Electric Car Savings Calculator UK
Find out how much you could save by switching to an electric vehicle. Compare annual EV charging costs against your current petrol or diesel spending and see your 5-year savings potential.
EV vs Petrol/Diesel Cost Comparison
Current Petrol/Diesel Car
Electric Vehicle (EV)
UK Public Charging Network Comparison
| Network | Slow (p/kWh) | Rapid (p/kWh) | Key Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pod Point | Free–35p | 50–55p | Tesco, Lidl, IKEA |
| BP Pulse | 38–44p | 59–65p | Motorways, urban hubs |
| Osprey | N/A | 55–70p | UK-wide rapid sites |
| Gridserve | 37p | 65–79p | Electric Forecourts |
| Octopus Electroverse | 35–40p | 55–65p | Aggregator network |
| Octopus Go (home) | 7–10p (night) | 24.5p (day) | Home smart tariff |
Prices correct as of early 2026. Rapid charging costs at public sites can be 4–6x higher than overnight home charging. Use Zap-Map to find live charger availability across the UK.
UK EV Adoption and the Transition to Electric
The UK electric vehicle market has seen extraordinary growth over the past five years. In 2020, fewer than 200,000 battery electric vehicles were registered on UK roads. By early 2026, that figure has surpassed 1.5 million, with electric cars accounting for approximately 18–20% of new car sales each month. The government's Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate requires manufacturers to ensure that at least 22% of new car sales in 2024 are zero emission, rising to 80% by 2030 and 100% by 2035.
UK EV Incentives and Benefits
Although the government's Plug-in Car Grant (PiCG) ended for passenger cars in June 2022, several significant incentives remain for UK EV drivers and buyers. The government continues to offer the Plug-in Van Grant of up to £2,500 for new vans, and the Plug-in Motorcycle Grant of up to £500. Company car drivers benefit substantially from low Benefit in Kind (BIK) tax rates on pure electric cars — currently 2% for 2024/25 and 2025/26, rising gradually to 5% by 2027/28. This compares to 25–37% BIK rates for equivalent petrol or diesel company cars, making EVs extremely tax-efficient for business drivers. The Workplace Charging Scheme provides up to £350 per chargepoint socket (maximum 40 sockets) toward employer installation costs, encouraging workplace charging infrastructure.
Range Anxiety: Is It Still a Real Concern?
Range anxiety — the fear of running out of battery charge before reaching a destination — was a significant barrier to EV adoption in the early 2020s when most electric cars had real-world ranges of 100–150 miles. Modern EVs have substantially addressed this: the Tesla Model Y achieves over 300 miles WLTP range, the Hyundai IONIQ 6 achieves 338 miles, and the Mercedes EQS exceeds 400 miles. For most UK drivers who travel fewer than 200 miles in a typical day and can charge overnight at home, range anxiety is largely a historical concern. For those making occasional long journeys, the UK's motorway rapid charging network — while still expanding — covers most major routes with 50–150kW chargers at service stations. Journey planning apps such as ABRP (A Better Route Planner) can identify charging stops automatically.
Home Charging Installation: What to Expect
Installing a home EV wallbox charger costs between £800 and £1,200 for a 7kW unit with installation. The process typically involves: choosing an approved installer (OZEV-accredited), selecting a charger model compatible with your vehicle, having a survey of your electrical supply, and installation taking approximately half a day. A 7kW charger adds roughly 25 miles of range per hour of charging — a practical overnight charge for most drivers. Three-phase 22kW chargers are available but require a three-phase electricity supply uncommon in UK homes. Smart chargers with scheduling, energy monitoring and smart tariff integration (such as Ohme or Indra) can significantly reduce charging costs.
Smart Tariffs and V2G: Maximising EV Savings
Smart electricity tariffs designed for EV drivers can dramatically reduce charging costs below the standard unit rate of 24.5p/kWh. Octopus Go offers overnight charging (00:30–04:30) at approximately 7–10p/kWh. British Gas Electric Driver and EDF GoElectric offer similar overnight rates. If you have solar panels, pairing them with home battery storage or directly charging your EV from solar generation can bring your per-mile charging cost close to zero. Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology, still in relatively early commercial deployment, allows compatible vehicles (currently mainly the Nissan Leaf) to export electricity back to the grid at peak times, earning revenue or bill credits that can partially offset the cost of the vehicle.
Zero Emission Zones and ULEZ
London's Ultra Low Emission Zone covers all of Greater London and charges non-compliant vehicles £12.50 per day to drive within the zone. Electric vehicles are fully exempt. For a five-day-a-week London commuter driving a non-compliant petrol car, ULEZ charges alone amount to approximately £3,250 per year. Other UK cities implementing Clean Air Zones include Birmingham (£9/day for non-compliant cars), Bath, Bristol and Newcastle. The financial case for EV ownership in major UK cities is substantially enhanced when avoiding these daily charges is factored into the calculation.
Mustafa Bilgic — UK EV and Motoring Finance Specialist
Mustafa covers electric vehicle economics, UK EV incentives and sustainable transport finance for UK Calculator. All figures reflect current UK market conditions for 2025/26. This calculator provides estimates — actual savings depend on your energy tariff, driving patterns and vehicle choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to charge an electric car at home in the UK?
Home charging costs approximately 24.5p per kWh on a standard tariff, though smart EV tariffs like Octopus Go offer overnight rates as low as 7–10p per kWh. For a typical EV with 60 kWh battery, a full charge costs around £14.70 at standard rates or £4.20 on an off-peak smart tariff. Annual home charging for 10,000 miles at 3.5 miles/kWh costs approximately £700 at standard rates or £200–£350 on a smart tariff.
Is it cheaper to run an electric car than a petrol car in the UK?
Yes, for most UK drivers who charge primarily at home. A typical EV costs around 7p per mile at home smart tariff rates vs 15–20p per mile for a petrol car. Annual fuel savings of £800–£1,500 are common. However, if relying primarily on public rapid charging at 60–80p per kWh, the cost advantage narrows considerably.
Do electric cars pay road tax in the UK?
Since April 2025, EVs pay VED: £10 in the first year, then £190/year from year two. EVs with a list price over £40,000 also pay the £410/year expensive car supplement for five years from year two. Before April 2025, EVs were fully exempt from VED.
What is the cost of installing a home EV charger in the UK?
A home EV wallbox (7kW) costs £800–£1,200 fully installed. Installation takes approximately 3–4 hours with an OZEV-accredited installer. A 7kW charger adds roughly 25 miles of range per hour of charging, sufficient for most overnight home charging needs.
How does the UK public charging network compare?
Major UK charging networks include Pod Point (Tesco, Lidl, IKEA), BP Pulse (motorways), Osprey, and Gridserve (Electric Forecourts). Public rapid charging typically costs 55–80p per kWh — 3–6x more expensive than overnight home charging. Use the Zap-Map app to find live charger availability across the UK.
What is V2G charging and can it save money?
Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) allows your EV battery to export electricity back to the grid when prices are high. It requires a compatible EV (e.g. Nissan Leaf with CHAdeMO), a V2G-capable home charger, and a specialist energy tariff. UK trials suggest potential savings of £200–£700 per year for V2G users, though mainstream adoption remains limited.
What are the zero emission zones in UK cities?
London's ULEZ covers all of Greater London and charges non-compliant vehicles £12.50/day. EVs are fully exempt. A five-day-a-week London commuter in a non-compliant car pays approximately £3,250/year in ULEZ charges. Birmingham, Bath, Bristol and other cities operate similar Clean Air Zones where EVs avoid daily charges.