Prices checked on 8 October 2026.

With fuel bills putting pressure on household budgets, is this the moment to switch to an electric car? Fuel Finder UK reports average prices of 174.9p per litre for petrol and 200.0p for diesel. At those prices, a 50-litre fill costs around £87.45 or £100 respectively. Local forecourt prices will vary.

What could you save?

A petrol car returning 45mpg costs roughly 17.7p per mile at today’s average price. For comparison, an electric car achieving 3.5 miles per kWh, charged at an illustrative home rate of 25p per kWh, costs about 7.1p per mile before charging losses. Over 10,000 miles, that suggests an energy saving of around £1,060.

Charging location matters. At an illustrative public charging price of 80p per kWh, the same EV costs around 22.9p per mile before losses. Check the tariffs you would actually use. HMRC’s current company-car advisory rates also distinguish home and public charging; these are reimbursement benchmarks, not guaranteed personal running costs.

Is now the right time?

If you can charge at home and your regular journeys suit the car’s real-world range, going electric deserves serious consideration. Before buying, compare the purchase price, depreciation, insurance, road tax and charger installation alongside energy costs. For a used EV, check battery health and remaining warranty.

Our advice: choose around your budget and daily driving. Higher pump prices strengthen the case for electric, but thebest choice is the car that fits your life.