Straight answers to the questions people actually ask before going electric, worked out with the same physics model behind every car page.
Running costs, tariffs, VED and how EVs compare to petrol.
How much does it cost to charge an electric car at home?
On a cheap overnight EV tariff, a full charge of a typical 60 kWh car costs a few pounds — far less than the standard rate.
Is an electric car cheaper than petrol in the UK?
Usually yes if you charge at home off-peak, often only marginally if you rely on public rapids — the tariff decides it.
What is the 3p-per-mile EV road tax coming in 2028?
From the 2028/29 tax year EVs are expected to pay a per-mile charge on top of standard VED — our cost model lets you see its impact.
What's the cheapest way to charge an EV overnight?
A dedicated off-peak EV tariff with a home charger is by far the cheapest — it's what makes EVs cheap to run.
How much does it cost to run an electric car per month?
Most home-charging drivers pay around £30 to £70 a month in electricity plus £16 in VED, far less than the £150+ a typical petrol car costs in fuel alone.
Should I buy an EV if I can only charge in public?
Maybe not on cost alone — without home charging the running-cost advantage shrinks, and we'll tell you honestly when it doesn't add up.
How cold weather, heating and real-world driving affect range.
How much range do you lose in an EV in winter?
Expect a meaningful winter hit — cold air, cabin heating and denser air all cost energy — but a heat pump softens it.
Do heat pumps in EVs actually save range?
Yes — above roughly −5 °C a heat pump does the cabin heating for less than half the energy of a resistive heater, so it protects winter range.
Will cold weather stop my EV charging?
No, but a cold battery charges more slowly on rapids until it warms up — preconditioning helps.
Is it worth preheating your EV in winter?
Yes — warming the cabin while still plugged in spends grid energy instead of range, and it's most valuable on short cold trips.
Home chargers, public networks, speed and cost per charge.
Can I charge an electric car without a driveway?
Yes, but your running cost depends heavily on whether you can reach any off-street or lamppost charging rather than only rapids.
How long does it take to rapid-charge from 20% to 80%?
Roughly the battery energy added divided by the car's real DC charging speed — bigger, faster-charging cars do it in well under an hour.
How much does public rapid charging cost?
Public rapid charging is the most expensive way to fuel an EV — often close to petrol on a per-mile basis once you account for it.
Do you need a home charger installed for an EV?
You don't strictly need one, but a home charger plus an off-peak tariff is what makes an EV genuinely cheap to run.
Battery life, depreciation, insurance and everyday ownership.
Is a used Nissan Leaf battery still any good?
Early Leafs are air-cooled, so they degrade faster than liquid-cooled rivals — check the state of health before you buy.
How far can an electric car really go on the motorway?
Less than the WLTP badge — motorway speeds raise aerodynamic drag sharply, so real motorway range is often well below the headline.
How much battery degradation is normal after 5 years?
A few percent a year is typical for liquid-cooled packs and rather more for air-cooled ones — but it slows down as the pack ages.
Can an electric car tow a caravan?
Some can, but towing roughly halves range — the extra mass and, above all, the caravan's drag cost a lot of energy.
Will an EV cover my commute and the school run?
Almost certainly — everyday mixed-distance driving is exactly where EVs are most comfortable, even in winter.
How accurate is the WLTP range figure?
WLTP is a standardised lab cycle, not a promise — real range is usually lower, especially on the motorway and in winter.
Every answer is backed by the same physics model. Pick a car and see your real range and running cost.
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