Would an EV actually save you money?
Compare electric vs petrol running costs using real local UK prices. See your true cost per mile, annual savings, and break-even point.
Start with the quick comparison, or switch to full cost over time to factor in purchase price, maintenance, VED, and rough resale value over the years you plan to own the car.
What you'll see
The default view gives you the fast running-cost answer. If you want the whole picture, switch to full cost of ownership and compare year-by-year totals.
- Cost per mile: EV vs petrol
- Annual and 5-year savings
- Break-even point
- Full cost of ownership over time
- 10-year cumulative cost chart
Avg. EV saving/yr
~£900
10k mi, 80% home
EV cost per mile
~4.3p
vs ~14p petrol
Data privacy
100%
Browser-only calc.
* Illustrative defaults. Your results will vary.
Calculator mode
Your driving details
Fill in your details
Enter your annual mileage, current car MPG, and charging assumptions. Click Calculate my true cost to see your personalised EV vs petrol comparison.
- Cost per mile comparison
- Annual and 5-year savings
- Break-even point
- 10-year cumulative cost chart
Reference prices
Fuel
Electricity
UK national averages. Enter postcode for local prices. Why this matters →
Independent & impartial
No car dealership or energy company affiliation.
Your data stays private
Calculations run in your browser. No postcode stored.
Built for UK drivers
UK fuel prices, pence per litre, MPG — not miles per gallon US.
Transparent assumptions
Every number you see can be adjusted. Nothing hidden.
How the calculation works
We use the same cost-per-mile approach that fleet managers use. Every assumption is visible and adjustable.
Tell us your driving details
Enter your annual mileage, current car MPG, fuel type, and postcode. These form the baseline for your petrol or diesel running costs.
We calculate real running costs
We use UK pump prices, your home electricity tariff, public charging rate, and EV efficiency to calculate true cost per mile for both options.
You see the true cost comparison
Get a clear annual saving or cost difference in quick mode, or switch to full cost of ownership for a year-by-year chart with purchase price, maintenance, VED, and rough resale value.
Want to understand the maths? Read our methodology page for the full formulas, data sources, and limitations. All calculation logic runs in your browser — nothing is stored on a server.
Why local prices matter
Fuel prices vary by up to 20p per litre across the UK. A driver in rural Scotland may pay significantly more than someone near a supermarket forecourt in the Midlands.
Electricity costs vary even more dramatically. Home tariffs range from around 22p/kWh on an EV-specific overnight rate to over 35p/kWh on standard variable. Public rapid charging can reach 80p/kWh or more.
Using a national average disguises the real answer for your situation. That's why we let you adjust every assumption — and why the calculator now looks up live local fuel prices near your postcode automatically when you enter it and click Calculate.
Typical UK price ranges
Approximate UK ranges. Prices change daily. Always check your local forecourt and energy tariff.
Common questions
Is it cheaper to run an electric car than petrol in the UK?
For most UK drivers who can charge at home, yes — often by £600–£1,200 per year at 10,000 miles. The key variable is where you charge. Home overnight charging at 28p/kWh costs around 8p per mile. Public rapid charging at 75p/kWh costs around 21p per mile — more expensive than many petrol cars. Enter your actual mileage, MPG and postcode above for a personalised answer.
How does entering my postcode improve the calculation?
When you enter your UK postcode, the calculator looks up live local petrol and diesel prices from forecourts near you using official CMA Fuel Finder data. Petrol prices vary by up to 20p per litre across the UK — that difference alone can shift your annual fuel bill by £100–£200. Without a postcode, the calculator uses a national average as the default.
What is a break-even point for an EV?
The break-even point is how long it takes for your running cost savings to repay the extra purchase price of an EV versus an equivalent petrol car. For example, if an EV costs £2,500 more to buy and saves you £900 per year in fuel costs, you break even in about 2.8 years. The calculator shows this automatically when the EV is cheaper to run.
How much does it cost to charge an EV at home per mile in the UK?
On a standard tariff at ~28p/kWh a typical EV (3.5 mi/kWh) costs ~8p/mile at home. On a dedicated EV overnight tariff like Octopus Go (~7p/kWh) this drops to ~2p/mile — roughly a seventh of the cost of petrol. Choosing the right tariff often has more impact on your annual bill than which EV model you buy.
Do electric cars save money if you can't charge at home?
Without home charging the economics change significantly. Relying on public rapid charging at 60–80p/kWh puts EV running costs at 17–23p/mile — comparable to or higher than petrol. Drivers without off-street parking should factor this in carefully before switching.
What is the cheapest EV tariff in the UK right now?
Dedicated EV overnight tariffs are the cheapest way to charge at home. As of 2026, Octopus Go offers off-peak rates around 7–9p/kWh from midnight to 5am. These require a smart meter. Switching from a standard tariff to an EV tariff is often the single highest-impact change you can make to your running costs.
Does this calculator include road tax, insurance, and servicing?
No — this calculator covers fuel and electricity running costs only. Road tax (VED), insurance, servicing and depreciation vary too widely between vehicles to compare reliably. EVs generally have lower servicing costs (fewer moving parts) but can carry higher insurance premiums and steeper depreciation on some models.
Ready to see your numbers?
Fuel prices, electricity rates, and charging habits vary enormously. The only way to know if an EV saves you money is to run your own numbers.
Calculate my true costResults are estimates, not financial advice. See our methodology for full assumptions.