How does the cost of charging an EV compare to the cost of fuelling a petrol car in 2026?

The cost of using public charging is often cited as a barrier to switching to an EV – but analysis by the EV Connect group led by the Energy Saving Trust has shown that the cost of public charging is comparable to petrol and diesel costs. When you use public charging, you’re paying a proportion of the total cost of installing and maintaining that infrastructure in the pence per kWh price. Often, comparisons of home and public charging do not account for the same costs at home.

Charging from your home supply is always going to be cheaper, but if you include all the costs associated with installing and using a home chargepoint, the difference is as follows:

• Home charging averages 7p per mile (£55 per month)

• ‘Standard’ public charging is 16p per mile (£135 per month)

• Refuelling with petrol or diesel is 16p – 17p per mile (£135-£137 per month)

• Using rapid charging exclusively is 24p per mile (£197 per month) – more expensive than using fossil fuels.

The graphic below shows why EV charging costs differ between home and public chargers.

Latest figures also show that filling the average family car now costs £88 as petrol hits 160p a litre.

Following global crude oil spikes past $90 a barrel, UK motorists are facing a sharp rise at the pumps, with petrol reaching 160p per litre and diesel hitting 173.97p.

A single fill-up now costs £88 for petrol and £95.68 for diesel for a 55-litre tank.

The table below from Hippo Leasing shows the cost comparison between fuelling petrol, diesel and electric cars