Charging costs: home vs petrol

For fleet managers, July’s numbers confirm that electrification is no longer a question of adoption, but of economics. The real differentiator in TCO is not only which EV you choose, but how and where you charge it. The latest UK data shows a stark gap between home charging, public charging, and petrol costs.

Insights for Fleet Managers

• Home charging averages 8–9p per mile — roughly 40% cheaper than petrol, which remains around 15p per mile for a typical car at 40 mpg. This is the simplest way for fleets to cut running costs.

*Sources: SmartHomeCharge, UK Gov, AllCarLeasing, NimbleFins*

• HMRC now reflects reality — advisory rates are set at 8p per mile for home charging and 14p per mile for public charging, aligning fleet reimbursement policy with real-world costs.

*Source: HMRC – Advisory Fuel Rates*

• Public charging still carries a premium — slow and fast chargers average around 15p per mile, while rapid chargers can exceed 23p per mile. Without managed charging, fleet costs risk spiralling.

*Source: Zap-Map – Charging Price Index*

• Tariff optimisation is a hidden lever — fleets that enable drivers to use smart or off-peak tariffs can save more than £400 a year per vehicle. For larger fleets, this adds up to six-figure savings across a cycle.

*Source: The Times*

• Operational planning is critical — electrification benefits depend on controlling when and where drivers charge. Without this, TCO savings erode quickly.

Electrification is accelerating, but fleet TCO depends less on which EV is chosen and more on charging discipline. For UK fleets, home and off-peak charging are now the frontline of cost efficiency.