EV vs petrol: cost per mile
Fuel costs only, at today’s UK electricity and pump prices.
| How you fuel | Per mile | 7,000 miles a year |
|---|---|---|
| EV, home off-peak tariff | 2.2p | £152 |
| EV, home standard tariff | 7.5p | £525 |
| EV, public slow/fast chargers | 13.8p | £969 |
| Diesel car (55mpg) | 16.6p | £1,159 |
| Petrol car (45mpg) | 17.7p | £1,238 |
| EV, public rapid chargers | 19.7p | £1,382 |
EV figures use a Tesla Model Y RWD at about 3.9 miles per kWh. Petrol 175p/litre, diesel 200.3p/litre (source, 5 October 2026). Fuel only: no tax, insurance, servicing or depreciation.
What the numbers say
Where you charge matters more than what you drive. An EV charged at home on an off-peak tariff is far cheaper per mile than petrol. The same EV run entirely on public rapid chargers can cost more than petrol.
Most drivers do a mix. If you can charge at home for most of your miles and only use rapid chargers on long trips, an EV will usually cost much less to fuel.
Work out your own figures
Use the calculator to pick your car, set your mileage and choose how much of your charging happens at home.
FAQs
Is an electric car cheaper to run than petrol?
If you charge at home, yes. At current prices an EV costs about 7.5p a mile on a standard tariff and 2.2p on an off-peak EV tariff, against about 17.7p a mile for a typical petrol car.
Is public charging more expensive than petrol?
Often, yes. At the average rapid charger price of 77p per kWh, an EV costs about 19.7p a mile, which is more than a typical petrol car at 17.7p a mile.
What petrol price do you use?
The UK average of 175p a litre for petrol and 200.3p for diesel, as of 5 October 2026.
Charge for 7.6p per kWh instead of 26.3p
Intelligent Octopus Go is built for EV drivers. Switch through our referral link and you also get £50 credit on your account.
Get an Octopus Quote + £50 Credit →You need a compatible car or charger and a smart meter. Link checked 5 October 2026.