The numbers that matter
Driving an electric car costs 2.3p per mile when charged at home on an off-peak tariff, compared with 20.1p for petrol and 21p for diesel, according to Carbon Brief analysis. Even at the standard electricity price cap the figure is still only 7p per mile. That gap has grown because fuel prices have risen faster than the Ofgem-capped electricity rate.
Off-peak tariffs make the biggest difference
The cheapest rates come from dual-rate tariffs that drop overnight. We recently looked at how Fuse Energy is pushing these deals for EV and heat-pump households. The UK government says around 90 % of charging already happens at home, so most drivers can capture the full saving without using public points.
The 2028 road tax changes the maths only a little
From April 2028 battery EVs will pay a per-mile charge expected to be around 3p. The government has said the tax will still leave electric cars cheaper overall than petrol or diesel equivalents. Drivers who charge off-peak will keep the largest advantage.
Who benefits most right now
Anyone with off-street parking and a smart meter or dual-rate tariff can lock in the lowest costs today. Those without access to cheap overnight power or who rely on public chargers will see smaller savings. Check your current tariff and compare against the price cap before deciding whether to switch.
