Per-mile costs: electric vs petrol
The comparison only makes sense with specific numbers. Here are the four main charging scenarios side by side.
| Charging type | Cost per kWh | Approx cost per mile |
|---|---|---|
| Home off-peak EV tariff | ~9.5p | ~2.7p |
| Home standard (Ofgem Q2 2026) | 24.67p | ~7.5p |
| Public standard/fast PAYG | 54p | ~16p |
| Public rapid PAYG | 76p | ~23p |
| Petrol (35 mpg, current prices) | — | ~17–21p |
The Ofgem Q2 2026 standard electricity unit rate is 24.67p per kWh. Many EV drivers move to a dedicated off-peak tariff that offers overnight rates of roughly 7 to 12p per kWh, bringing the per-mile cost down to as little as 2 to 3 pence. Public rapid chargers tracked by Zapmap's price index averaged 76p per kWh in March 2026 — making rapid charging on a pay-as-you-go basis broadly comparable to, or more expensive than, petrol.
Home charging is not merely cheaper: it is the single variable that determines whether switching to an EV saves you money at all.
Fuel costs over a year
At 10,000 miles per year with a home charger and an off-peak electricity tariff, a typical EV driver pays roughly £210 to £280 per year in fuel costs. The equivalent petrol car costs well over £1,200 per year to fuel at current pump prices — a saving of around £700 to £900 annually. Figures vary; verify current data.
At 15,000 miles per year the saving rises further, to approximately £958 for a home-charger owner. However, an EV driver relying solely on public rapid charging at 76p per kWh would pay around £1,900 per year in fuel costs at 10,000 miles — higher than a petrol car.
An off-peak home tariff is the closest equivalent of filling up cheaply. If you are considering switching, securing home charging and an EV-friendly electricity tariff should be the first item on your checklist.
Maintenance and servicing
Electric cars have no engine oil, no cambelt, no exhaust system, and no spark plugs. These are not minor omissions — they represent some of the most frequent and expensive service items on a petrol car. The result is a meaningfully lower annual service bill.
The average annual EV service cost is in the range of £100 to £250, with a mean of approximately £165, compared to around £205 for a comparable petrol car. When you include unplanned repairs, EVs tend to save £200 to £400 per year over their petrol equivalents — figures vary; verify current data.
- EV tyres can wear slightly faster than petrol car tyres due to the additional weight of battery packs and instant torque delivery at low speeds
- Brake pad and disc replacement is less frequent on EVs because regenerative braking handles most deceleration in everyday driving
Insurance
Insurance is the one category where electric cars remain more expensive than their petrol equivalents. According to the MoneySuperMarket Electric Car Insurance Index 2026, the average annual EV premium stands at £707, compared to £558 for a petrol car — a gap of approximately £149 per year.
The gap is driven by three structural factors: battery replacement costs (which can range from £5,000 to over £20,000 depending on the model), a relative shortage of EV-qualified repair technicians, and the higher purchase value of most electric cars compared to equivalent petrol models.
The good news is that the gap is closing. It stood at around 30% above petrol car premiums in 2023 and had narrowed to under 10% by the fourth quarter of 2025 — figures vary; verify current data. For detailed guidance on reducing your premium, see our guide to electric car insurance costs.
Road tax
Electric cars lost their VED exemption in April 2025. Most EV owners now pay broadly the same road tax as a petrol car in the equivalent band.
- New EVs registered after 1 April 2025: £10 in the first year, then £200 per year
- EVs registered between April 2017 and March 2025: £200 per year
- EVs registered before April 2017: £20 per year
- Expensive Car Supplement (list price above £50,000): +£440 per year for five years from year two
The threshold was raised from £40,000 to £50,000 for zero-emission vehicles in November 2025. For the full picture, see our full guide to electric car road tax.
What does an EV actually save over a year?
Here is how the numbers stack up for a typical home-charger owner covering 10,000 miles per year in 2026:
| Cost category | Electric car | Petrol car | Annual difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/charging | ~£280 (off-peak) | ~£1,200+ | EV saves ~£900 |
| Servicing | £100–£250 | ~£205 | EV saves ~£40–£200 |
| Insurance | ~£707 | ~£558 | EV costs ~£149 more |
| Road tax | £200 | ~£200 | Broadly equal |
| Net saving | ~£500–£1,100/year |
Figures vary depending on model, tariff, mileage, and location. Verify current data before budgeting.
For the full cost to run an electric car in the UK — covering every category in one place — see our full cost to run an electric car in the UK guide.
When is petrol still cheaper to run?
Electric cars are not universally cheaper to run. There are three situations where petrol may still win on running costs:
- Drivers relying solely on public rapid chargers. At 76p per kWh and around 23 pence per mile, rapid-charger-only EV running costs exceed or match petrol in most scenarios.
- Very low-mileage drivers. Under 5,000 miles per year, the fuel saving is too small to offset the higher purchase price of most EVs in a reasonable timeframe.
- Drivers without home charging access. Even on standard public chargers at 54p per kWh (approximately 16 pence per mile), the saving over petrol is modest.
If you do not have off-street parking, this does not automatically rule out an EV — but it does change the economics. See our guide to charging an electric car without a driveway for a full breakdown of the options.
Key takeaways
- At home on an off-peak tariff, charging an EV costs roughly 2 to 7 pence per mile compared to 17 to 21 pence per mile for petrol.
- A home-charger owner driving 10,000 miles a year typically saves around £705 versus a petrol equivalent — figures vary; verify current data.
- Public rapid charging at 76p per kWh (Zapmap, March 2026) can cost as much as 23 pence per mile, narrowing or eliminating the saving.
- EVs cost roughly £40 to £200 less per year to service on average, and around £149 more to insure.
- Road tax is now £200 per year for most EVs, broadly the same as a petrol car in the equivalent band.
- The case for switching is strongest for high-mileage drivers with access to cheap home or workplace charging.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to run an electric car than a petrol car in the UK?
For most home-charger owners, yes. At 10,000 miles per year on a home off-peak tariff, fuel and servicing savings typically amount to £700 or more annually. Drivers relying on public rapid chargers see much smaller or no savings, as rapid PAYG rates of around 76p per kWh bring the per-mile cost to roughly 23 pence — comparable to or above petrol. Figures vary; verify current data.
How much does it cost per mile to run an electric car?
It depends on where you charge. Home off-peak (approximately 9.5p per kWh): around 2 to 3 pence per mile. Standard home tariff (24.67p per kWh, Ofgem Q2 2026): around 7 pence per mile. Public standard (54p per kWh, Zapmap March 2026): around 16 pence per mile. Public rapid (76p per kWh): around 23 pence per mile. Petrol at 35 miles per gallon runs to roughly 17 to 21 pence per mile at current prices.
Are electric cars more expensive to insure than petrol cars?
Yes, on average. According to ABI data reported in the MoneySuperMarket Electric Car Insurance Index 2026, the average EV premium is £707 compared to £558 for a petrol car — a gap of around £149. The gap is narrowing and stood at under 10% above petrol premiums by late 2025, driven by more insurers entering the market with EV-specific pricing.
Do electric cars need less servicing than petrol cars?
Generally yes. With no engine oil, cambelt, spark plugs, or exhaust system to maintain, the service schedule is simpler and less expensive. Annual service costs average £100 to £250 compared to around £205 for a petrol equivalent. Physical brakes also last longer due to regenerative braking, though tyres may wear slightly faster due to vehicle weight.
What is the average annual cost to run an electric car in the UK?
For a home-charger owner doing 10,000 miles per year: charging at the standard Ofgem rate costs approximately £740 to £900 per year, servicing runs £100 to £250, insurance averages around £707, and road tax is £200. Total running costs of roughly £1,750 to £2,050 per year — typically £500 to £1,100 less than a comparable petrol car for drivers with home charging access. Figures vary; verify current data.