EV running cost calculator
What an electric car costs to run over a year. The split between home and public charging changes the answer more than anything else.
How this is calculated
Energy used is your annual mileage divided by miles per kWh. That total is then split between the home rate and the public rate according to the share you enter.
The split is the decisive figure. A driver charging almost entirely at home pays roughly a third of what a driver relying on rapid chargers pays for exactly the same mileage.
Cost per mile is shown in pence so it can be compared directly against a petrol car, where a 45 mpg car at 140p a litre runs at around 14p a mile.
Servicing is generally lower on an electric car because there is no oil, no cambelt and less brake wear from regenerative braking. Tyres often wear faster because of the weight.
Rates used · 2026/27
| Typical EV efficiency | 3.0 to 4.5 miles per kWh |
| Typical home rate | around 25p per kWh |
| Typical rapid charger | 70p to 85p per kWh |
| Off-peak EV tariffs | can fall below 10p per kWh overnight |
Last checked July 2026. Source: HMRC and gov.uk.
Worked example
At 8,000 miles and 3.6 miles per kWh you use about 2,222 kWh a year. Charging 80% at a 24.5p home rate costs £436 and the remaining 20% at 79p costs £351, so £787 of energy, or 9.8p a mile. Add insurance, tax and servicing and the car costs £2,012 a year.
Common questions
Is an EV cheaper to run than petrol?
At home rates, considerably. On public rapid charging the gap narrows to almost nothing. The honest answer depends entirely on whether you have a driveway.
Should I get an EV tariff?
If you can charge overnight, yes. Off-peak EV tariffs run well below the standard rate and can halve the energy cost of the car.
Why is my winter range worse?
Battery chemistry is less efficient when cold and cabin heating draws directly from the battery. A 20% to 30% drop in winter is normal, so consider a lower efficiency figure for a year-round average.
Does an EV pay vehicle tax?
Yes. Electric cars lost their exemption from April 2025 and now pay the standard rate, with the expensive car supplement applying above the list price threshold.