What makes up the monthly cost?
Running an electric car each month comes down to three things: electricity, road tax (VED), and from April 2028 a new per-mile charge (eVED at 3p/mile). There is no fuel duty on electricity, no emissions surcharge, and servicing costs are lower because EVs have fewer moving parts.
1. Electricity (the biggest variable)
How much you pay for energy depends almost entirely on where you charge. At 8,000 miles a year (the UK average), here is what a typical mid-range EV averaging 3.5 mi/kWh costs per month under different scenarios:
| Charging method | Pence per kWh | Monthly electricity cost |
|---|---|---|
| Home off-peak (EV tariff) | ~7p | ~£13 |
| Home standard (price-cap rate) | ~24.5p | ~£47 |
| Public AC (slow/destination) | ~45p | ~£86 |
| Public rapid DC | ~79p | ~£150 |
For comparison, a 40 mpg petrol car doing the same mileage costs roughly £140 a month in fuel at 145p per litre.
2. Road tax (VED)
Since April 2025, zero-emission cars pay the standard VED rate of £195 a year (about £16 a month). Previously EVs were exempt, so this is new.
3. The 2028 mileage charge (eVED)
From April 2028 an additional 3p per mile applies to electric cars. At 8,000 miles a year that adds roughly £20 a month. Our eVED explainer covers the detail.
Realistic monthly totals by car
Every EV has different efficiency. A small, light car like the Dacia Spring gets more miles from each kWh than a heavy SUV. Here are approximate monthly costs at 8,000 miles a year on a home off-peak EV tariff (7p/kWh), including VED but before the 2028 eVED:
| Car | Efficiency (mi/kWh) | Monthly electricity | Monthly VED | Monthly total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dacia Spring | ~4.5 | ~£10 | £16 | ~£26 |
| Renault Zoe | ~4.0 | ~£12 | £16 | ~£28 |
| Nissan Leaf 40 kWh | ~3.8 | ~£12 | £16 | ~£28 |
| MG ZS EV | ~3.3 | ~£14 | £16 | ~£30 |
| VW ID.3 | ~3.6 | ~£13 | £16 | ~£29 |
| Tesla Model 3 SR+ | ~3.7 | ~£13 | £16 | ~£29 |
| Tesla Model 3 LR | ~3.5 | ~£13 | £16 | ~£29 |
| Hyundai Kona Electric | ~3.8 | ~£12 | £16 | ~£28 |
These figures use our physics model at 38 mph average speed, 10 degrees C. Actual costs vary with speed, temperature, payload and battery health. Click any car to see your personalised monthly cost.
On a standard price-cap tariff (24.5p/kWh), the electricity portion roughly triples; on public rapids it can match or exceed petrol.
How does this compare to petrol?
A 40 mpg petrol car at 8,000 miles a year costs roughly £140 a month in fuel alone, before road tax. Even adding VED and the future eVED charge, most home-charging EV drivers pay under half that. The gap narrows if you rely on public rapid chargers. Our EV vs petrol cost guide and TCO comparison tool let you model this side by side.
What about insurance, servicing and tyres?
- Insurance: EV premiums vary widely by model. Some small EVs sit in groups as low as 8 to 12, while performance models reach group 48 to 50. See our EV insurance guide for every model's group.
- Servicing: No oil changes, no clutch, no exhaust. Budget roughly £100 to £200 a year for brake fluid, cabin filter, tyre rotation and a check-up.
- Tyres: EV-rated tyres cost roughly the same as standard tyres but may wear faster on heavier cars. Budget around £400 to £600 every 20,000 to 25,000 miles.
How to cut your monthly EV costs
- Switch to an off-peak EV tariff like Octopus Go, Intelligent Go, or OVO Charge Anytime. Overnight rates of 7p/kWh or less cut your electricity bill by 60 to 70% compared with the standard rate. See our EV tariffs compared guide.
- Charge at home whenever possible. Even a standard-rate home charge is cheaper than any public network.
- Precondition while plugged in. Heating the cabin on mains power instead of battery can save 5 to 10% of winter range, which means less energy per mile.
- Drive smoothly at moderate speeds. Motorway driving at 70 mph uses roughly 30 to 40% more energy than 40 mph town driving.
- Check whether you qualify for a home charger grant. The OZEV grant covers up to £350 off installation. See our EV grants guide.
Get your personalised figure
The numbers above are representative. Your actual monthly cost depends on your car, your mileage, your tariff, and whether you have a heat pump or PTC heater. Enter your details on any car page and the physics model calculates your monthly cost to the penny, with a petrol comparator and an honest verdict on whether the EV saves you money. Every assumption is documented on the methodology page.