Calculate EV Running Costs
Enter your driving details to calculate annual electric car running costs and savings vs petrol.
UK average: 7,400 miles/year
Average: 3.5, Efficient: 4-5
Off-peak: 7-9p, Standard: 24-28p
Most EV owners charge 80-90% at home
Rapid chargers: 44-79p/kWh
Annual EV Cost
Cost Per Mile
vs Petrol Savings
Electric vs Petrol/Diesel Comparison
Compare the true running costs between electric and petrol/diesel vehicles.
Electric Car
Petrol Car
Annual Savings
5-Year Savings
Cost Per Mile
EV Charging Cost Calculator
Calculate the cost of charging your electric car at home or public chargers.
Common: 40-80 kWh
kWh Required
Charging Cost
Charging Time
Total Cost of Ownership (5 Years)
Calculate the complete cost of owning an electric car over 5 years including all expenses.
EVs: 50-60%, Petrol: 45-55%
5-Year Total Cost
Cost Per Month
Cost Per Mile
5-Year Breakdown
UK EV Charging Costs 2025
Understanding charging costs is essential for calculating your true EV running expenses. Here's a breakdown of current UK charging rates:
Home Charging
- Off-peak rate: 7-9p/kWh
- Standard rate: 24-28p/kWh
- 50 kWh charge: £3.50-£14
- Annual cost (10k miles): £350-£550
Public Charging
- Slow (7kW): 35-45p/kWh
- Fast (22kW): 45-55p/kWh
- Rapid (50kW): 55-65p/kWh
- Ultra-rapid (150kW+): 65-79p/kWh
Best EV Tariffs
- Octopus Go: 7.5p/kWh (00:30-04:30)
- OVO Charge Anytime: 7p/kWh
- EDF GoElectric 35: 9p/kWh
- Intelligent Octopus: 7p/kWh smart
Charging at home on an off-peak tariff (7-9p/kWh) costs just £350-£450 per year for 10,000 miles. Public rapid charging (55-65p/kWh) would cost £1,570-£1,850 for the same distance. That's a saving of over £1,200 per year just by charging at home!
Electric Car Efficiency Guide
EV efficiency varies significantly by model, driving style, and conditions. Understanding your car's efficiency helps you calculate accurate running costs.
| Vehicle Type | Efficiency (mi/kWh) | Example Models | Cost/Mile (home) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Efficient | 4.5-5.0 | Tesla Model 3, Hyundai Ioniq 6 | 1.6-2p |
| Efficient | 4.0-4.5 | BMW i4, Polestar 2, MG4 | 2-2.3p |
| Average | 3.5-4.0 | VW ID.4, Kia EV6, Nissan Leaf | 2.3-2.6p |
| Large SUVs | 2.8-3.5 | Tesla Model X, Audi Q8 e-tron | 2.6-3.2p |
| Performance | 2.5-3.0 | Porsche Taycan, Mercedes EQS AMG | 3-3.6p |
Expect 20-30% reduction in efficiency during cold weather (November-March). A car averaging 4 mi/kWh in summer might only achieve 2.8-3.2 mi/kWh in winter. Always preheat your car while plugged in to maximize efficiency.
EV vs Petrol Annual Running Costs
Compare the total annual running costs between electric and petrol vehicles for 10,000 miles:
| Cost Category | Electric Car | Petrol Car | EV Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/Electricity | £350-£550 | £1,500-£2,000 | £950-£1,450 |
| Road Tax (2025/26) | £195 | £190-£400 | £0-£205 |
| Servicing | £150-£250 | £400-£600 | £150-£350 |
| MOT | £55 | £55 | £0 |
| Insurance | £400-£700 | £350-£600 | -£50-£100 |
| Total Annual | £1,150-£1,750 | £2,495-£3,655 | £1,345-£1,905 |
EV BIK tax is just 3% in 2025/26 vs 25-37% for petrol/diesel. A higher-rate taxpayer with a £40,000 company car saves approximately £4,800/year in tax alone by choosing an EV over a petrol equivalent.
Home EV Charger Installation UK
Installing a home charger is essential for maximizing EV savings. Here's what you need to know:
Installation Costs
- 7kW home charger: £800-£1,200
- Installation: £300-£500
- Total typical cost: £1,000-£1,500
- Payback period: 12-18 months
Popular UK Chargers
- Ohme Home Pro: £899 + install
- Pod Point Solo 3: £799 + install
- Wallbox Pulsar Plus: £489 + install
- Zappi: £839 + install
Available Grants
- EV Chargepoint Grant: £350
- Scotland grant: £350
- Landlord grant: £350/socket
- Workplace scheme: £350/socket
Frequently Asked Questions
Home charging costs vary significantly based on your tariff. Off-peak rates (7-9p/kWh) cost £3.50-£4.50 for a typical 50 kWh battery, while standard rates (24-28p/kWh) cost £12-£14. Public rapid charging ranges from 44-79p/kWh, costing £22-£40 for a full charge. For 10,000 miles annually, expect to pay £350-£550 charging at home vs £1,500-£2,000 for petrol.
Yes, significantly cheaper. EVs cost 2-5p per mile with home charging compared to 12-18p per mile for petrol cars. For 10,000 miles annually, this means £350-£550 for an EV vs £1,500-£2,000 for petrol - savings of £950-£1,650 per year on fuel alone. Additional savings come from lower servicing costs (£150-£250 vs £400-£600), lower road tax, and exemption from London congestion charges.
The best EV tariffs offer off-peak charging at 7-9p/kWh. Top options include Octopus Go (7.5p/kWh between 00:30-04:30), OVO Charge Anytime (7p/kWh with flexible hours), and Intelligent Octopus (7p/kWh with smart charging). These tariffs can reduce your annual charging cost from £800+ to under £350 for 10,000 miles.
With a typical 7kW home charger, a 50 kWh battery takes 7-8 hours to fully charge. Most EV owners plug in overnight and wake up to a full battery. For daily use, you rarely need a full charge - topping up from 40% to 80% takes about 3-4 hours. A standard 3-pin plug is very slow (15+ hours) and should only be used for emergencies.
Absolutely. A home charger costs £1,000-£1,500 to install but saves over £1,200 per year compared to relying on public rapid charging. It pays for itself within 12-18 months. Additional benefits include convenience (charge overnight while you sleep), access to cheaper off-peak electricity rates, and faster charging (7kW vs 2.4kW on a standard plug).
Several factors affect EV efficiency: Cold weather can reduce range by 20-30%. Motorway speeds use more energy than city driving. Aggressive acceleration drains the battery faster. Climate control (heating/AC) impacts range. Tyre pressure and aerodynamics matter too. To maximize efficiency: preheat while plugged in, use eco mode, drive smoothly, and keep tyres properly inflated.
Yes, from April 2025, EVs pay road tax for the first time. Most will pay the standard rate of £195 per year. EVs with a list price over £40,000 will also pay the Expensive Car Supplement (£410/year) for the first five years, making the total £605/year. This still represents good value compared to high-emission petrol/diesel vehicles which pay £190-£400+ based on CO2 emissions.
Calculate EV running costs with this formula: Annual miles / efficiency (mi/kWh) = kWh needed. Then multiply by your electricity rate. For example: 10,000 miles / 3.5 mi/kWh = 2,857 kWh. At 8p/kWh home charging: 2,857 x £0.08 = £229/year. Add road tax (£195), insurance, and servicing for total ownership costs. Use our calculator above for personalized results.
Last updated: January 2026 | Verified with latest UK rates
✓ Expert Reviewed — This calculator is reviewed by our team of financial experts and updated regularly with the latest UK tax rates and regulations. Last verified: January 2026.
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