UK: EV charging vs petrol running costs
Real fuel and electricity prices, compared per 100 miles driven — compiled August 2026.
| Vehicle type | Cost per 100 miles |
|---|---|
| Petrol car | £14.65 |
| Electric car | £9.90 |
Charging an EV at home costs about £4.75 less per 100 miles than driving a petrol car — roughly 32% cheaper, at today’s prices.
Petrol/gas: Petrol at £1.45/litre, typical car economy 45 UK mpg. Source: GlobalPetrolPrices.com UK average, Aug 2026; typical petrol car economy per AA/WhatCar-style estimates. Electricity: 30.0 kWh per 100 miles (typical modern EV, DOE/EPA-based estimate) at £0.33/kWh — Derived from Ofgem’s Q3 2026 medium-band bill (£831 / 2,500 kWh).
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See UK providers →Fuel and electricity prices are live snapshots and change constantly — treat this as a real, dated comparison rather than a permanent figure. EV efficiency (30 kWh/100 miles) is a typical modern-EV estimate, not a single model’s rating — actual results vary by vehicle, driving style and climate. This is not financial or purchasing advice.