Fuel is where electric cars save most, but only if you charge in the right place. Here’s how the numbers compare, using cars on sale now and official efficiency figures.
Pence per mile
| Car | Energy | Cost per mile |
|---|---|---|
| BYD Seal Design (electric) | Home overnight EV tariff, about 8p/kWh | about 2p |
| BYD Seal Design (electric) | Home standard tariff, 26.32p/kWh | about 7p |
| BYD Seal Design (electric) | Public rapid charger, 82p/kWh | about 22p |
| MG ZS Hybrid+ (self-charging hybrid, 55.4 mpg) | Petrol at 140p a litre | about 11.5p |
| Jaecoo 7 1.6T (petrol, 37.7 mpg) | Petrol at 140p a litre | about 17p |
The electric car’s figures use its official 16.6 kWh per 100 km. We’ve used 140p a litre for petrol as an example: check today’s price and scale the petrol figures up or down. All official figures are measured in ideal conditions, so real-world costs are usually higher, especially for electric cars in winter.
Over 10,000 miles a year, that’s roughly £700 for the BYD charged at home on a standard tariff, against about £1,690 for the Jaecoo 7 petrol at 140p a litre.
Road tax (VED)
Since April 2025, electric cars pay road tax like other cars.
- Standard rate: £200 a year from April 2026, for petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric cars alike.
- Expensive Car Supplement: an extra £440 a year for five years on cars with a list price above the threshold. For electric cars the threshold is now £50,000; for others it remains £40,000. That means an electric car like the £45,730 BYD Seal Design avoids the supplement, while a petrol or hybrid car listed at the same price would pay it.
Servicing and wear
Electric cars have far fewer moving parts: no oil changes, spark plugs, clutch or exhaust. Servicing is usually cheaper, and brakes last longer because the car slows itself by regenerating energy. Tyres can wear faster on heavy, powerful electric cars. Hybrids and plug-in hybrids still need engine servicing.
Insurance
Electric cars, and some newer brands without a long parts and repair history, can cost more to insure. Get quotes before you buy.
Our verdict
- Charge at home, ideally overnight? An electric car is almost always the cheapest to run.
- Rely on public rapid charging? Per-mile costs can be higher than a frugal hybrid’s.
- No charging at all? A self-charging hybrid such as the MG ZS Hybrid+ is the low-cost alternative.
For charging options and the home charger grant, see our charging guide. Company car drivers should also read our guide to company car tax.
