Is an EV worth it at 15,000 miles per year?

Higher mileage usually strengthens the case for EVs on running costs alone, because cheaper per-mile charging (especially at home) adds up faster. You still need to weigh purchase price, insurance and how often you use expensive public chargers.

How much does petrol cost at 15,000 miles per year?

At 45 MPG and 145p per litre, 15,000 miles uses roughly 1,515 litres—about £2,200 per year on fuel alone, before tax and servicing. Enter your actual MPG and local fuel price in the calculator.

How much does EV charging cost at 15,000 miles?

At 30 kWh per 100 miles, 15,000 miles uses 4,500 kWh per year. At a blended 30p/kWh that is roughly £1,350 annually—often less than petrol, though public-heavy charging patterns reduce the gap.

EV vs petrol at 15,000 miles per year

Drive 15,000 miles a year? That is a common commuter mileage in the UK and where fuel or charging costs make the biggest difference. This calculator is pre-filled for 15,000 miles—adjust any figure to match your car and tariff.

Quick answer at 15k miles

On typical UK assumptions (45 MPG petrol at 145p/litre vs 30 kWh/100mi EV with mostly home charging), petrol fuel alone often costs around £2,000+ per year while EV charging might be £900–£1,400 depending on your tariff and public charging share. Add road tax and servicing for the full picture below.

Reviewed by: Oliver Burton, Editor · Last updated: 08 June 2026

Petrol

Fuel / year: £2,197
Total running / year: £2,747
TCO over 5 years: £38,736

Electric

Charging / year: £1,566
Total running / year: £1,966
TCO over 5 years: £41,830

Annual running-cost difference: £781 cheaper for EV. TCO difference over 5 years: £3,094. Approximate break-even: 9.0 years.

Estimates only. Actual fuel and electricity prices, efficiency, tax bands and servicing vary. Resale value, insurance, finance costs and home charger installation are not included.

Disclaimer

This calculator is for estimation only. It is not financial advice and does not represent a lending decision. Your actual affordability and car finance options in the UK depend on your circumstances and the lender's criteria.

Why 15,000 miles matters

At lower mileages the gap between petrol and EV running costs is smaller, so purchase price and insurance may dominate the decision. At 15,000 miles a year, fuel versus charging usually becomes the larger annual difference. Use the calculator to test your own MPG, electricity rates and public-charging share. For a broader guide see electric car running costs UK, or model a custom mileage on the EV vs petrol cost calculator.

Frequently asked questions

Is an EV worth it at 15,000 miles per year?: Higher mileage usually strengthens the case for EVs on running costs alone, because cheaper per-mile charging (especially at home) adds up faster. You still need to weigh purchase price, insurance and how often you use expensive public chargers.
How much does petrol cost at 15,000 miles per year?: At 45 MPG and 145p per litre, 15,000 miles uses roughly 1,515 litres—about £2,200 per year on fuel alone, before tax and servicing. Enter your actual MPG and local fuel price in the calculator.
How much does EV charging cost at 15,000 miles?: At 30 kWh per 100 miles, 15,000 miles uses 4,500 kWh per year. At a blended 30p/kWh that is roughly £1,350 annually—often less than petrol, though public-heavy charging patterns reduce the gap.

Sources & notes

Our calculators and guides draw on publicly available UK guidance. We review content periodically but do not guarantee that external sources remain unchanged. See our about page for how we use these tools.

MoneyHelper – How to find the right way to buy a car
General guidance on budgeting and car finance options in the UK.
MoneyHelper – Work out your budget
Household budgeting principles used alongside affordability rules of thumb.
FCA – Consumer credit and your rights
Regulatory context for regulated car finance agreements.
FCA Handbook – CONC 5.2A (creditworthiness and affordability)
How FCA-regulated lenders must assess affordability (illustrative reference).
Black Horse – Car finance (sample lender information)
Example of how a major UK motor-finance provider describes its products.
Santander – Car finance (sample lender information)
Example lender product information; rates and criteria vary by provider.

Compliance notes

Car Affordability UK is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). We do not provide regulated financial advice, credit broking or lending.
Calculator outputs are illustrative estimates based on the inputs you provide and published third-party guidance. They are not quotes, offers of credit or lending decisions.
FCA-regulated lenders apply their own affordability assessments, which may differ from the percentage rules of thumb used on this site. Always check formal terms before signing any agreement.
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