Electric Car vs Petrol Running Cost Calculator (UK)
Compare UK running costs of an electric car versus a petrol or diesel equivalent. Includes home charging, public charging, road tax, and servicing.
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EV vs Petrol Running Cost Guide (UK)
What should I know about Fuel Cost Reality?
Cost per mile varies massively by charging mix. Home-charged EV on cheap overnight tariff (Octopus Intelligent Go 7p/kWh): ~2p/mile in a typical EV (3.5 mi/kWh). Home-charged on standard tariff (28p/kWh): ~8p/mile. Public rapid charging (60-80p/kWh): ~20-25p/mile — often MORE expensive than petrol per mile. Modern petrol/diesel (45 MPG, £1.45/litre): ~14p/mile. Modern diesel (55 MPG, £1.50/litre): ~12p/mile. The picture: home charging + EV is far cheaper. Public-only charging EVs cost similar to, or sometimes more than, an efficient petrol car per mile, which is why home charging access is the single biggest factor in whether an EV actually saves money.
What should I know about The Charging Mix Question?
Charging where matters enormously. Home charging requires: driveway/garage with off-street parking. 7kW home charger installation (£800-1,400 plus £350 OZEV grant if eligible). Smart tariff: Octopus Intelligent Go (7p off-peak overnight), Octopus Go (8p off-peak), British Gas Electric Driver, EDF Go Electric. Public charging access via: Tesla Supercharger (typically 30-50p/kWh for Tesla owners, varying public access pricing). InstaVolt rapid (60p+/kWh). Ionity (60-75p depending on contract). BP Pulse and Shell Recharge sit at similar rapid-charging price points, generally in the 55-70p/kWh range depending on location and membership tier.
What should I know about Beyond Fuel: Total Cost of Ownership?
Vehicle Excise Duty (VED / road tax): EVs ZERO until April 2025. From April 2025 EVs pay VED — £190/year for cars over £40,000 valuation. Expensive Car Supplement: £410 supplemental annual tax for cars over £40,000 list price (years 2-6). Applies to many EVs. Insurance: EVs typically 20-30% more expensive than equivalent petrol. Repair costs higher, fewer specialist mechanics. Maintenance: EVs cheaper to service. No oil, no spark plugs, no exhaust, no clutch (in single-speed EVs), regenerative braking that reduces brake pad and disc wear significantly compared to a petrol or diesel car.
When EV Makes Financial Sense?
Best case for EV economics: own driveway/garage for home charging. High annual mileage (12,000+ miles). Smart tariff access (Octopus etc.). Salary sacrifice scheme available (BIK tax 2% for EVs 2026/27 saves huge sums for higher-rate taxpayers). Worst case for EV economics: street parking without charging access. Low annual mileage (under 5,000 miles — fuel savings don't outweigh higher purchase price). Long-distance driving heavy on public rapid charging. Crossover: the typical break-even point for a new EV against an equivalent petrol car is usually reached somewhere between 3 and 6 years of ownership, depending on annual mileage and charging access.