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Electric vs Petrol vs Diesel: Which is the Most Cost-Effective?

Uncover Savings: A Detailed Cost Comparison of Electric and ICE Vehicles

We’ve taken a close look at the running costs for electric, petrol, and diesel cars to help you make an informed choice. Using insights from the Zap Map Journey Cost Calculator, we compare popular electric models like the Volkswagen ID.3 and Tesla Model 3 with their petrol and diesel counterparts. Find out how much you could save on annual fuel costs and explore extra perks like reduced maintenance expenses and tax benefits.

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Electric vs Petrol vs Diesel: The Ultimate Showdown!

When it comes to running costs, electric vehicles (EVs) are making a big impression. At CarSupermarket.com, we've used data from the Zap Map Journey Cost Calculator to help you understand how much you could save by switching to electric, especially if you’re driving around 10,000 miles a year.

Vehicle

Type

Cost per Mile

Annual Fuel Costs

VW ID.3

Electric

6.2p

£630

Tesla Model 3

Electric

5.9p

£600

Ford Focus Diesel

Diesel

12.1p

£1,230

BMW 3-Series PHEV

Plug-in Hybrid

11p

£1,130

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Key Insights:

If you’re driving around 10,000 miles a year, switching to an electric vehicle (EV) can lead to significant savings on running costs. Popular electric cars like the Volkswagen ID.3 and Tesla Model 3 offer potential annual savings of up to £630 compared to a Ford Focus Diesel. The BMW 3-Series PHEV Saloon also provides savings over diesel cars, but fully electric vehicles tend to be more cost-effective in the long term.

One of the main reasons electric vehicles save you money is because they have lower maintenance costs. With fewer moving parts than petrol or diesel engines, EVs don’t need oil changes, exhaust repairs, or timing belt replacements, meaning less time and money spent at the garage.

For company car drivers, electric vehicles come with extra financial benefits. Benefit in Kind (BIK) tax rates for EVs are much lower than for traditional petrol or diesel cars, which can reduce your tax bill significantly. Additionally, some cities offer discounts or exemptions on congestion charges for electric cars, further lowering your costs.

Choosing an electric car through CarSupermarket.com is not only a smart financial decision but also helps reduce your carbon footprint and supports a cleaner, greener environment. With the UK’s rapidly expanding network of public EV charging stations, owning an electric vehicle is becoming more convenient and affordable than ever.

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