Quick Answer: Yes, EV charging usually costs less than petrol, especially at home. Home charging averages around 8p per mile versus 13p to 17p for petrol or diesel.
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Key Takeaways
- Home charging costs around 8p per mile versus 13p to 17p for petrol or diesel, cutting fuel costs roughly in half.
- Public rapid charging can cost 15p per mile or more, which reduces the savings advantage compared to traditional fuel.
- Smart chargers and off-peak tariffs help drivers maximise savings by charging when electricity rates drop overnight.
EV Charging vs Petrol Costs
Electricity prices move less sharply than petrol or diesel, which means EV running costs stay more stable when fuel prices spike.
Official guidance comparing home charging with petrol and diesel costs across typical UK driving shows clear differences. Home charging a medium-sized EV costs around 8p per mile, compared to 13p to 17p for petrol. Some tariffs can reduce EV charging costs to below 3p per mile.
For a typical driver covering 10,000 miles a year:
- Around £800 spent on home charging
- £1,300 to £1,700 spent on petrol
- Annual savings of £500 to £900, which build up over time
Fuel prices jumped sharply in recent years while household electricity remained relatively stable under the price cap.
This gap between fuel volatility and electricity pricing creates the core savings case for EV drivers who charge at home.
Home Charging vs Public Charging
Where you charge makes the biggest difference to running costs. Home charging delivers the strongest savings, while public rapid charging can cost more than twice as much per mile.
Why Home Charging is Cheap
A home charger paired with an off-peak tariff offers the strongest savings, as:
- Electricity costs less at home than at public charge points
- Overnight rates drop further when demand is lower
- Lower running costs make EV ownership more cost effective over time
HMRC advisory mileage rates for electric vehicles show home charging at 7p per mile and public charging at 15p per mile from March 2026. This confirms that home charging costs roughly half as much as public charging based on current electricity prices.
Overnight tariffs from some suppliers still offer very low rates. These can push costs below 3p per mile when most charging happens during cheaper periods.
Smart chargers handle scheduling automatically. This removes the need to remember when to plug in.
Why Public Charging Can Be Expensive
Fast and rapid public charging often costs more per mile. Operators price electricity higher to cover infrastructure and VAT differences.
HMRC rates highlight the cost gap clearly:
- Public charging at 15p per mile
- Home charging at 7p per mile
- Savings reduce quickly for drivers relying on public infrastructure
This shows how quickly the savings drop for drivers relying on public charging.
Zapmap data shows EV charging shows steady growth in public charging across the UK. There were 86,021 public charge points as of October 2025.
Of these, 17,356 were rapid chargers rated at 50kW or higher. The network is expanding, but public charging still costs more than charging at home.
Rapid charging suits long journeys and emergency top-ups. But frequent use erodes the running-cost advantage that makes EVs cheaper than petrol cars over time.
When EV Charging Saves You Money
Savings work best in certain situations. These are the scenarios where EVs cost less to run than petrol or diesel, and where the financial case makes the most sense for switching.
The strongest savings happen when you can charge at home regularly rather than relying on public infrastructure:
- Charging mostly at home using a dedicated EV charger
- Using overnight or off-peak tariffs to reduce electricity costs
- Driving higher annual mileage to maximise savings
- Avoiding regular use of expensive public rapid chargers
Home access and smart charging deliver the biggest savings. For drivers looking to cut costs, consider installing a smart EV charger. It gives access to cheaper overnight rates and makes charging easier to manage.
Ofgem’s price cap sets standard household electricity rates. From April to June 2026, the unit rate is 27.69p per kWh.
This affects real home charging costs. Drivers on standard tariffs pay more than those using dedicated EV rates.
When EV Charging Might Not Save Money
EVs are not always cheaper to run. Savings drop where drivers lack home charging or where usage patterns suit petrol cars better. Heavy use of rapid public charging raises costs, often close to petrol per mile.
Low annual mileage also limits total savings, making upfront costs harder to justify. Standard electricity tariffs without EV rates reduce savings further. No off-street parking means relying on public charging.
Knowing when EVs genuinely save money helps avoid disappointment after switching from petrol or diesel.
How to Cut EV Charging Costs Further
Smart charging and renewable energy pairing push savings beyond basic home charging rates. These strategies work for drivers who want the lowest possible running costs and greater independence from grid electricity pricing.
Use a Smart Charger and Off-Peak Tariff
Smart chargers schedule charging during cheaper overnight periods, so there is no need to track changing rates. Off-peak EV tariffs can bring costs well below standard electricity prices.
Research published by University of Strathclyde analysing workplace charging found smart charging reduced peak loads by 28% and cut costs and emissions by 9% compared to unmanaged charging.
Separate University of Reading modelling found smart tariffs reduce emissions and perform better than fixed or stepwise tariffs.
The right tariff matters as much as the charger itself because not every smart option delivers equal savings.
Pair Charging with Solar or Battery Storage
Using self-generated electricity reduces reliance on grid prices and increases energy independence. Solar panels produce free electricity during daylight hours while battery storage captures excess generation for overnight EV charging.
Using self-generated electricity cuts reliance on grid prices and improves energy independence. Solar panels generate power during the day, while batteries store excess for overnight EV charging. This setup reduces costs and limits dependence on public charging.
Here are the main strategies for cutting EV charging costs below standard rates:
| Strategy | How It Works | Potential Saving |
|---|---|---|
| Off-peak tariff | Charge during cheaper overnight electricity periods | Up to 50% vs standard rate |
| Smart charger | Automatically schedules charging at the lowest-cost times | Avoids peak-rate charging |
| Solar panels | Generate your own electricity during daylight hours | Reduces reliance on grid energy |
| Battery storage | Stores excess solar energy for later use (e.g. overnight charging) | Further cuts charging costs |
| Avoid rapid charging | Use home charging instead of public rapid chargers for daily use | Up to 50% cheaper than rapid charging |
These approaches stack together, which means combining multiple strategies delivers the biggest total savings. Drivers who charge at home on cheap overnight rates using solar-charged batteries achieve the lowest possible running costs.
Conclusion
EV charging usually saves money when you can charge at home, but public charging reduces the savings advantage. If you are thinking about cutting your running costs, get a free EV charger quote, and we’ll help you choose the right setup for your property and tariff.
FAQs
Is EV charging cheaper than petrol in the UK?
Yes, especially at home. Home charging a medium-sized EV costs around half the price of petrol, with home charging around 8p per mile and petrol or diesel around 13p to 17p per mile.
Does public charging still save money?
Sometimes, but the savings are much smaller. HMRC’s 2026 advisory rate is 15p per mile for public charging compared with 7p per mile at home.
What is the cheapest way to charge an EV?
Home charging on an off-peak tariff is usually the cheapest option. Some suppliers still offer very low overnight rates that can push costs even lower.
Do EV charging costs change with electricity prices?
Yes. Home charging costs depend on your tariff, and Ofgem’s price cap shows how unit rates can shift over time.
Is a home EV charger worth it?
For many drivers, yes. A home charger makes off-peak charging easier, more convenient, and usually cheaper than relying on public charging.