Petrol vs Diesel vs Electric Calculator

Compare the running costs of petrol, diesel, and electric cars to see which is cheapest for you. Our calculator helps you understand the real-world costs and potential savings.

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Your Driving Details

Vehicle Efficiency

Fuel & Energy Prices

Purchase Price (Optional)

Annual Running Cost Comparison
Petrol

£1233.54

15.42p per mile

2100 kg CO₂

Diesel

£1083.86

13.55p per mile

1949 kg CO₂

Electric

£560.00

7.00p per mile

0 kg CO₂

Cost Breakdown Bar Chart

Electric
£560
Diesel
£1084
Petrol
£1234

The True Cost of Your Drive

Choosing a new car involves balancing the purchase price with long-term running costs. This Calculator Site tool is designed to demystify one of the biggest ongoing expenses: fuel. While petrol and diesel prices fluctuate, electricity rates for home charging are often more stable and significantly cheaper per mile. Our calculator demonstrates these annual savings clearly.

A major advantage of electric vehicles is their zero tailpipe emissions. A typical petrol car emits significant CO2, while our calculator shows the direct environmental benefit of switching to electric. To understand how these running costs fit into your overall budget, check our Take-Home Pay Calculator.

Don't Forget Total Cost of Ownership

Beyond fuel, consider Vehicle Excise Duty (VED or 'road tax'), servicing, and insurance. EVs are currently exempt from VED and often have lower servicing costs due to simpler mechanics. These factors, while not part of this specific calculation, further strengthen the financial case for electric vehicles over time. You can estimate your VED with our Car Tax (VED) Calculator.

Key Financial & Environmental Metrics

The switch to an EV is not just a financial decision but also an environmental one. The data below highlights the key advantages shown in the calculator results.

~70%

Typical saving on per-mile cost

£0

Annual VED (Road Tax) for EVs

100%

Reduction in tailpipe CO2 emissions

For a detailed look at how fuel prices impact the economy, explore our Crude Oil Price Calculator.

How to use this Calculator Site tool

Enter your annual mileage, your car's efficiency (MPG or miles/kWh), and current fuel/energy prices. The calculator will instantly show the annual running costs for petrol, diesel, and electric options. For a deeper analysis, add the vehicle purchase prices to calculate the break-even point for an EV, showing how many years it will take for fuel savings to cover the higher initial cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

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