Electric vs Petrol
Purchase Cost
How much does an electric car cost?
CheckFuelPrices Editorial
Expert Written • 4 industry sources
New electric cars in the UK currently range from around £20,000 for entry-level models to over £80,000 for premium vehicles. The purchase price is higher than equivalent petrol cars upfront, but lower running costs can offset that difference over time.
New Electric Car Purchase Prices
Entry-level EVs (£20,000–£30,000):
Models like the Dacia Spring and MG4 sit at the affordable end of the new EV market, making electric more accessible than ever for budget buyers.
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Mid-range EVs (£30,000–£50,000):
The bulk of the market — including popular choices like the Nissan Leaf, Vauxhall Mokka Electric, and Tesla Model 3 — falls in this bracket.
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Premium EVs (£50,000+):
Vehicles such as the Tesla Model S, BMW iX, and Porsche Taycan push well past £60,000–£80,000 and beyond for top specifications.
Used Electric Cars
Used EVs from under £10,000:
Older Nissan Leafs and Renault Zoes regularly appear on the used market below £10,000, offering a much lower entry point into electric driving.
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Battery health matters:
When buying used, check the battery state of health — degraded batteries reduce range significantly and can be expensive to replace.
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Additional Costs to Factor In
Home charger installation:
A home wallbox charger typically costs £800–£1,200 installed, though government grants can reduce this for eligible properties.
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Lower running costs:
Charging at home costs roughly 2–4p per mile versus 14–18p per mile for petrol, meaning annual fuel savings of £1,000–£1,500 are achievable for average drivers.
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Servicing and tax savings:
EVs have no road tax until 2025 (now subject to VED from 2025), lower servicing costs due to fewer moving parts, and no congestion charge in London.
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Is an Electric Car Worth It for You?
Total cost of ownership:
Government analysis shows that over a typical ownership period, EVs can cost less than equivalent petrol cars when fuel and servicing savings are included.
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Fuel cost comparison:
If you're weighing up the ongoing fuel cost of keeping your current petrol or diesel car versus switching, CheckFuelPrices shows live local pump prices so you can calculate exactly what you're spending now.
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Sources
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