Our EV vs Petrol Running Cost Calculator UK helps you compare the real-world running costs of an electric vehicle (EV) with a petrol car. Enter your journey distance, fuel economy, electricity efficiency, and current UK fuel and electricity prices to calculate how much each journey costs and estimate how much money you could save by switching to an electric vehicle.
Whether you're buying your first EV, comparing company cars, planning your commuting costs, or simply curious about the cost difference between electric and petrol vehicles, this calculator provides fast estimates for single journeys as well as weekly, monthly and annual running costs.
✔ Compare EV vs petrol costs • ✔ Weekly, monthly & annual savings • ✔ UK energy prices • ✔ Instant results
The cost of owning a vehicle extends far beyond the purchase price. Fuel or electricity is one of the largest ongoing expenses, particularly for drivers who cover thousands of miles each year. This calculator estimates how much it costs to drive both an electric vehicle and a petrol car over the same journey, helping you make informed decisions before buying your next vehicle.
Unlike many simple comparison tools, this calculator takes into account your own driving distance, your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current UK fuel and electricity prices. This provides a more personalised estimate that better reflects real-world driving costs.
Unlike many EV cost comparison tools, this calculator also includes popular UK petrol and electric vehicle presets. You can quickly compare models such as the Tesla Model 3, MG4, BMW iX, Mercedes S63 AMG and Toyota Yaris Hybrid, or enter your own vehicle's real-world fuel economy and electricity efficiency for a personalised comparison.
The calculator estimates running costs by comparing the amount of petrol or electricity required to complete the same journey.
For petrol vehicles it calculates fuel consumption using:
For electric vehicles it uses:
The calculator provides much more than a simple cost comparison. It estimates:
For journeys where an electric vehicle costs less to run than a petrol car, the calculator also estimates the carbon dioxide emissions associated with the petrol used. Although this is only an estimate, it provides a useful indication of the potential environmental benefit of switching to an EV.
Fuel prices in the UK have remained volatile over recent years, while electricity prices have also changed significantly. As a result, many drivers want to know whether switching to an electric vehicle will genuinely reduce their everyday transport costs.
Running costs depend on many factors, including:
This calculator helps remove the guesswork by providing estimates based on your own figures rather than national averages.
Suppose you drive 25 miles each day.
Your petrol vehicle achieves 45 MPG and petrol costs £1.35 per litre.
Your electric vehicle averages 4 miles per kWh and home electricity costs 27p per kWh.
The calculator will estimate:
Although every vehicle performs differently, many electric cars can cost considerably less per mile when charged at home compared with an equivalent petrol vehicle.
This calculator is useful for:
Rather than relying on marketing claims, you can compare costs using your own mileage and energy prices.
Most electric vehicle owners charge at home because it is usually the most convenient and cost-effective option. Home charging typically uses electricity supplied through a standard domestic tariff or an EV-specific tariff that offers cheaper electricity during off-peak hours.
Charging overnight can significantly reduce running costs. Some energy suppliers offer dedicated EV tariffs with lower night-time electricity prices, making electric vehicles even more economical for drivers who regularly charge at home.
Home charging also provides predictable costs because electricity prices generally fluctuate less frequently than petrol prices. This makes budgeting for transport expenses easier throughout the year.
Public charging stations provide convenient charging while travelling, but they often cost more than charging at home. Prices vary depending on:
Rapid and ultra-rapid chargers usually cost considerably more per kWh than standard home electricity. While they offer much faster charging, frequent reliance on public chargers may reduce the overall savings compared with petrol vehicles.
For many UK drivers, the best balance comes from charging primarily at home while using public chargers only for longer journeys.
One of the easiest ways to compare vehicles is by looking at the running cost per mile. Rather than focusing solely on fuel prices, cost per mile combines fuel efficiency with energy prices to provide a fair comparison between different vehicles.
For example, two petrol cars may use the same fuel but have very different fuel economy. Likewise, two electric vehicles may consume different amounts of electricity depending on battery size, weight and driving efficiency.
Cost per mile allows you to compare vehicles regardless of their engine size or battery capacity.
Electric vehicles are usually measured in miles per kilowatt-hour (miles/kWh). This indicates how far the vehicle can travel using one unit of electricity.
Typical efficiency figures include:
Driving style, weather conditions and road type all influence efficiency. Cold temperatures, motorway speeds and heavy acceleration generally reduce the number of miles achieved from each kilowatt-hour.
Petrol vehicles are commonly measured using miles per gallon (MPG). A higher MPG means better fuel efficiency and lower running costs.
Typical figures include:
Real-world MPG often differs from official manufacturer figures because traffic conditions, weather, vehicle load and driving style all affect fuel consumption.
Fuel is only one part of vehicle ownership. Maintenance costs also play an important role when comparing petrol and electric vehicles.
Petrol vehicles typically require:
Electric vehicles have fewer moving parts and generally require less routine maintenance. They do not need engine oil changes or exhaust systems, although they still require tyres, brakes, suspension servicing and regular safety inspections.
Battery technology has improved significantly over recent years. Many manufacturers now provide battery warranties lasting eight years or more, and modern lithium-ion batteries are designed to retain a high percentage of their original capacity after many thousands of miles.
Battery degradation occurs gradually and varies depending on charging habits, climate and vehicle usage. For most drivers, battery lifespan is sufficient for many years of everyday use.
The amount you drive each year has a major impact on potential savings.
| Annual Mileage | Potential Benefit |
|---|---|
| 5,000 miles | Moderate savings |
| 10,000 miles | Significant savings |
| 15,000 miles | High annual savings |
| 20,000+ miles | Maximum benefit for many drivers |
Drivers covering higher annual mileages generally experience greater savings because fuel expenses make up a larger proportion of total ownership costs.
Businesses increasingly compare petrol and electric vehicles when expanding or replacing company fleets. Running costs, servicing requirements and energy expenses all influence the overall cost of ownership.
For employees using company vehicles, electric cars may also offer tax advantages depending on current UK regulations and Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) rates.
Fleet operators, delivery companies and self-employed drivers often use running cost calculators to estimate annual operating expenses before purchasing new vehicles.
Although this calculator focuses on financial running costs, environmental impact is another important consideration for many drivers.
Electric vehicles produce no exhaust emissions while driving, helping improve local air quality. Their overall environmental impact depends on how the electricity used for charging is generated, but increasing amounts of renewable energy are contributing to lower lifetime emissions in many parts of the UK.
Petrol vehicles continue to improve in efficiency, but they still rely on fossil fuels and produce carbon dioxide emissions during operation.
Several variables can change your results:
Because these factors change over time, comparing your own figures regularly can help you make more informed decisions about future vehicle ownership.
For many UK drivers, yes. Charging an electric vehicle at home is often less expensive than buying petrol for the same distance. The exact saving depends on electricity prices, fuel prices, vehicle efficiency and annual mileage.
Many electric vehicles cost considerably less per mile than comparable petrol cars, especially when charged at home. However, actual savings vary depending on energy prices and driving conditions.
Yes. Rapid and ultra-rapid public chargers usually cost more per kWh than home charging. Drivers who charge mainly at home often benefit from lower running costs.
Yes. Although this calculator is designed for petrol vehicles, you can enter diesel fuel prices and your vehicle's MPG to estimate diesel running costs as well.
Yes. Cold temperatures can temporarily reduce battery efficiency, meaning an electric vehicle may consume more electricity during winter months.
Absolutely. Rising petrol prices generally increase the financial advantage of electric vehicles, while lower fuel prices reduce the difference.
Many EVs require less routine maintenance because they have fewer moving mechanical parts. However, tyre replacement, brakes, suspension and regular servicing are still important.
The answer depends on your annual mileage, charging options, purchase price and personal circumstances. This calculator estimates running costs only and does not include purchase price, depreciation or insurance.
Yes. Fleet operators, self-employed drivers and company car users can compare estimated running costs before purchasing or leasing vehicles.
Yes. Simply enter your own electricity tariff and current fuel price to obtain personalised estimates based on your circumstances.
Home charging is usually the cheapest option, particularly when using an off-peak electricity tariff. Public rapid chargers offer greater convenience but often cost significantly more per kWh.
Yes. You can either choose one of the built-in vehicle presets or manually enter your own real-world fuel economy and electricity efficiency to compare almost any petrol or electric vehicle.
An EV vs Petrol Running Cost Calculator UK provides a practical way to compare everyday driving costs before purchasing your next vehicle. By entering your own mileage, fuel economy and energy prices, you can estimate how much each journey costs and understand the potential financial benefits of driving an electric vehicle.
While purchase price, insurance and depreciation should also be considered, running costs remain one of the biggest ongoing expenses for motorists. This calculator helps you make informed decisions using realistic estimates tailored to your own driving habits.
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Last Updated: August 2026