Running costs are a particular EV strength. Our "from" cost per mile uses off-peak smart tariff rates (7.5p/kWh on tariffs such as Octopus Go - some drivers pay just 3.5–5p/kWh). The most efficient EVs cost below 2p per mile using off-peak electricity, against 15–20p for petrol.
Mercedes-Benz CLA
The Mercedes-Benz CLA has the lowest cost per mile of any EV on sale - maximising your savings versus petrol.
Top 15 ranked
Ranked by cost per mile score - running cost in pence per mile at uk electricity rates.
| # | Car | Cost/Mile | Annual Saving | Efficiency | Range | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mercedes-Benz CLA | from 1.5p | £1935 | - | 484 mi | £45,615 |
| 2 | Cupra Born | from 1.6p | £1921 | - | 301 mi | £35,995 |
| 3 | VW ID.3 Neo | from 1.6p | £1920 | - | 258 mi | £33,080 |
| 4 | Dacia Spring | from 1.7p | £1915 | 124 Wh/km | 139 mi | £11,990 |
| 5 | Hyundai Ioniq 3 | from 1.7p | £1916 | - | 213 mi | £22,245 |
| 6 | Nissan LEAF | from 1.7p | £1915 | - | 375 mi | £35,999 |
| 7 | BMW iX1 | from 1.7p | £1913 | - | 320 mi | £37,065 |
| 8 | MINI Aceman | from 1.7p | £1913 | - | 191 mi | £28,310 |
| 9 | Toyota C-HR+ | from 1.7p | £1910 | - | 283 mi | £34,495 |
| 10 | BMW iX2 | from 1.7p | £1912 | - | 318 mi | £41,815 |
| 11 | Fiat 500e | from 1.7p | £1912 | - | 118 mi | £20,995 |
| 12 | Hyundai KONA Electric | from 1.7p | £1910 | - | 319 mi | £35,000 |
| 13 | Peugeot e-308 | from 1.8p | £1908 | - | 279 mi | £31,065 |
| 14 | Renault 4 | from 1.8p | £1907 | - | 249 mi | £27,195 |
| 15 | Toyota bZ4X | from 1.8p | £1907 | - | 276 mi | £39,995 |
Cheapest to run under £35,000
Low purchase prices paired with low running costs offer the best of both worlds:
| # | Car | Cost/Mile | Annual Saving | Efficiency | Range | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | VW ID.3 Neo | from 1.6p | £1920 | - | 258 mi | £33,080 |
| 2 | Dacia Spring | from 1.7p | £1915 | 124 Wh/km | 139 mi | £11,990 |
| 3 | Hyundai Ioniq 3 | from 1.7p | £1916 | - | 213 mi | £22,245 |
| 4 | MINI Aceman | from 1.7p | £1913 | - | 191 mi | £28,310 |
| 5 | Toyota C-HR+ | from 1.7p | £1910 | - | 283 mi | £34,495 |
| 6 | Fiat 500e | from 1.7p | £1912 | - | 118 mi | £20,995 |
| 7 | Hyundai KONA Electric | from 1.7p | £1910 | - | 319 mi | £35,000 |
| 8 | Peugeot e-308 | from 1.8p | £1908 | - | 279 mi | £31,065 |
| 9 | Renault 4 | from 1.8p | £1907 | - | 249 mi | £27,195 |
| 10 | Renault 5 | from 1.8p | £1907 | - | 191 mi | £22,995 |
EVs with heat pumps (better winter efficiency)
Heat pumps use significantly less energy for winter heating, helping keep running costs low year-round:
| # | Car | Cost/Mile | Heat Pump | Efficiency | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mercedes-Benz CLA | from 1.5p | Yes | - | £45,615 |
| 2 | Nissan LEAF | from 1.7p | Yes | - | £35,999 |
| 3 | BMW iX1 | from 1.7p | Yes | - | £37,065 |
| 4 | Hyundai KONA Electric | from 1.7p | Yes | - | £35,000 |
| 5 | Renault Megane | from 1.9p | Yes | - | £31,995 |
| 6 | VW ID.5 | from 1.9p | Yes | - | £36,995 |
| 7 | VW ID.4 | from 1.9p | Yes | - | £36,995 |
| 8 | BYD Dolphin | from 1.9p | Yes | - | £30,195 |
| 9 | VW ID.7 | from 1.9p | Yes | 142 Wh/km | £51,035 |
| 10 | Hyundai IONIQ 6 | from 1.9p | Yes | - | £47,050 |
Compare any two
Want a closer comparison of models on this list? Our comparison tool shows detailed specification differences side by side. You can also use the search to filter electric cars by any dimension.
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Founder of EVcarsguide. Web technologist and data specialist tracking the UK EV market.