EV Charging Cost vs Petrol: How Much Do You Save?

For most drivers, charging an EV at home is significantly cheaper per mile than filling a petrol car, especially on an off-peak tariff. The exact saving depends on your electricity rate, your car's efficiency, and current petrol prices, so treat any figure as guidance. As a rough guide, home charging on an off-peak tariff of around 7 to 10p per kWh can cost only a few pence per mile, while a typical petrol car costs noticeably more per mile at the pump. Even on a standard electricity tariff, home charging usually still wins. To pin down your own home charging cost first, see our how much does it cost to charge an EV at home guide.

At a glance: what drives the cost gap

How much cheaper is an EV per mile?

The honest answer is it varies, but home charging usually costs less per mile than petrol. The biggest lever is your electricity tariff. On an off-peak rate of around 7 to 10p per kWh, an efficient EV can cost only a few pence per mile, well below a comparable petrol car. On a standard tariff near 25 to 28p per kWh the gap narrows but home charging typically still wins. Public rapid charging at 45 to 80p per kWh is the exception where costs can approach or exceed petrol.

Why does home charging make the difference?

Home charging unlocks the cheapest electricity, which petrol has no equivalent to. A petrol driver always pays forecourt prices, whereas an EV driver on an off-peak tariff refuels overnight at a fraction of the daytime rate. That is why drivers who can charge at home see the largest savings. Those who rely mainly on public rapid charging pay much more per unit, so their advantage over petrol shrinks. Where you charge matters as much as what you drive.

What about public charging costs?

Public rapid charging is the priciest way to fuel an EV, often around 45 to 80p per kWh, and prices vary widely by network. At the top of that range, cost per mile can get close to petrol for a thirsty session. Rapid charging is best kept for longer journeys when you need speed, not for routine top-ups. Drivers who mix cheap home charging with occasional rapid stops still tend to come out well ahead of petrol overall. Always check current network prices.

What else affects the comparison?

Fuel cost is only part of the picture, so consider the full context.

• Your electricity tariff: off-peak versus standard is the biggest factor
• Car efficiency: miles per kWh for the EV, miles per gallon for the petrol car
• Where you charge: home overnight versus public rapid changes the maths
• Current prices: both electricity and petrol prices move over time
• Charging losses: a small amount of energy is lost during charging

To charge cheaply at home you need the right lead, so browse our Type 2 charging cables page.

Is an EV always cheaper to run than petrol?

Not always, but usually for home chargers. If you can charge at home on an off-peak tariff, the running cost gap over petrol is large. If you must rely on public rapid charging, the gap narrows and can occasionally disappear on the most expensive networks. Fuel is also only one running cost, so weigh it alongside your own driving pattern. For most drivers with off street parking, home charging makes the EV clearly cheaper to fuel per mile.

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

Frequently asked questions

Is it cheaper to charge an EV than buy petrol?

For most home chargers, yes. On an off-peak electricity tariff of around 7 to 10p per kWh, an EV can cost only a few pence per mile, below a comparable petrol car. On a standard tariff the gap is smaller but home charging usually still wins. Public rapid charging is the exception where costs can rise toward petrol.

How much can I save switching from petrol to an EV?

Savings vary with your tariff, car efficiency, and petrol prices, so treat any figure as guidance. The largest savings go to drivers who charge at home on an off-peak tariff, since they access the cheapest electricity. Drivers relying on public rapid charging save less. Work out your own cost per mile for both to compare accurately.

Does public charging cost as much as petrol?

It can, on the most expensive networks. Public rapid charging often runs around 45 to 80p per kWh, and at the top of that range the cost per mile can approach petrol. It is best used for longer trips. Mixing cheap home charging with occasional rapid stops keeps overall costs well below petrol for most drivers.

How do I compare EV and petrol cost per mile?

For the EV, divide your electricity rate per kWh by the car's miles per kWh. For petrol, divide the price per litre by the miles per litre the car returns. Compare the two pence per mile figures. Use your own tariff, efficiency, and current fuel prices, and remember a small amount of energy is lost during charging.

Do EVs cost more overall than petrol cars?

Fuel is usually cheaper for an EV, particularly with home off-peak charging, but total ownership depends on many factors beyond fuel. Focus your comparison on cost per mile for fuel first, since that is where home charging delivers a clear advantage. Look at your own driving pattern and charging access to judge the full picture.

Why do the savings figures vary so much?

Because they depend on several moving parts: your electricity tariff, the car's efficiency, where you charge, and current petrol prices, all of which change. An off-peak home charger and a public rapid charger can see very different results. Always use your own rates and consumption rather than a single headline figure to get an accurate saving.

The bottom line: home charging, especially on an off-peak tariff, usually makes an EV clearly cheaper per mile than petrol, though the saving depends on your tariff, efficiency and current prices. To work out your own numbers, start with our cost per mile EV vs petrol guide, then confirm your charging spend with our how much does it cost to charge an EV at home guide.