Illustrations by Ian Bott, Bob Haslett and Cleve Jones. Additional work by Chris Campbell and Justine Williams.
Calculations for the graphic comparing the estimated annual cost to run an EV with an internal combustion engine car assume 10,000 miles travelled each year. The figure used for the price of petrol is 137 pence per litre, as at December 31 2024. Cost for home charging is set at 7.5 pence per kilowatt hour (kWh) – the average of nine intelligent or overnight tariffs available in December 2024. The price at public charge points is based on the weighted average from Zapmap’s data covering 70 per cent of public chargers and 1.5mn charging sessions per month, with slow or fast public charging points at 53 pence per kWh and rapid or ultra-rapid devices at 80 pence. Vehicles used in the comparison are the VW electric ID.3 and the VW Golf 43.5mpg.