Is an EV Cheaper Than Petrol in the UK?
Updated June 2026 · Based on current UK fuel and electricity prices
Quick answer
Yes, if you charge at home. An EV costs 7–8p per mile on a standard home tariff versus 16–19p per mile for petrol — a saving of 8–11p per mile. At 10,000 miles this is £800–£1,100 per year. Without a home charger, public charging at 70p/kWh costs about 20p per mile — similar to or more than petrol.
The cost per mile comparison: EV vs petrol
EV (home charging)
EV (public charging)
Petrol
Diesel
EV efficiency: 3.5 mi/kWh. Petrol: 143.9p/litre. Diesel: 151.9p/litre. June 2026 prices.
Annual saving at different mileages
Assuming EV at 8p/mile (home charging) vs petrol at 16.3p/mile (40 MPG):
| Annual mileage | EV cost (home) | Petrol cost | Annual saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 miles | £640 | £1304 | £664/yr |
| 10,000 miles | £800 | £1630 | £830/yr |
| 12,000 miles | £960 | £1956 | £996/yr |
| 15,000 miles | £1200 | £2445 | £1245/yr |
| 20,000 miles | £1600 | £3260 | £1660/yr |
Calculate for your exact situation
Enter your mileage, actual fuel costs, and charging habits for a personalised figure.
Use the EV vs Petrol Cost CalculatorFrequently asked questions
Is an EV cheaper than petrol to run in the UK in 2026?
For drivers who charge at home, yes — often significantly cheaper. At a standard 28p/kWh home tariff and an EV efficiency of 3.5–4.0 miles/kWh, an EV costs 7–8p per mile. A petrol car averaging 40 MPG at 143.9p/litre costs approximately 16.3p per mile. This is a saving of 8–9p per mile — or £800–£900 per year at 10,000 miles. Drivers who rely primarily on public rapid charging (70p/kWh) pay around 20p per mile — more expensive than most petrol cars.
How much cheaper is an EV than petrol per year?
At 10,000 miles per year with 80% home charging: a typical EV costs £900–£1,100 in electricity. A petrol car at 40 MPG costs approximately £1,635 in fuel. The saving is typically £500–£750 per year at this mileage. At 20,000 miles per year, the annual saving for a home-charging EV owner doubles to £1,000–£1,500.
Does buying an EV save money overall?
The running cost saving is real, but EVs typically cost more to buy than equivalent petrol cars. The break-even point — when the accumulated fuel savings outweigh the purchase premium — depends on the price difference and your annual mileage. A £2,500 premium with £800/year saving breaks even in about 3 years. A £10,000 premium with the same saving takes 12.5 years — longer than many people keep a car.
Is EV or petrol cheaper if I don't have a home charger?
Without a home charger, the economics are much less clear. Public rapid charging in the UK typically costs 60–80p/kWh. At 70p/kWh and 3.5 miles/kWh, you're paying 20p per mile — higher than a 40 MPG petrol car at 16.3p per mile. The EV advantage only returns if you have access to cheap charging (workplace, kerbside, or destination charging at low rates).
Are EVs cheaper to run than petrol or diesel?
Compared to petrol at 143.9p/litre: home-charging EVs are cheaper at most mileages. Compared to diesel at 151.9p/litre: a 55 MPG diesel costs 12.6p per mile, which is closer to EV home charging rates. For efficient diesel drivers (50+ MPG with a home charger) the running cost saving of switching to an EV is smaller — though the BIK tax benefit for company car drivers makes EVs compelling regardless.