Is a Used Electric Car Cheaper to Run Than Petrol?

Usually yes, if you can charge at home. Electricity on an off-peak home tariff normally costs much less per mile than petrol, and electric cars need less routine servicing. The gap narrows if you rely on public rapid chargers, and electric cars now pay road tax, so it is worth running the numbers for your own mileage.

How do charging costs compare with petrol?

The fairest way to compare is cost per mile, using your own prices:

• Petrol: a car averaging 45mpg covers roughly 10 miles per litre, so its cost per mile is about the pump price divided by ten.

• Electric: divide the price you pay per kWh by the miles the car covers per kWh. Many small and mid-size electric cars manage three to four miles per kWh in mild weather, and less in winter.

Off-peak home tariffs are usually a fraction of the price of public rapid charging, which is why home charging makes the biggest difference. Our running cost calculator lets you put in your own mileage and prices, and our guide to home and public charging explains the options.

Is an electric car cheaper to service?

Generally, yes. There is no engine oil, oil filter, spark plugs, cambelt or exhaust to look after, and regenerative braking means pads often last longer.

Electric cars still need tyres, brake fluid, cabin filters, suspension checks and an MOT once they are three years old. Brakes that are used less can corrode, so they still need inspecting and cleaning, and heavier cars can wear tyres faster. Our service centre looks after electric and hybrid cars as well as petrol and diesel.

Do electric cars pay road tax now?

Yes. Electric cars have paid vehicle tax since 1 April 2025, including older ones. For the year from 1 April 2026 the standard rate is £200, and electric cars registered on or after 1 April 2025 pay £10 for their first year. Those with a list price over £50,000 also pay the expensive car supplement for five years from the second year. The details are on GOV.UK.

The government has also proposed a pay-per-mile charge from 1 April 2028 of 3p a mile for battery electric cars and 1.5p for plug-in hybrids. It still needs legislation, so treat it as a proposal for now. Road tax is no longer a big point of difference between petrol and electric.

Does the Sheffield Clean Air Zone make a difference?

Not for private cars. Sheffield's zone charges older vans, taxis, buses, lorries and some pick-ups, but cars that are not taxis or private hire vehicles do not pay, whatever their fuel. Rules elsewhere vary, so see our guide to clean air zones and ULEZ before a trip.

What about depreciation and insurance?

Depreciation is often the biggest cost of all. Many electric cars lost value quickly when new, so a three or four-year-old example can be good value. The other side is that it may keep losing value while you own it. Our guide to car depreciation explains what drives it.

Insurance varies by model. Some electric cars sit in higher groups because of repair costs, so get quotes for the exact car before you commit.

Who saves the most with a used electric car?

• Drivers with off-street parking who can charge at home overnight

• Regular commuters, such as Barnsley to Sheffield, Leeds or Doncaster

• People who only occasionally need rapid chargers on long trips

If you cannot charge at home and do high mileage on rapid chargers, the saving can shrink to very little, and a hybrid may suit you better.

What should I check on a used electric car?

• A battery health report showing how much capacity is left

• How much of the manufacturer's battery warranty remains

• Service history, including brake and coolant checks

• That the charging cables are present and in good condition

Our guide to checking battery health goes into more detail, and the EV hub collects our electric car guides in one place.

Common questions

Is a used electric car worth it if I cannot charge at home?

It can be if you have cheap charging at work or nearby slower chargers. If you would mostly use rapid chargers, compare the cost per mile carefully with a petrol or hybrid car first.

Do electric cars cost more to insure?

Some do. It depends on the model, its insurance group and your circumstances, so compare quotes before buying.

Will a pay-per-mile charge cancel out the savings?

It would narrow the gap. To see the effect, add the proposed 3p a mile to your electric cost per mile and compare it with your petrol cost per mile.

Looking at a used electric car in Barnsley?

Browse the cars in stock at anycolourcar.com in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, or find out what your current car is worth with sell or part exchange. Call Sales on 01226 574410, or our service centre on 01226 574321.

This guide is general information, not financial advice. Updated October 2026.