sohpassCheck a battery

How much does it cost to charge an electric car?

Charged at home, a used electric car costs between £5.42 and £20.97 of electricity per 100 miles depending on the model, against about £20.59 of fuel for a recent petrol car. The details model by model, and how each figure is worked out.

Three things to know before reading the figures

  • These amounts apply to charging at home: it is the only electricity price for which an official source publishes an average.
  • Real-world consumption is higher than the WLTP figure. The top of each range adds 25%, the gap measured on tens of thousands of cars; winter and motorway driving widen it further.
  • Public charging prices are not given here. They vary too much from one operator to another, and no official source publishes an average.

Your petrol car against an electric one: run the numbers

Enter the fuel economy of your current car and the efficiency of the electric car you have in mind. The fuel price is this week’s average and the electricity price the Ofgem cap: change them if yours differ. Nothing you type leaves your browser.

Petrol or diesel car

38.7 mpg (7.3 L/100 km): the real-world average of recent petrol cars.

This week’s average price, recorded on 12 October 2026.

Electric car

From the car’s or the charger’s display, ideally over several months.

This figure is…

Average for a private car: 7,100 miles.

Enter a consumption figure and a price for each car: the result appears straight away.

Show the working

15 to 25% measured on 58,000 cars (TNO 2025); winter and motorway driving widen it.

Sources: annual mileage, Department for Transport, National Travel Survey 2024 (7,100 miles per car); electricity, Ofgem Energy Price Cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026, direct debit, Great Britain average, no VAT; fuel, weekly road fuel prices from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), prices of 12 October 2026; reference consumption, JRC 2025 (on-board meters of 7.7 million petrol cars); real-world gap, TNO 2025 and ICCT 2025; servicing, ADAC (January 2026) and Roole Data (2024). Checked on 5 October 2026.

The cost per 100 miles, model by model

From the bottom to the top of the range: the most efficient version under WLTP, then the least efficient in real-world use.

ModelYearsWLTP (miles/kWh)Electricity per 100 miles
Alfa Romeo Junior Elettricasince 20243.3 – 4.1£6.35 – £10.06
Alpine A290since 20243.7 – 3.9£6.69 – £8.84
Alpine A390since 20253.0 – 3.3£7.92 – £11.01
Audi Q4 e-tronsince 20213.0 – 4.2£6.27 – £11.07
Audi Q6 e-tronsince 20243.2 – 4.0£6.61 – £10.32
Audi Q8 e-tron2023 – 20242.1 – 3.2£8.26 – £15.35
Audi e-tron2019 – 20222.2 – 3.0£8.85 – £15.25
Audi e-tron GTsince 20212.8 – 3.5£7.54 – £11.70
BMW i32013 – 20223.7 – 4.1£6.48 – £8.79
BMW i4since 20212.8 – 4.1£6.40 – £11.91
BMW i5since 20233.0 – 4.2£6.23 – £11.01
BMW i7since 20222.6 – 3.4£7.79 – £12.60
BMW iXsince 20212.5 – 3.2£8.22 – £12.97
BMW iX1since 20223.4 – 4.4£6.01 – £9.58
BMW iX2since 20243.5 – 4.4£6.01 – £9.37
BMW iX3since 20203.2 – 3.4£7.84 – £10.32
BYD Atto 3since 20223.5 – 3.9£6.78 – £9.42
BYD Dolphinsince 20233.9£6.73 – £8.42
BYD Sealsince 20233.4 – 3.7£7.03 – £9.64
Citroën C-Zero2010 – 20203.7£7.20 – £9.00
Citroën ë-Berlingosince 20212.9 – 3.5£7.62 – £11.28
Citroën ë-C3since 20243.6 – 3.8£6.99 – £9.16
Citroën ë-C4since 20203.7 – 4.2£6.23 – £8.90
Citroën ë-C4 Xsince 20234.1 – 4.3£6.14 – £8.10
Citroën ë-Jumpysince 20202.3 – 2.6£10.08 – £14.61
Citroën ë-SpaceTourersince 20202.2 – 2.6£10.17 – £14.72
Cupra Bornsince 20213.5 – 4.2£6.31 – £9.48
Cupra Tavascansince 20243.4 – 4.1£6.40 – £9.58
DS DS 3 E-Tensesince 20193.5 – 4.1£6.48 – £9.48
Dacia Springsince 20214.3 – 4.6£5.72 – £7.68
Fiat 500esince 20204.2 – 4.8£5.51 – £7.89
Fiat 600esince 20234.1 – 4.1£6.40 – £8.05
Fiat Grande Pandasince 20253.7 – 3.7£7.07 – £8.90
Fiat e-Doblòsince 20222.8 – 3.5£7.62 – £11.60
Fiat e-Ducatosince 20212.0 – 2.4£11.10 – £16.52
Ford E-Transitsince 20221.6 – 2.4£11.01 – £20.91
Ford Explorer EVsince 20243.6 – 4.3£6.14 – £9.16
Ford Mustang Mach-Esince 20212.9 – 3.8£6.99 – £11.22
Honda e2020 – 20243.5 – 3.6£7.29 – £9.48
Hyundai Instersince 20244.2 – 4.3£6.06 – £7.89
Hyundai Ioniq 5since 20213.3 – 4.0£6.61 – £10.11
Hyundai Ioniq 6since 20223.3 – 4.6£5.68 – £9.90
Hyundai Ioniq Electric2016 – 20224.5£5.85 – £7.31
Hyundai Kona Electric2018 – 20233.7 – 4.3£6.06 – £8.79
Hyundai Kona Electric (2023)since 20233.7 – 4.3£6.18 – £8.90
Jaguar I-Pace2018 – 20242.5 – 2.8£9.32 – £13.34
Jeep Avengersince 20233.9 – 4.0£6.52 – £8.42
Kia EV3since 20243.8 – 4.2£6.31 – £8.58
Kia EV5since 20253.3 – 3.7£7.16 – £9.85
Kia EV6since 20213.0 – 3.8£6.99 – £10.91
Kia EV9since 20232.7 – 3.2£8.26 – £12.07
Kia Niro EVsince 20223.8 – 4.0£6.65 – £8.58
Kia Soul EV2014 – 20194.0 – 4.0£6.61 – £8.31
Kia e-Niro2018 – 20223.9 – 4.1£6.48 – £8.42
Kia e-Soul2019 – 20224.0 – 4.0£6.61 – £8.31
Leapmotor T03since 20243.8£6.90 – £8.63
Lexus UX 300esince 20203.6 – 3.7£7.07 – £9.05
MG MG4since 20223.3 – 3.9£6.78 – £9.90
MG MG5since 20223.4 – 3.6£7.41 – £9.74
MG Marvel Rsince 20213.0 – 3.2£8.22 – £11.07
MG ZS EVsince 20193.3 – 3.6£7.33 – £9.85
Mazda MX-30since 20203.3 – 3.5£7.58 – £10.06
Mercedes-Benz EQAsince 20213.3 – 4.3£6.10 – £10.11
Mercedes-Benz EQBsince 20213.2 – 4.1£6.44 – £10.17
Mercedes-Benz EQC2019 – 20242.5 – 2.9£9.02 – £13.24
Mercedes-Benz EQEsince 20222.6 – 4.0£6.65 – £12.60
Mercedes-Benz EQSsince 20213.2 – 3.8£6.86 – £10.38
Mercedes-Benz EQVsince 20202.1 – 2.4£11.14 – £15.67
Mercedes-Benz eVitosince 20192.1 – 2.9£9.19 – £15.99
Mini Acemansince 20243.8 – 4.4£5.93 – £8.68
Mini Cooper Esince 20244.3 – 4.4£5.97 – £7.57
Mini Cooper SE2020 – 20243.5 – 4.1£6.44 – £9.32
Mini Countryman Esince 20243.4 – 4.2£6.23 – £9.80
Mitsubishi i-MiEV2010 – 20203.7£7.03 – £8.79
Nissan Ariyasince 20223.1 – 3.5£7.45 – £10.54
Nissan Leaf2010 – 20243.0 – 3.6£7.24 – £10.91
Nissan Micrasince 20254.2 – 4.4£6.01 – £7.78
Nissan Townstar EVsince 20222.9 – 3.5£7.62 – £11.38
Nissan e-NV2002014 – 20222.4£10.97 – £13.71
Opel Ampera-e2017 – 20193.9£6.69 – £8.37
Opel Astra Electricsince 20234.0 – 4.2£6.27 – £8.15
Opel Combo-esince 20212.9 – 3.5£7.62 – £11.22
Opel Corsa-esince 20193.7 – 4.4£6.01 – £8.90
Opel Mokka-esince 20213.4 – 4.1£6.44 – £9.80
Opel Vivaro-esince 20202.2 – 2.6£10.08 – £14.77
Peugeot e-2008since 20193.9 – 4.1£6.44 – £8.42
Peugeot e-208since 20193.9 – 4.4£5.93 – £8.52
Peugeot e-3008since 20243.4 – 3.7£7.07 – £9.58
Peugeot e-308since 20234.0 – 4.2£6.31 – £8.21
Peugeot e-5008since 20243.3 – 3.5£7.50 – £10.11
Peugeot e-Expertsince 20202.2 – 2.6£10.08 – £14.72
Peugeot e-Partnersince 20212.8 – 3.4£7.84 – £11.81
Peugeot e-Riftersince 20213.0 – 3.4£7.75 – £11.12
Peugeot iOn2011 – 20203.7£7.20 – £9.00
Polestar 2since 20203.6 – 4.2£6.27 – £9.11
Porsche Taycansince 20192.5 – 3.9£6.82 – £13.13
Renault 4 E-Techsince 20253.9 – 4.2£6.27 – £8.42
Renault 5 E-Techsince 20244.3£6.10 – £7.62
Renault Kangoo E-Techsince 20213.1 – 3.2£8.13 – £10.70
Renault Kangoo Z.E.2011 – 20213.3 – 3.5£7.62 – £9.95
Renault Master E-Techsince 20242.4 – 3.0£8.90 – £13.77
Renault Master Z.E.2018 – 20231.6 – 1.9£13.60 – £20.97
Renault Mégane E-Techsince 20223.9 – 4.0£6.52 – £8.52
Renault Scénic E-Techsince 20243.5 – 3.8£6.90 – £9.42
Renault Twingo E-Tech2020 – 20243.9£6.78 – £8.47
Renault Zoe2012 – 20243.5 – 3.6£7.33 – £9.48
Smart #1since 20223.4 – 3.7£7.12 – £9.64
Smart #3since 20243.5 – 3.8£6.90 – £9.32
Smart EQ Forfour2017 – 20213.3 – 3.8£6.95 – £10.11
Smart EQ Fortwo2017 – 20243.3 – 3.9£6.78 – £9.85
Tesla Model 3since 20193.7 – 4.7£5.59 – £8.84
Tesla Model Ssince 20123.3 – 3.6£7.41 – £9.90
Tesla Model Xsince 20163.0 – 3.4£7.75 – £11.01
Tesla Model Ysince 20203.6 – 4.0£6.65 – £9.16
Toyota Proace Electricsince 20202.2 – 2.6£10.12 – £14.93
Toyota bZ4Xsince 20223.7 – 4.5£5.89 – £8.79
Volkswagen ID. Buzzsince 20222.7 – 3.3£7.92 – £11.97
Volkswagen ID.3since 20203.7 – 4.3£6.14 – £8.95
Volkswagen ID.4since 20203.2 – 3.9£6.73 – £10.32
Volkswagen ID.5since 20223.4 – 4.1£6.44 – £9.58
Volkswagen ID.7since 20233.4 – 4.6£5.76 – £9.74
Volkswagen e-Golf2014 – 20203.9 – 4.0£6.52 – £8.42
Volkswagen e-up!2013 – 20234.2 – 4.3£6.06 – £7.89
Volvo C40 Rechargesince 20212.8 – 3.8£6.86 – £11.81
Volvo EX30since 20233.3 – 3.7£7.20 – £9.90
Volvo XC40 Rechargesince 20202.5 – 3.7£7.03 – £13.24
Škoda Citigo e iV2019 – 20204.8 – 4.9£5.42 – £6.83
Škoda Elroqsince 20243.6 – 4.1£6.44 – £9.16
Škoda Enyaqsince 20203.3 – 4.3£6.14 – £9.85

WLTP consumption not recorded, or only under the old NEDC cycle, which is not comparable: Citroën Ami, Mercedes-Benz Classe B Electric Drive, Nissan Leaf (2025), Renault Fluence Z.E., Renault Twizy. No figure rather than a guess.

How each figure is calculated

Consumption is the WLTP figure, taken from the manufacturer’s documents or, failing that, from the European registration database. It already includes charging losses: it is the energy drawn from the grid, not the energy that goes into the battery.

The electricity price is £0.2632 per kWh, the average unit rate under the Ofgem price cap.

Real-world use adds 25% to the top of the range: the average gap between the WLTP figure and the energy actually billed at the charger, measured on 58,000 electric cars tracked in the Netherlands.

Petrol is costed at 38.7 mpg (7.3 L/100 km), the average real-world consumption measured by the on-board meters of 7.7 million recent European cars, at the week’s average price of unleaded petrol published by the UK government (DESNZ): £1.753 a litre on 12 October 2026.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to charge an electric car?

At home, between £5.42 and £20.97 per 100 miles depending on the model, under the Ofgem price cap. A full charge is worked out the same way: the battery capacity in kWh multiplied by the price per kWh, plus charging losses.

And at a public charger?

The price depends on the operator, the charger’s power and any subscription. No official source publishes an average, hence no figure here.

Why is the real-world cost higher than the WLTP figure?

The test cycle is driven at moderate speeds in mild temperatures. On the road, motorways, cold weather and heating push consumption up: by 15 to 25% on average according to the most recent measurements.

How much do you save compared with a petrol car?

With petrol at £1.753 a litre, a recent petrol car costs about £20.59 of fuel per 100 miles. Charged at home, an electric car costs between £5.42 and £20.97: the difference amounts to several pounds every 100 miles.

Embed this calculator on your website

Blog, forum, dealership, garage website: paste this code into a page and the calculator appears there with this week’s prices, with nothing to keep up to date. It fits the page width and sets its own height. The only condition: the credit line linking to this page stays visible.

<iframe id="sohpass-cout" src="https://www.sohpass.com/widget/en/cout-recharge" title="Your petrol car against an electric one: run the numbers" width="100%" height="1100" style="border:0;max-width:100%" loading="lazy"></iframe>
<script>addEventListener("message",function(e){if(e.origin==="https://www.sohpass.com"&&e.data&&e.data.sohpassHauteur){document.getElementById("sohpass-cout").style.height=e.data.sohpassHauteur+"px"}})</script>

Preview the calculator on its own

Sources: consumption from the manufacturer or the European registration database (EEA); electricity: Ofgem Energy Price Cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026, direct debit, Great Britain average, no VAT (announced 26 August 2026); real-world gap: TNO 2025 and ICCT 2025; petrol: JRC 2025 and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) weekly road fuel prices. Checked on 21 September 2026.