5p since late February. 7p per mile, while electric vehicle drivers using a standard public charger (54p per kWh) spend roughly 15p per mile. Autotrader and Zapmap estimated that motorists could save up to £960 annually by switching to an EV, though this is based on a single source.
Fuel prices have risen steeply since hostilities intensified involving the US, Israel and Iran earlier this year, according to industry analysts. In the UK, public charging points carry a 20% VAT rate, while domestic electricity is charged at 5%, as noted by campaigners. 15, around £25 a year, according to industry sources.
Overall energy savings for the typical household will be £117 a year, according to industry sources, though this figure comes from a single source. 5% increase year-on-year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. UK battery electric car sales accounted for 22% of new car sales in Q1 2026, the SMMT said.
Electric is now the most popular fuel type for new cars on Autotrader, the company said. The UK's public charging infrastructure has expanded to over 120,000 points, and the average range of new EVs exceeds 300 miles, according to industry data. Autotrader reported that the average price of a new electric car on its platform is £42,620, while the average new petrol car costs £43,405, making EVs slightly cheaper upfront, though this is based on medium-confidence data.
The electric car grant offers up to £3,750 off some models, according to government sources. There are 40 new EV models priced under £30,000 in the UK, according to industry data. However, some experts, such as those in Sweden, note that EVs can still be more expensive to purchase.
In Sweden, petrol prices have increased from about 15 to 19 kronor per litre, a rise of more than 20%, according to local reports, while electricity prices have fallen after winter highs. Tibber calculated that it costs about 620 kronor to drive 47 miles with a petrol car. Petrol and diesel prices in Sweden generally fell until the Iran war in February 2026 due to reduced reduction obligation, according to analysts.
Mobility Sweden reported that it was cheaper to drive on electricity than diesel or petrol in Sweden during 2025 as a whole.