Option A
Electric
A fully electric car runs on battery power and is charged at home or public charging points.
Electric vs petrol cars: which is cheaper?
Updated June 2026 8 min read
Quick verdict
For most UK drivers doing over 10,000 miles a year, an electric car is cheaper to run, but usually costs more upfront. If you do under 6,000 miles a year or cannot charge at home, petrol may still be cheaper overall.
Option B
Petrol
A petrol car uses a combustion engine and is refuelled at petrol stations.
Side-by-side comparison
Electric cars usually win on day-to-day running costs when you can charge at home. Petrol cars can still win on upfront price, long-distance convenience and low-mileage ownership.
Average annual fuel cost
Electric
Around £500 with home chargingBetter
Petrol
Around £1,800 at typical pump prices
Typical purchase price
Electric
Often £28,000 to £50,000
Petrol
Often £18,000 to £35,000Better
Road tax
Electric
Lower for many models, but EV VED rules now applyBetter
Petrol
Varies by emissions and registration date
Servicing
Electric
Often lower due to fewer moving partsBetter
Petrol
Often higher over time
Real-world range
Electric
Often 150 to 280 miles
Petrol
Often 400 to 600 milesBetter
Refuel or recharge time
Electric
20 minutes to overnight
Petrol
Around 5 minutesBetter
Best for
Electric
Home charging and regular mileage
Petrol
Low mileage and lower upfront budget
| Compare | Electric | Petrol |
|---|---|---|
| Average annual fuel cost | Around £500 with home chargingBetter | Around £1,800 at typical pump prices |
| Typical purchase price | Often £28,000 to £50,000 | Often £18,000 to £35,000Better |
| Road tax | Lower for many models, but EV VED rules now applyBetter | Varies by emissions and registration date |
| Servicing | Often lower due to fewer moving partsBetter | Often higher over time |
| Real-world range | Often 150 to 280 miles | Often 400 to 600 milesBetter |
| Refuel or recharge time | 20 minutes to overnight | Around 5 minutesBetter |
| Best for | Home charging and regular mileage | Low mileage and lower upfront budget |
Pros and cons
Electric pros and cons
Pros
- ✓Much cheaper to run day to day with home charging
- ✓Lower servicing costs for many models
- ✓Useful savings for city drivers in clean-air zones
- ✓Quiet, smooth driving
Cons
- -Higher upfront purchase price
- -Home charging access matters
- -Public rapid charging can be expensive
- -Long journeys may need planning
Petrol pros and cons
Pros
- ✓Lower upfront price for many models
- ✓Refuel almost anywhere in minutes
- ✓Better long-distance convenience
- ✓More second-hand choice under £20,000
Cons
- -Higher fuel cost per mile
- -More moving parts to service
- -Pump prices can change quickly
- -Clean-air zone charges may apply to some cars
Cost examples
City commuter
At 8,000 miles a year, home charging can make the EV cheaper to run, but the purchase price gap still matters.
- Estimated EV fuel saving
- £640/yr
- Typical break-even
- About 5 years
Average driver
At 12,000 miles a year, fuel savings become more meaningful and can help offset a higher EV price.
- Estimated EV fuel saving
- £960/yr
- Typical break-even
- About 4 years
High mileage driver
At 20,000 miles a year, the lower energy cost per mile can make an EV significantly cheaper to run.
- Estimated EV fuel saving
- £1,600/yr
- Typical break-even
- About 2 years
When to choose Electric
- ›You drive over 10,000 miles a year
- ›You can charge at home overnight
- ›You drive mainly in towns or cities
- ›You plan to keep the car for at least four years
- ›You want lower day-to-day running costs
When to choose Petrol
- ›You do fewer than 6,000 miles a year
- ›You have no reliable charging option
- ›You regularly drive 200+ miles in a day
- ›Your upfront budget is under £20,000
- ›You want maximum refuelling convenience
Calculator
Calculate your own figures
Use the calculator below for a personal estimate, or open the full tool for the complete calculator page.
FAQs
How long before an EV pays for itself compared with petrol?
For many UK drivers, the break-even point is around three to five years. High-mileage drivers can break even sooner, while low-mileage drivers may not recover the higher upfront cost.
Is it cheaper to charge an EV than fill up with petrol?
Usually yes when charging at home. Home charging can cost much less per mile than petrol, but public rapid charging can narrow the saving.
What real-world range should I expect from an electric car?
Many modern EVs deliver around 150 to 280 miles in real-world use. Cold weather, motorway speeds and driving style can reduce range.
Do electric cars cost more to insure?
Some EVs currently cost more to insure than similar petrol cars because of repair costs and parts pricing. Always compare quotes for the exact model.
Are electric cars still cheaper after road tax changes?
They can be, but road tax reduces the advantage slightly. The bigger saving usually comes from fuel and servicing costs, especially with home charging.
What is the cheapest way to charge an electric car?
Home charging on a suitable off-peak tariff is usually cheapest. Public rapid chargers are convenient but often much more expensive.
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