The cost comparison framework
Comparing EV and petrol running costs requires converting from different units: electricity is priced per kWh, petrol per litre or gallon. The useful metric is cost per 100 km (or per mile), which normalises for the efficiency difference between the two powertrains.
A typical modern EV consumes roughly 15–20 kWh/100km. A typical petrol car uses 6–8 litres/100km. So at €0.30/kWh electricity and €1.60/litre petrol, the EV costs €4.50–6.00/100km versus €9.60–12.80/100km for petrol — a clear advantage. But at €0.45/kWh (common on public rapid chargers) and €1.50/litre petrol, the gap narrows sharply. The IEA's Global EV Outlook 2024 provides detailed country-level cost comparisons.
Home overnight charging (off-peak tariff) typically runs at 60–80% of the standard electricity rate, making it the cheapest way to charge by a wide margin. Public rapid DC charging can cost 3–5× the home rate per kWh, which can flip the economics against EVs in high-electricity-cost countries. The comparison depends enormously on your charging mix.
Where the numbers stand in mid-2024
Eurostat electricity price statistics show household electricity prices in the EU averaging around €0.28–0.32/kWh in early 2024, down from a 2022–23 peak of €0.35+ but still well above the €0.18–0.22 range common before the energy crisis. Public charging infrastructure prices, which are not tracked officially, typically run €0.45–0.75/kWh on major networks.
Petrol prices meanwhile have softened from their mid-2022 highs. European averages sit around €1.45–1.70/litre depending on country. The result: EV home charging remains clearly cheaper almost everywhere, but the advantage on public charging is marginal to negative in Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK.
| Country | Home electricity (€/kWh) | Petrol (€/L) | EV cost/100km | Petrol cost/100km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norway | €0.17 | €1.80 | €2.55 | €12.60 |
| France | €0.21 | €1.72 | €3.15 | €12.04 |
| Germany | €0.39 | €1.75 | €5.85 | €12.25 |
| UK | €0.27 | €1.60 | €4.05 | €11.20 |
| Poland | €0.18 | €1.42 | €2.70 | €9.94 |
The electricity tariff trajectory
Whether the EV advantage recovers depends on electricity prices. The main driver of the 2022–23 surge — high natural gas prices feeding into marginal electricity costs — has partially reversed. But structural changes to electricity markets, including expanded renewable capacity and shifting merit-order dynamics, mean the future tariff path is uncertain.
The ACER electricity market monitoring report tracks European power market dynamics in detail. For petrol, the trajectory is tied to OPEC+ decisions and global demand — see our article on how OPEC+ cuts affect pump prices.
The policy dimension
Several governments have introduced EV-specific electricity tariffs to preserve the running-cost advantage as a demand stimulus. The UK's Ofgem has discussed off-peak EV tariff structures. France's EDF offers dedicated EV overnight rates. These interventions directly affect the cost comparison and vary by country and provider.
For a fuller picture of how taxes shape petrol and diesel prices — which is the other half of the EV comparison — see: What makes up the price at the pump.
Questions
Is it cheaper to run an EV or a petrol car in 2024?
Home charging still beats petrol running costs in most European countries. Public rapid charging is often comparable to or more expensive than petrol per km in high-tariff markets. The Zap-Map cost tracker monitors UK public charging costs in near real-time.
Why have EV running costs increased?
Electricity tariffs across Europe rose sharply in 2022–2023 following the gas crisis and have only partially retreated. Meanwhile petrol prices have fallen from 2022 peaks. The Eurostat household energy price data shows the tariff trajectory clearly.
Which countries have the biggest EV running-cost advantage?
Norway leads: very low electricity prices (hydro-dominated grid) combined with very high petrol taxes make the gap enormous. France (nuclear grid, low marginal cost) and Poland (low residential tariffs) also show large advantages. The IEA Global EV Outlook quantifies this by country.