Electric vehicles vs. fuel powered – which are cheaper to run?
Switching to an electric vehicle can be more expensive to get set-up, but the running costs overtime are usually much cheaper
As the used electric car market gets bigger, it’s becoming much more accessible to get on the road while ditching fossil fuels. An electric vehicle (EV) is a great way to reduce your CO2 output, but could also help you reduce those monthly bills.
Charging your EV doesn’t have to be expensive and can definitely help you dodge the rising costs of fuel. Maintenance is also often cheaper, as fewer oily engine parts mean there’s usually less that can go wrong.
The cost of purchasing a used EV might be a bit higher than a fuel-powered car, but that’s because EVs will usually be newer.
Fuel vs Electric – which is cheaper to buy?
On the current market, you can grab a used fuel-powered model at a cheaper price than you can get a used electric model. This will likely change over time, but electric models are still new and aren’t as widely available.
It might be the better option for some motorists to pay more initially to purchase an electric car, as you can likely save some money on fuel and maintenance in the future.
Opting for a cheap used petrol or diesel model might not be the best decision for the long term, as older models are likely to need more work for wear and tear.
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Weighing up the switch to an electric car
Benefits:
Cheaper to run (including maintenance, charging, etc.)
Can use off-peak charging times between 12am and 5am – you can schedule your car to charge at certain times
Things to consider:
Upfront or monthly costs can be higher
Insurance is traditionally more
Living costs are increasing, so the cost of charging might change
How much does it cost to fit an electric car charging point?
One thing to consider when switching to an EV is the initial cost of fitting a charging point. You might choose to do this if you want a dedicated charging area at your home, and there are government grants that can help you do this.
If you live somewhere without off-road parking or will struggle to charge your car at your address, there are other ways that you can charge up – sometimes even for free!
The initial cost of fitting an at-home charging point currently sits between £800 to £1,500. This doesn’t mean you have to install a charging point, as you can still use a standard EV charger to plug into your sockets at home.
Charging up vs. fuelling up – how much does it cost to charge an electric car?
The cost of charging your electric car will depend on a few factors, including where you’re charging and what kind of charger you’re using.
You can shop around for the electricity tariff with the lowest rates to cut down on the costs of charging at home. You can expect to pay around £15 per full charge at a home charging point, and depending on how often you drive, you should be able to make that last you the full week.
Driving the daily commute or getting the school run done is unlikely to eat through a full charge, so you might not need to plug in that regularly.
In comparison, the price of fuel will depend on the size of your car and whether you favour a petrol or diesel model.
As fuel prices in the UK continue to rise, June 2022 saw the first time in the UK that the cost of filling an average 55-litre family car rose above £100.
Both fuel prices and electricity prices fluctuate regularly, so it’s a good idea to check the rates in your area to make an accurate comparison.
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Will an electric car help me save money?
Choosing an electric car might seem more expensive as you make the switch, but the running costs and upkeep are usually cheaper.
You’ll be able to skip out on the maintenance that comes with oily engines, with fewer parts and functions to worry about. You can also find spots to charge your EV for free or find out the off-peak times in your area to save money on electricity bills.
For those initial costs, there are grants on offer that can help foot the bill. You also get those handy discounts for things like congestion charge.
Are electric cars cheaper to maintain?
There are a few things you get to skip out on if you choose an electric car – no oil changes, fewer engine parts to wear down, and easier maintenance all around. The initial costs of purchasing an electric car might be higher, but you can save money in the long term by choosing to switch.
As electric cars don’t have transmissions, there are no extra moving parts to take care of. You’ll just have the battery, motor, and electronics to think about – much more low maintenance, even in a used model.
How much is electric car maintenance?
Although electric cars are often slightly more expensive to buy, the overall maintenance costs are usually lower. Electric drivetrains are a simpler set-up with fewer moving parts than internal combustion engines, so they require less upkeep overall.
Your electric car will still need maintenance for things like tyres and brakes, so you should factor that in when weighing up your options.
Wear and tear is also inevitable, but you can keep your EV in sparkling condition by always keeping on top of the maintenance and treating it well.
The main things you should make sure to be on top of are:
Tyres
Brakes
Windscreens, wipers and washer fluid
Battery repair or replacement (very rare)
General bits and bobs that all other cars face
Do you have to pay road tax for an electric car?
Electric cars need to pay road tax from April 2025. It's £10 for the first year and the standard rate after that (the standard rate is £190 as of December 2024, but it could change in the future).
Hybrid cars (including plug-in hybrid cars) that produce 50g/km or less CO2 emissions pay the same road tax as of April 2025.
Electric cars and hybrids also have to pay the 'luxury car fee', which is £410 on top of road tax for cars that cost over £40,000 when they were new. The luxury car fee lasts from the second year to the sixth year of registering the car.
Do you have to pay congestion charges in an electric car?
All electric vehicles are currently exempt from the London Congestion Charge and the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) charge. This is ideal if you want to use your electric car for inner-city travelling, and means you could save some money on the daily commute.
Do you have to get an electric car serviced?
Electric cars do still need to be serviced, but you can usually do it every two years depending on the manufacturer.
You’ll usually find that upkeep on an EV is much simpler, as they don’t have as many hot and oily engine parts to go wrong. Servicing will include things like brake fluid changing and a tyre pressure and wear check.
Do you have to MOT an electric vehicle?
You will have to MOT a brand-new EV after the first three years, just like any other car. You’ll skip out on the emissions test, however, because you won’t have any emissions to test! You also won't need to undergo noise testing.
You’ll need to get your electric car MOT’d every year after the first test to ensure it stays in tip-top running condition.
Electric cars vs petrol/diesel cars
The running costs for electric cars are usually lower than fuel-powered alternatives, but they can sometimes cost more to buy new than a similar petrol or diesel model.
EVs have fewer oily engine parts that are likely to go wrong, and you’ll get to skip out on things like oil changes, making them easier to upkeep. Take into account the other discounts (congestion charge exemptions), and you could save yourself some money in the long run.