How much cheaper is charging an EV than buying petrol?

When charging at home on an average tariff, an EV is about 50-60% cheaper per mile than a petrol car. If you use a special overnight (off-peak) electricity tariff, the savings can be as high as 80-90%, with costs as low as 2-3p per mile in the UK.

Is public DC fast charging expensive?

Public DC fast charging is the most expensive way to charge an EV, and costs can sometimes approach the per-mile cost of petrol, especially at peak times. However, it is still often 10-20% cheaper than petrol and is typically only used for long-distance trips, not daily charging.

What is an off-peak or smart EV tariff?

It's an electricity plan that offers much cheaper rates during specific hours, usually overnight when grid demand is low. These tariffs are designed for EV owners to charge their cars for a fraction of the standard cost. A smart charger is usually required to schedule charging automatically during these cheap periods.

EV Charging Costs vs Petrol 2025: UK & US Data Compared

September 3, 2025

4 min read

In 2025, charging an EV at home is 2-5 times cheaper per mile than fueling a petrol car. In the UK, off-peak tariffs can bring costs down to just 2-3p per mile, versus ~20p for petrol. In the US, the average is ~5 cents per mile for an EV versus ~11 cents for petrol. Public fast charging narrows the gap, but home charging delivers massive savings.

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EV Charging Costs vs Petrol 2025: UK & US Data Compared

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