much can I save by switching to an electric car?
A driver covering 10,000 miles a year can expect to save £700-£1,000 in fuel costs annually by switching from petrol to electric, rising to £1,500 or more for higher-mileage drivers. Add in lower road tax (currently free for EVs), exemption from many congestion and clean air zone charges, and reduced maintenance bills, and the total annual saving can comfortably exceed £2,000.
EV Advantages
- No fuel duty or petrol VAT to pay
- 50% lower maintenance costs over lifetime
- Free from most congestion and clean air charges
- Off-peak charging as low as 7p per kWh
- Zero tailpipe emissions