EV vs petrol/diesel running cost calculator
Compare the running costs of an electric car with a petrol or diesel car. This calculator makes it easy to see the real-world cost of ownership by factoring in energy use, fuel costs, servicing, insurance, tax, and annual mileage. Adjust the sliders to update monthly and yearly costs, long-term savings, and see when an electric vehicle becomes cheaper to run than a petrol or diesel car.
Electric vehicle assumptions
mi per kWh · use your real-world average for accurate EV running costs.
$ per kWh · include your home or off-peak rate to refine EV savings.
Yearly servicing, tyres, and consumables for the EV.
Yearly insurance premium for the EV.
Registration or road tax for the EV.
Petrol / diesel assumptions
Miles per gallon (US) · use combined city/highway for a balanced petrol/diesel estimate.
$ per US gallon · use the pump price you usually pay.
Yearly servicing, tyres, and consumables for the petrol/diesel car.
Yearly insurance premium for the petrol/diesel car.
Registration or road tax for the petrol/diesel car.
Running Costs Compared
EV is cheaper by
$883.69per year
Total saving: $4,418.46 over 5 years.
Breakeven electricity tariff
$0.54/kWh
If your electricity unit rate stays below $0.54/kWh, driving an EV remains cheaper.
Want the precise energy breakeven?
Use the electricity vs fuel price breakeven calculator to see exactly when EV charging beats petrol or diesel for your tariff.
Detailed comparison of running costs by category
Yearly cost breakdown
Side-by-side view of yearly running costs.
EV yearly cost
$1,860.00
Energy: $960.00 · Other: $900.00
Petrol/diesel yearly cost
$2,743.69
Fuel: $1,463.69 · Other: $1,280.00
| Cost type | EV annual | EV total | Petrol/Diesel annual | Petrol/Diesel total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Fuel / Energy | $960.00 | $4,800.00 | $1,463.69 | $7,318.46 |
Maintenance | $350.00 | $1,750.00 | $450.00 | $2,250.00 |
Insurance | $550.00 | $2,750.00 | $650.00 | $3,250.00 |
Road Tax | $0.00 | $0.00 | $180.00 | $900.00 |
Total running costs | $1,860.00 | $9,300.00 | $2,743.69 | $13,718.46 |
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EV vs Petrol/Diesel Car Running Cost Comparison
Use this EV vs petrol/diesel running cost calculator to quickly compare ownership costs. Enter your details above to see how much you might spend or save each year and over time by switching to an electric vehicle. The calculator covers your annual energy or fuel costs, servicing, maintenance, insurance, and road tax.
Adjust the inputs to reflect your driving habits and car details. If you drive many miles each year, an electric car can often save you more due to lower electricity rates and reduced maintenance. For lower mileage, efficient petrol cars may remain competitive. The calculator shows annual and total costs, helping you see when an EV could become cheaper for your situation.
What this calculator compares
- Electricity or fuel costs based on your actual mileage and car efficiency
- Regular servicing, tyres, and routine maintenance costs
- Insurance premiums and annual road tax for both electric and petrol/diesel cars
- Ownership period so you can compare short-term and long-term expenses
How to use the results
- The summary shows which car costs you less each year
- The table breaks down all main costs by category and timeline
- You can copy the results into a personal budget, car finance application, or fleet plan
How accurate are these running cost estimates?
The calculator uses up-to-date energy tariffs, average UK petrol/diesel prices, real-world servicing intervals, and typical insurance costs. Your actual expenses may vary depending on your vehicle and driving habits, but this gives you a realistic starting point to compare electric cars against petrol or diesel.
Which running costs does the EV calculator include?
The tool covers electricity or fuel, maintenance, insurance, and road tax. You can change the electricity tariff to reflect home charging or public rapid charging. Maintenance costs can also be adjusted to match your own service plan or usage.
Does it show both yearly and lifetime savings?
Yes. Select the number of years you plan to own the car (1–10 years). The breakdown shows annual spending and total costs over your chosen period, making it easy to see when switching to electric could save you money.
Tips for getting the most accurate comparison
Track your real mileage for a few months and keep track of fuel or charging bills. Add any workplace or public charging rates if you use them. If you finance your car, remember to add loan payments or incentives to these running costs for a complete picture.