Are EV Chargers Cheaper Than Petrol and Diesel?

July 14, 2026

Are EV Chargers Cheaper Than Petrol and Diesel? A Complete Cost Comparison

As electric vehicles become more popular across the UK, many drivers are asking an important question: Are EV chargers cheaper than petrol and diesel?

When people ask this, they are usually asking whether charging an electric car costs less than fuelling a petrol or diesel car.

For many drivers, especially those who charge mainly at home, the answer can be yes. However, the actual saving depends on your vehicle's efficiency, electricity tariff, fuel prices, how much you drive and where you charge.

In this guide, we'll compare the cost of charging an electric vehicle with the cost of petrol and diesel and explain how to work out which option is cheaper for you.

The Cost of Charging an Electric Vehicle

Charging an EV at home is one of the main ways drivers can keep running costs down. Instead of paying for fuel every time you fill up, you pay for the electricity used to charge your battery.

The cost depends on several factors, including:

Your electricity tariff
Your EV's efficiency
Your battery size
How much charge you need
When you charge
Whether you charge at home or use public chargers

With a smart EV charger, you can schedule charging for cheaper periods where your electricity tariff offers different rates.

EV Charging Cost Per Mile

The fairest way to compare electricity with petrol or diesel is to look at cost per mile, rather than simply comparing the price of a litre of fuel with the price of a kilowatt-hour of electricity.

For example, an EV that travels around 3.5 miles per kWh would need approximately 2,857kWh of electricity to travel 10,000 miles.

At an electricity rate of 26.11p per kWh, that would be approximately £746 of electricity for 10,000 miles, before charging losses.

Actual costs will vary depending on your vehicle, electricity tariff, charging efficiency, driving conditions and the rate you actually pay for electricity.

A useful calculation is:

Annual charging cost = annual miles ÷ miles per kWh × electricity price per kWh

This gives you a more meaningful comparison than looking at electricity or fuel prices on their own.

Petrol and Diesel Fuel Costs

Petrol and diesel vehicles rely on fuel stations, where prices can change regularly due to market conditions.

The cost per mile depends mainly on:

Your vehicle's fuel economy
The current petrol or diesel price
Your annual mileage
How and where you drive

An efficient petrol or diesel vehicle can still be relatively economical to run, while a less efficient vehicle will cost more to fuel.

For a fair comparison, it is better to calculate the actual cost per mile of your particular vehicle rather than relying on a general average.

Why Home EV Charging Can Save Money

One of the biggest advantages of owning an electric vehicle is the ability to charge at home.

A home EV charger allows you to:

Charge overnight while you sleep
Avoid frequent trips to petrol stations
Take advantage of cheaper electricity tariffs
Control your charging schedule
Monitor your energy usage

For many drivers, this makes home charging both convenient and predictable.

The savings can become greater when you use an off-peak or EV-specific tariff. Electricity prices vary by tariff and can change over time, so your own electricity rate should be used when calculating your charging costs.

Public Charging Can Change the Calculation

Not all EV charging costs the same.

Home charging can be relatively inexpensive, while public charging, particularly rapid charging, can cost considerably more depending on the network and charger.

This means an EV driver who relies heavily on expensive public rapid charging may achieve smaller savings compared with someone who charges mainly at home.

Public rapid charging is particularly useful when travelling longer distances or when you need a quicker top-up. For everyday driving, however, home charging can often be the more economical option.

A Simple 10,000-Mile Example

Looking at annual mileage can make the difference easier to understand.

Electric Car

Assume:

Efficiency: 3.5 miles per kWh
Annual mileage: 10,000 miles
Electricity price: 26.11p per kWh

The vehicle would need approximately 2,857kWh to travel 10,000 miles.

At 26.11p per kWh, that works out at approximately £746, before charging losses.

Petrol Car

For comparison, a petrol car achieving around 45 miles per gallon would need approximately 222 gallons of fuel to travel 10,000 miles.

The actual annual fuel cost depends on the current petrol price.

This demonstrates why cost per mile is the better comparison. The result changes as fuel and electricity prices change, but an efficient EV charged mainly at home can have a significant running-cost advantage.

Electricity Prices Change

Electricity prices are not fixed.

The rate you pay can depend on your tariff, payment method and other factors, and some tariffs offer different prices at different times.

This means you should use the actual electricity rate on your tariff when calculating the cost of charging your EV.

A suitable off-peak or EV-focused tariff may offer lower rates during certain periods, which can reduce the cost of charging when you schedule your vehicle to charge during those times.

Petrol and Diesel Prices Can Also Change

Petrol and diesel prices can also change regularly due to factors such as oil prices, taxes, exchange rates and wider market conditions.

This makes fuel costs difficult to predict over the long term.

EV drivers also face changing electricity prices, but smart charging can help you control when electricity is purchased when your tariff offers different rates.

Are EVs Cheaper to Run?

For many drivers, particularly those who can charge primarily at home, an EV can be cheaper to run than a comparable petrol or diesel car.

However, the saving depends on:

Your vehicle's efficiency
Your electricity tariff
The current price of petrol or diesel
How much you charge at home
How often you use public charging
Your annual mileage

An efficient petrol or diesel car may still be economical to run, while an EV charged mainly on expensive public chargers may not deliver the same level of saving.

The important comparison is therefore not simply:

Electricity vs petrol

It is:

How much does it cost to move your particular car one mile?

EV Maintenance Costs vs Petrol and Diesel Cars

Fuel or electricity is only part of the running-cost picture.

Electric vehicles have fewer moving parts than traditional combustion-engine vehicles, which can mean fewer engine-related maintenance requirements.

An EV does not require some maintenance associated with combustion engines, such as:

Engine oil changes
Exhaust-system maintenance
Some engine-related servicing
Certain transmission-related maintenance

EVs still require regular maintenance and safety checks, including tyres, brakes and other vehicle components.

So when comparing long-term running costs, it is useful to consider both energy costs and maintenance requirements, rather than fuel or electricity alone.

Why a Home EV Charger Makes a Difference

A home charger makes it easier to rely on home electricity rather than public charging.

It also means you can charge while your vehicle is already parked, rather than making a separate trip to refuel.

For drivers who use their car regularly, this can make home charging a practical part of everyday life and help make charging costs easier to manage.

Why Choose a 7.4kW Home EV Charger?

A 7.4kW home EV charger is a popular option for UK homeowners because it provides practical charging for everyday use.

It can offer:

Faster charging than a standard plug socket
Convenient overnight charging
Smart charging capabilities
Reliable home charging
Compatibility with many EVs and plug-in hybrids

A 7.4kW charger is typically suited to homes with a single-phase electricity supply. Higher-powered 22kW AC charging generally requires a suitable three-phase installation and a vehicle capable of accepting that charging rate.

For many households, 7.4kW provides a practical balance between charging speed and everyday home use.

Smart EV Chargers Can Help Reduce Charging Costs

Modern smart EV chargers can give drivers greater control over when charging takes place.

Depending on the charger and electricity tariff, useful features can include:

Scheduled charging
App control
Energy monitoring
Charging notifications
Automatic charging during selected periods

Charging at a cheaper time can reduce the electricity cost of your driving, although the actual saving depends on the tariff available to you.

What Is the Cheapest Way to Power an EV?

For many UK drivers, the most economical approach is:

Efficient EV + home charging + competitive electricity tariff

The biggest potential savings generally come from charging at home rather than relying heavily on expensive public rapid charging.

Your own result will depend on your car, electricity tariff, charging habits and annual mileage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are EV chargers cheaper than petrol and diesel?

The cost of charging an electric vehicle can be lower than the cost of petrol or diesel fuel, particularly when you charge mainly at home using a competitive electricity tariff. The actual saving depends on your vehicle's efficiency, fuel prices, electricity price and how often you use public charging.

Is it cheaper to charge an EV at home or use public chargers?

Home charging is often the more cost-effective option, especially when you can use a suitable off-peak electricity tariff. Public rapid charging can cost more per kWh, although it is useful for longer journeys and faster top-ups.

How much does it cost to charge an EV at home?

The cost depends on how much electricity your vehicle uses and the electricity rate you pay. You can estimate the cost by multiplying the electricity used by the price per kWh.

Charging cost = electricity used × price per kWh

Your vehicle's efficiency can then be used to calculate the approximate cost per mile.

Is an EV cheaper to run than a petrol car?

For many drivers, an EV can be cheaper to run, particularly when it is charged mainly at home. Lower energy costs and potentially lower maintenance requirements can contribute to the overall saving.

Does charging at night make an EV cheaper to run?

It can. Some electricity tariffs offer lower rates during certain overnight or off-peak periods. Smart charging can help schedule your vehicle to charge during those periods, but the actual saving depends on your tariff.

Do EVs cost less to maintain than petrol and diesel cars?

They can. EVs have fewer moving parts and do not require some forms of combustion-engine maintenance, such as engine oil changes and exhaust-system servicing. However, EVs still require normal vehicle maintenance such as tyre, brake and other safety checks.

Is a 7.4kW home charger cheaper to run than public charging?

The charger itself does not determine the electricity price. Your charging cost mainly depends on the electricity tariff you use. A 7.4kW home charger can allow you to make use of your home's electricity supply and, where available, cheaper off-peak rates rather than relying on public charging.

What is the best way to compare EV and petrol running costs?

Compare the cost per mile rather than simply comparing the price of electricity with the price of petrol or diesel. Use your vehicle's real-world efficiency, your actual electricity tariff and the current fuel price to get a more meaningful comparison.

Why Choose NextGen Charge?

At NextGen Charge, we provide professionally installed smart EV charging solutions designed for everyday UK driving.

Our chargers are designed to provide convenient home charging with features such as smart control and scheduled charging.

Whether you're switching from petrol or diesel or upgrading your current charging setup, NextGen Charge can help you choose a suitable home charging solution and arrange professional installation.

Final Thoughts

So, are EV chargers cheaper than petrol and diesel?

For many drivers, yes - especially when the EV is charged mainly at home using a competitive electricity tariff.

The best way to judge the difference is by comparing the real cost per mile of your EV with the cost per mile of your petrol or diesel car.

Home charging can provide lower day-to-day energy costs, while smart charging can help you take advantage of cheaper electricity periods where available.

For drivers who regularly use public rapid chargers, the savings may be smaller. But for people who drive regularly and can charge overnight at home, an EV can offer a compelling combination of lower running costs and convenience.

The key question is not simply whether electricity is cheaper than petrol or diesel.