Cost & savings
How much does it really cost to run an EV in the UK?
An honest breakdown of UK electric car running costs — charging at home vs public, road tax, servicing, and insurance — so you can see what you'd actually pay.
Key takeaways
- Home off-peak charging is where the big savings come from — often a few pence per mile.
- Public rapid charging can cost roughly the same per mile as petrol.
- EVs now pay road tax (VED), but servicing is typically cheaper than petrol or diesel.
- Insurance can be a little higher — get quotes for specific models before deciding.
"How much does it cost to run an EV?" has one honest answer: it depends almost entirely on how you charge. Let's break the real costs down.
Charging: the number that matters most
Electricity is priced per kWh, and an EV travels roughly 3–4 miles per kWh. The price you pay swings enormously:
- Off-peak home tariff (~8p/kWh): roughly 2–3p per mile — dramatically cheaper than petrol.
- Standard home rate (~27p/kWh): still usually cheaper than petrol, but much less dramatic.
- Public rapid charging (~75p/kWh): around 20p per mile — comparable to, or worse than, an efficient petrol car.
So the same car can be very cheap or fairly expensive to run depending on where you plug in. Put your own figures into our running cost calculator and home charging cost calculator.
Prices are illustrative UK rates and change often — always check current tariffs.
Road tax (VED)
The long-standing perk of free road tax for EVs ended in April 2025. Electric cars now pay standard VED like petrol and diesel. It's a modest annual cost, and pricier EVs can attract the "expensive car" supplement — worth checking for the specific model.
Servicing and maintenance
EVs have far fewer moving parts: no oil changes, no clutch, fewer brake replacements (thanks to regenerative braking). Servicing is generally cheaper than an equivalent petrol or diesel. Tyres can wear a little faster because EVs are heavier and torquey, so budget for those.
Insurance
EV insurance has historically run a bit higher than petrol equivalents — partly down to repair costs and parts availability. The gap varies a lot by model and is narrowing. Always get real quotes for the specific cars you're considering before assuming.
Putting it together
For a home-charging driver on an off-peak tariff doing average-to-high mileage, total running costs are usually clearly lower than petrol or diesel. For a public-charging-dependent, low-mileage driver, the advantage can be marginal.
To see how running costs feed into the bigger picture — including depreciation — read EV vs petrol total cost of ownership, or get a personalised verdict from our free quiz.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to charge an EV at home?
On an off-peak EV tariff (around 8p/kWh), a full charge of a typical 60kWh battery costs roughly £5 and gives around 200+ miles. On a standard rate it's several times more. Use our home charging calculator for your own numbers.
Do electric cars pay road tax in the UK?
Yes. Since April 2025 EVs pay standard Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) like other cars, and more expensive EVs may pay the additional 'expensive car' supplement.
Is EV insurance more expensive?
It can be somewhat higher than an equivalent petrol car, though the gap is narrowing and varies by model. Always get specific quotes before deciding.