Carbon Brief · Climate & nature

EVs Nine Times Cheaper to Drive Than Petrol/Diesel in UK Amid Fuel Price Surges

Analysis by Carbon Brief reveals that driving an electric vehicle (EV) in the UK is now up to nine times cheaper than using petrol or diesel, driven by recent escalations in fossil fuel prices.

Diesel prices rose 38% to £1.96/litre, petrol 31% to £1.72/litre, due to oil prices exceeding $100/barrel amid Middle East tensions and attacks on Russian refineries.

Driving a diesel car costs 21p/mile, petrol 20.1p/mile. Charging an EV off-peak costs only 2.3p/mile.

Even charging at the domestic price cap costs around 7p/mile, still three times cheaper than petrol or diesel.

UK drivers could save £80 by charging an EV at home versus filling a petrol car's tank. Annual fuel savings for EV drivers are £1,200.

Petrol cars are 55% of UK vehicles, EVs 6%. EV sales are rising, with 30% of new cars sold in August being battery EVs.

About 90% of EV charging occurs at home. A planned pay-per-mile tax from April 2028 (3p/mile) is unlikely to negate the cost advantage.

AI-samenvatting op basis van de bron.