Traditional Fuel vs Electric
Is an electric car actually cheaper to run?
We don't answer that for you. Enter your own numbers below and see the difference for yourself, purchase price included, not just fuel versus charging.
Different drivers, different answers. The result depends on your mileage, tariff and car.
Photo: Trevor Littlewood, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Ownership period
Petrol / diesel
Electric
Advanced settings: maintenance, insurance & tax
Petrol / diesel, per year
Electric, per year
5-year ownership result
Petrol / diesel
- Energy / fuel (5yr)
- £7,083.01
- Maintenance (5yr)
- £2,500.00
- Insurance (5yr)
- £3,250.00
- Tax (5yr)
- £950.00
- Running cost total
- £13,783.01
- Purchase price
- £22,000.00
- Total cost
- £35,783.01
Electric
- Charging (5yr)
- £4,032.00
- Maintenance (5yr)
- £1,500.00
- Insurance (5yr)
- £3,500.00
- Tax (5yr)
- £50.00
- Running cost total
- £9,082.00
- Purchase price
- £30,000.00
- Total cost
- £39,082.00
Under these assumptions
The petrol/diesel car costs £3,298.99 less over 5 years
Cost per mile (including purchase price): petrol/diesel £0.89 · EV £0.98
Based on these assumptions, break-even would take approximately 8.5 years, longer than the 5-year period selected.
Total cost over ownership period
These figures are calculated directly from the inputs above using standard arithmetic (no hidden adjustments). The petrol price starts from today's verified UK average; every other figure is a user-editable assumption or typical UK estimate, not a live price. Change any field to see your own comparison.
01Running costs beyond fuel
Maintenance
Maintenance requirements differ by vehicle, mileage and manufacturer. Neither list is exhaustive, and EVs are not maintenance-free.
Petrol / diesel, typically includes
- Engine oil & oil filter
- Air filters
- Spark plugs (petrol)
- Exhaust & emissions components
- Timing belt/chain
- Gearbox servicing
- Brakes
- Tyres
Electric, typically includes
- Tyres
- Brakes (often lower wear, regenerative braking)
- Suspension
- Cabin filter
- Coolant/service items
- Battery health & warranty checks
Enter your own maintenance estimate in the calculator's advanced settings rather than relying on a generic figure. Your actual costs depend on the specific vehicle, its age, and how it's driven.
02How the calculation works
Methodology
Total ownership cost is purchase price plus running costs (energy, maintenance, insurance and tax) multiplied by the ownership period. Running costs depend on annual mileage, efficiency (mpg or kWh/100 miles), energy prices, and your home/public charging mix. Every figure shown is calculated directly from your inputs with no hidden adjustments. Change any input and the results, chart and break-even point update immediately.