Is an Electric Car Cheaper Than a Petrol Car?
At Bob Davies Car Sales, we stock a wide range of used electric and petrol cars, so we’re often asked: is an electric car actually cheaper to own?
The honest answer is: an electric car can be cheaper — but it depends how (and where) you charge, how many miles you do, and what you pay upfront.
Let’s break it down in plain English.
1) Day-to-day running costs: EV usually wins (if you can charge at home)
For most drivers, the biggest “wow” moment with an EV is the cost per mile.
A common comparison used in 2026-style examples is:
Petrol: around 14p–16p per mile
EV (home charging): often around 3p–7p per mile depending on tariff and efficiency
That gap is mainly because home electricity (especially off-peak) is dramatically cheaper than petrol per unit of “moving the car forward”.
The takeaway:
If you can regularly charge at home, EV running costs are usually lower.
2) Public charging changes everything (and can flip the result)
Here’s the catch: public rapid charging is expensive compared to home charging.
Some sources put public charging broadly around £0.55–£0.81 per kWh, which can push EV cost per mile up to (or above) petrol levels.
So if you don’t have off-street parking and expect to rely on rapid chargers most of the time, an EV may be no cheaper (and occasionally more expensive) than petrol on energy costs alone.
The takeaway:
EVs are usually cheapest when you home charge most of the time.
3) Servicing, maintenance and reliability: EV can be cheaper over time
Electric cars have fewer moving parts (no oil changes, fewer filters, no clutch, etc.). That often means lower routine servicing costs, though tyres can be a little higher due to weight and torque.
You still have:
Tyres
Brakes (often last longer due to regen braking)
Suspension wear items
MOTs (once the car is 3 years old)
The takeaway:
For many owners, EV maintenance is simpler and can be cheaper in the long run.
4) Road tax (VED) and rules: check what applies to your car
Historically, electric cars have usually been cheaper (or even £0) for road tax compared with petrol and diesel, which is one of the reasons they’ve been attractive to run.
However, VED rules have changed and continue to evolve, and what you pay can depend on the car’s first registration date and the latest government policy updates, so it’s worth checking what applies to the specific vehicle you’re considering (especially if you’re comparing a newer EV with an older petrol).
The takeaway:
Don’t assume “EV = no road tax” — always check the current position for the exact vehicle you’re considering.
5) The big one: purchase price and depreciation
This is where the comparison gets more nuanced.
New EVs can cost more than petrol equivalents.
Used EVs can be excellent value, but it’s important to understand:
battery condition/range expectations
your charging setup
your typical journeys
A petrol car might be cheaper to buy, but an EV can claw that back if you do decent mileage and charge at home.
The takeaway:
The cheapest overall choice is often the one that matches your lifestyle, not the one with the lowest sticker price.
Quick “Rule of Thumb” Checklist
An EV is more likely to be cheaper than petrol if you:
can charge at home (or at work) most of the time
do moderate-to-high mileage
can access an off-peak electricity tariff
mainly drive local and regional routes
A petrol car may be cheaper if you:
will rely heavily on public rapid charging
do very low annual mileage
need the lowest upfront cost and don’t want to install a home charger
Want help choosing the right used car for your budget?
If you tell us your mileage and charging situation, we’ll help you choose the right vehicle for you — visit our showroom or start by browsing our used cars.