Electric Car Running Cost Calculator (UK)

How much cheaper is an EV to run than a petrol car? Enter your annual mileage and how you charge, and this calculator shows your yearly electricity cost, the petrol cost for the same miles, your annual saving and the cost per mile for each.

Updated 2026-06-11 · The EV Pros editorial team

Your details

Most EVs return 3 to 4.5.

2026 Ofgem cap is about 25p.

2026 UK average is about 79p.

2026 UK average is about 158p.

--

Adjust the inputs to see your estimate.

How we work out the EV cost

We start with how much electricity you use over a year, then apply a blended price that reflects the mix of cheap home charging and pricier public charging:

  • Electricity used (kWh) = annual miles / efficiency (miles per kWh)
  • Blended price = home% x home price + public% x public price
  • EV cost per year = electricity used x blended price

Home charging is far cheaper than public rapid charging, so the more you charge at home, the lower your running cost. That is why the home-charging slider makes such a big difference to the result.

How we work out the petrol cost

For a fair comparison we use the same annual mileage and convert it to litres of fuel, then to pounds:

  • Litres per year = (annual miles / mpg) x 4.54609 (there are 4.54609 litres in a UK gallon)
  • Petrol cost per year = litres x petrol price

We then show the cost per mile for each, which is the cleanest way to compare: it strips out your mileage and shows the raw running cost of each car.

The 2026 UK prices we used

The defaults are set to current 2026 UK figures, but every input is editable so you can plug in your own tariff:

  • Home electricity: 25p per kWh, in line with the Ofgem price cap for spring 2026. A dedicated overnight EV tariff can be far cheaper, often 7p to 10p per kWh.
  • Public rapid charging: 79p per kWh, the rough UK average for rapid and ultra-rapid chargers in 2026.
  • Petrol: 158p per litre, the UK average in June 2026.

If you are on a cheap overnight EV tariff, drop the home price to your off-peak rate and watch the saving grow.

Assumptions and accuracy

Defaults reflect 2026 UK prices: home electricity 25p per kWh (Ofgem cap, spring 2026), public rapid 79p per kWh (UK average), petrol 158p per litre (UK average, June 2026). Fuel and electricity only, before servicing or tax savings.

These figures are estimates, not a guarantee. Last updated 2026-06-11.

Related on The EV Pros

FAQs

Is an electric car cheaper to run than petrol?
For most UK drivers, yes, especially if you can charge at home. Charging at home at 25p per kWh works out far cheaper per mile than petrol at 158p per litre. Drivers who rely heavily on public rapid charging save less, and the gap narrows. Use the calculator to see your own numbers.
How much does it cost to charge an EV at home?
At the 2026 price cap of around 25p per kWh, a 60kWh battery costs roughly £15 for a near-full charge. On a dedicated overnight EV tariff at 7p to 10p per kWh, the same charge can cost under £6.
Why is public charging so much more expensive?
Public rapid chargers carry the cost of the hardware, grid connection, maintenance and standing charges, plus VAT at 20% rather than the 5% applied to domestic energy. That is why public rapid charging at around 79p per kWh costs roughly three times more than home charging.
What efficiency should I use for my EV?
Most modern EVs return between 3 and 4.5 miles per kWh. Small efficient cars can beat 4, while large SUVs and performance EVs sit nearer 2.5 to 3. We default to 3.5, a fair all-round figure. Your car will show its own lifetime efficiency on the dashboard.
Does this include servicing and tax savings?
No, this calculator covers fuel and electricity only, so it is a like-for-like running cost comparison. EVs are usually cheaper to service and tax as well, so the total saving is often larger than the figure shown here.

Find a Trusted EV Specialist

Every garage on The EV Pros is verified, trust-scored and updated nightly.

Search the Directory Electric Car Servicing Hub