Calculate your savings, breakeven point, and environmental impact when switching from petrol/diesel to electric.
Charging costs vary by location and time. At home on an off-peak tariff (like Octopus Go), it costs around 8p per kWh, meaning a typical 4-mile journey costs just 8p (approx. 2p per mile). Public rapid chargers cost about 75p/kWh. For a typical EV doing 10,000 miles/year, home charging costs £200-400 annually vs £1,500-2,000 for petrol.
Yes, EVs are significantly cheaper to run. Electricity costs 3-4p per mile (home charging) vs 12-18p per mile for petrol/diesel. EVs also have 70% lower maintenance costs (no oil changes, exhausts, or clutches). Most drivers save £800-1,500 per year on running costs alone.
Breakeven time depends on your annual mileage and the EV price premium. High-mileage drivers (15,000+ miles/year) typically break even in 3-4 years. Average drivers (10,000 miles/year) break even in 4-6 years. Use our calculator above to get your exact breakeven point based on your driving habits.
Modern EVs achieve 3.0-4.5 miles per kWh in real-world conditions. A 60kWh battery typically gives 200-250 miles of range. City cars (Corsa-e, Zoe) get 4.0-4.5 mi/kWh, while larger SUVs (Model Y, EV6) achieve 3.0-3.5 mi/kWh. Winter weather can reduce range by 15-20%.
If you drive over 10,000 miles/year, have access to home charging, and your current car does less than 50 MPG, switching to electric will likely save you money within 3-5 years. The higher your annual mileage and fuel costs, the faster you'll recoup the EV purchase premium. Use our calculator above to see your exact breakeven point.
Yes. While EVs cost more upfront (£3,000-8,000 premium), you save £800-1,500/year on fuel and maintenance. Over a 5-year ownership period, most EV owners save £4,000-7,500 total. The savings are highest for drivers with high annual mileage, poor MPG current cars, and access to cheap home charging.
Thinking about switching to electric? Cal's mapped out when game-changing tech like V2G (sell power back to the grid), wireless charging, and solid-state batteries will arrive in the UK. See if it's worth waiting or switching now!
📅 Explore the EV Future Timeline →Our calculator uses UK average costs for electricity, petrol, diesel, insurance, and tax as of 2025. Results are estimates based on your inputs and actual savings will vary depending on your specific circumstances, driving habits, electricity tariff, and local fuel prices. For the most accurate results, use your actual electricity rate from your energy bill.
The calculator includes fuel/charging costs, road tax (VED), insurance differences, and depreciation over your chosen time period. It accounts for annual mileage, charging efficiency losses (10% typical), and realistic mpg figures. The Octopus tariff integration shows savings with time-of-use EV tariffs like Intelligent Octopus Go.
You can import live Octopus Energy tariff rates from our Octopus calculator to see real savings with EV-specific tariffs. Tariffs like Intelligent Octopus Go offer rates as low as 7p/kWh during off-peak hours, significantly reducing charging costs compared to standard electricity rates. This integration shows your actual potential savings.
The breakeven point depends on the upfront cost difference between EV and petrol/diesel, annual mileage, and running cost savings. High-mileage drivers (15,000+ miles/year) typically break even within 3-5 years. With home charging and cheap overnight tariffs, some drivers see payback in 2-3 years. The calculator shows your personalized breakeven timeline.
Currently the calculator focuses on fuel/charging, tax, and insurance costs. EVs typically have lower maintenance costs (no oil changes, fewer brake replacements due to regenerative braking, simpler drivetrains) but this isn't yet factored into the calculations. Adding maintenance would show even greater EV savings over time.