Fill in both cars. Replace the example figures with your own quotes.
Petrol car
Electric car
Electric saves £1,960.16
Over 4 years: petrol £7,940.16 (£1,985.04 a year), electric £5,980.00 (£1,495.00 a year).
This compares running costs only, not the price of buying the car or what it's worth when you sell. Public rapid chargers usually cost far more per kWh than charging at home, so use a blended price if you can't charge at home. Check road tax for your exact car on GOV.UK.
What makes the biggest difference
Where you charge matters most. Charging at home on an electric car tariff is usually far cheaper per mile than petrol, while relying on public rapid chargers can wipe out much of the saving. The more miles you drive, the bigger the gap becomes either way.
Insurance and road tax
Electric cars can cost more to insure because repairs and batteries are expensive, so get real quotes for both cars rather than guessing. Electric cars now pay Vehicle Excise Duty, and cars with a list price over the threshold pay an extra yearly charge. Check the exact figure for any car on GOV.UK before you buy. Our electric car insurance guide covers what to look for in a policy.
What this doesn't include
The purchase price, finance, depreciation and the cost of fitting a home charger are left out, because they vary so much. Add them separately if you're deciding which car to buy.
The starting figures are examples, not prices we've checked or quotes. Replace them with figures from your own policy, quote or receipts. Nothing you type is saved or sent anywhere.
Next steps
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