EV vs Petrol: Cost Per Mile Comparison

Charged at home, an electric car costs a fraction of a petrol car per mile in energy. At illustrative prices of 7.5p a kWh and 140p a litre, an EV doing 4 miles per kWh costs about 1.9p a mile against about 15.9p for a petrol car doing 40 mpg. On public rapid chargers the gap can close completely.

Side-by-side comparison

Electric and petrol car running costs per mile, at illustrative prices
FeatureElectric (EV)Petrol
Energy cost per mile, home chargingAbout 1.9p (4 miles per kWh at 7.5p a kWh)About 15.9p (40 mpg at 140p a litre)
Energy cost per mile, public rapid chargingAbout 16.3p (4 miles per kWh at 65p a kWh)Not applicable
Energy for 10,000 miles£475 with 80% home and 20% public charging£1,591
ServicingOften simpler, with no engine oil, spark plugs or exhaustEngine servicing, including oil and filter changes
Vehicle tax after the first year (2026/27)Same for both£200 a year standard rate for both.
Vehicle tax in the first year£10 for an electric car registered from 1 April 2025Based on CO₂ emissions
Expensive car supplement£440 a year for five years if the list price is over £50,000 (cars registered from 1 April 2025)£440 a year for five years if the list price is over £40,000
Planned pay-per-mile charge3p a mile from 1 April 2028 (planned; not yet law)Not applicable; fuel duty is already included in the pump price

Who each option suits

Electric (EV)

Best forDrivers who can charge at home, especially those covering higher mileages, where the per-mile saving adds up fastest.

Petrol

Best forDrivers who cannot charge at home and would rely on public rapid chargers, or who drive low mileages where the saving is small.

Key takeaways

  • Home charging is what makes an EV cheap to run per mile.
  • Public rapid charging can cost as much per mile as petrol, or more.
  • After the first year, electric and petrol cars pay the same standard vehicle tax.
  • A planned 3p-a-mile charge for electric cars from April 2028 would narrow the gap.

EV vs Petrol Running Cost Calculator

Compare the annual running costs of an EV and a petrol car using your own mileage, prices and efficiency.

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How the figures are worked out

  • Petrol: 4.54609 litres in a UK gallon ÷ mpg × price per litre. At 40 mpg and 140p: 0.114 litres × 140p = about 15.9p a mile.
  • Electric: price per kWh ÷ miles per kWh. At 4 miles per kWh: 7.5p ÷ 4 = about 1.9p a mile at home, 65p ÷ 4 = about 16.3p a mile on a rapid charger.

A year at 10,000 miles

This is the EV vs Petrol calculator's worked example, at illustrative prices. Servicing is £150 a year for the EV and £450 for the petrol car.

  • EV: 2,500 kWh, 80% at home at 7.5p and 20% at 65p, a blended 19p = £475, plus £150 servicing = £625.
  • Petrol: 1,136.52 litres at 140p = £1,591.13, plus £450 servicing = £2,041.
  • Difference: £1,416 a year in the EV's favour.

If the planned 3p-a-mile charge applied, the EV would pay another £300 a year at this mileage, and the saving would be £1,116. With all charging on public chargers at 65p, the EV would cost £1,775 a year and the saving would be £266 before that charge; at 80p, the petrol car would be £109 a year cheaper.

Is an EV cheaper than petrol? covers the wider costs, including the price of the car.

Prices and efficiencies are illustrative, not current market prices; use the prices you pay. Purchase price, depreciation, insurance and finance are not included. This comparison is general guidance, not financial advice.

Sources and review

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