Cost Per Mile: EV vs Petrol and Diesel

An EV charged at home is usually far cheaper per mile than a petrol or diesel car. Charging overnight on an off-peak tariff at around 7 to 10p per kWh, a typical EV doing 3 to 4 miles per kWh costs roughly 2 to 3p per mile. On a standard home rate near 25 to 28p per kWh that rises to around 7 to 9p per mile, and public rapid charging at around 45 to 80p per kWh pushes it higher still. A petrol or diesel car often sits somewhere around 13 to 18p per mile on fuel, depending on economy and pump prices. So the EV advantage is largest when you charge at home, and smallest when you rely on rapid chargers. These are approximate figures, so check current rates and fuel prices. To charge cheaply at home, start with the right cable for your car.

At a glance: rough cost per mile

How do you work out EV cost per mile?

You divide your electricity rate by your car's efficiency in miles per kWh. If you pay 8p per kWh off-peak and your car does 4 miles per kWh, that is roughly 2p per mile. At a standard 28p per kWh with the same efficiency, it is around 7p per mile. So both the tariff and how efficiently your car drives matter. A typical EV manages around 3 to 4 miles per kWh, with smaller, lighter cars and gentle driving toward the higher end.

How does that compare with petrol and diesel?

Petrol and diesel cost per mile depends on fuel economy and pump prices, but many cars land somewhere around 13 to 18p per mile on fuel alone. An EV charged at home off-peak, at roughly 2 to 3p per mile, is dramatically cheaper. Even at a standard home rate of around 7 to 9p per mile, the EV usually wins. The gap narrows only if you depend heavily on public rapid charging, where costs can climb toward petrol territory. Check current fuel prices and rates for your own figures.

When is an EV cheapest per mile?

An EV is cheapest per mile when charged at home overnight on an off-peak EV tariff. That combination of a low rate, around 7 to 10p per kWh, and typical efficiency of 3 to 4 miles per kWh gives roughly 2 to 3p per mile. Drivers who can charge at home therefore see the biggest savings versus petrol or diesel. If you cannot charge at home, your average cost per mile depends more on public pricing.

What if you rely on public rapid charging?

If most of your charging is at rapid public chargers, the cost advantage shrinks. At around 45 to 80p per kWh and 3 to 4 miles per kWh, that works out at roughly 12 to 27p per mile, which can overlap with or exceed petrol running costs. Slower public AC and destination chargers are usually cheaper. For the best economics, charge at home whenever possible and treat rapid charging as a top-up for longer journeys.

Ways to keep EV cost per mile low

• Charge at home overnight on an off-peak tariff
• Drive efficiently to improve miles per kWh
• Keep tyres inflated to the correct pressure
• Use rapid charging only when you need speed

Do running costs tell the whole story?

No, cost per mile only covers energy. Total ownership also involves purchase price, servicing, insurance, tax and depreciation, which vary by model. EVs often have lower servicing and fuel costs but can have a higher upfront price. This guide focuses on the energy cost per mile, which is where EVs usually shine when charged at home. Consider the wider picture, and current rates and prices, before deciding.

Quick tool: compare the yearly running cost against a petrol car with our free EV vs petrol cost calculator.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an EV cost per mile?

Charged at home off-peak at around 7 to 10p per kWh, a typical EV doing 3 to 4 miles per kWh costs roughly 2 to 3p per mile. On a standard home rate near 25 to 28p per kWh it is around 7 to 9p per mile. Public rapid charging costs more. Check current rates for your own figure.

Is an EV cheaper per mile than petrol?

Usually yes, especially when charged at home. Petrol and diesel often cost around 13 to 18p per mile on fuel, while an EV charged off-peak can be roughly 2 to 3p per mile. The EV advantage is largest at home and smallest if you rely on public rapid charging. Check current fuel prices and rates.

How do I calculate my own cost per mile?

Divide your electricity rate by your car's miles per kWh. For example, 8p per kWh divided by 4 miles per kWh is about 2p per mile. For petrol, divide the price per litre by your miles per litre. Using your real tariff, economy and current prices gives the most accurate comparison.

Why is rapid charging so much dearer per mile?

Rapid DC charging costs around 45 to 80p per kWh, several times the off-peak home rate. At 3 to 4 miles per kWh that is roughly 12 to 27p per mile, which can match or beat petrol costs. Rapid chargers are expensive to run, so the price is higher. Use them mainly for long journeys.

Does driving style affect cost per mile?

Yes. Smooth acceleration, gentle braking and correct tyre pressures improve your miles per kWh, so you buy less electricity per mile. A typical EV does around 3 to 4 miles per kWh, and efficient driving pushes toward the higher end. Better efficiency directly lowers your cost per mile whatever your tariff.

Do these figures include all running costs?

No, they only cover energy cost per mile. Total running costs also include servicing, insurance, tax and depreciation, which vary by car. EVs often have lower fuel and servicing costs but a higher upfront price. Treat the per-mile energy figures as approximate and check current rates and prices when comparing.

The headline is simple: charge at home off-peak and an EV is much cheaper per mile than petrol or diesel, but rely on rapid chargers and the gap narrows. To keep your costs low, read our guide to the cheapest time to charge your EV and learn how much electricity an EV uses. To charge cheaply at home, choose the right cable for your car. Check current rates and fuel prices for figures that match your own driving.