EV vs petrol running costs: the honest comparison
22 July 2026·6 min read
Start with where the car is charged
An EV doing 3.5 miles per kWh on a home off-peak tariff costs a fraction of the equivalent petrol car per mile. Charge the same car only at public rapid stations and the cost per mile is much closer to petrol. Where you charge decides the economics more than the badge.
These figures move with tariffs and pump prices, so treat them as a snapshot. Live petrol and diesel prices are on the fuel finder, and live chargers are on the EV finder.
Where EVs win
- Home charging: the cheapest miles, especially on overnight tariffs
- Servicing: no oil, plugs, belts or exhaust, so the yearly bill is about a third lower
- Road tax: EVs have paid the standard rate since 2025 rather than nothing, but the first-year rate on new EVs is still low
- Clean Air Zones: every EV is compliant in every current UK zone
Where petrol still wins
- Public rapid charging costs several times home rates, so the fuel advantage fades on long trips
- Upfront price: EVs still cost more than like-for-like petrol cars
- Refuelling speed and network reliability on motorways
- Used market: battery health uncertainty is priced into older EVs
The decision in one paragraph
With a driveway and an off-peak tariff, an EV is cheaper per mile today and the gap grows the more you drive. Parked on the street and reliant on public chargers, the fuel saving is thin and the higher purchase price takes longer to pay back. Both types pass the same MOT, though the EV has less to fail.