Kia Niro EV vs Kia Sportage: Running Costs UK 2026
Last updated: July 2026 · Based on current UK fuel prices
Running a Kia Niro EV in the UK costs approximately 7.1p per mile on home electricity, compared to 16.6p per mile for the Kia Sportage on petrol. At 10,000 miles per year with 80% home charging, the Kia Niro EV saves approximately £670 per year in fuel costs — breaking even on the higher purchase price in around 3.0 years.
At 10,000 miles/yr · 80% home charging
+£670/yr
The Kia Niro EV saves you approximately £670 per year in fuel costs.
Break-even on the higher purchase price: ~3.0 years
Kia Sportage fuel cost
16.6p/mile
42 MPG · 153.5p/litre
Kia Niro EV (home tariff)
7.1p/mile
3.7 mi/kWh · 26.1p/kWh
Annual fuel cost comparison
The table below uses real-world efficiency figures for both vehicles and current UK fuel prices. EV costs assume 80% home charging (26.1p/kWh) and 20% public rapid charging (79p/kWh).
| Miles/yr | Kia Sportage | Kia Niro EV | EV saves |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 | £1,329 | £793 | +£536 |
| 10,000(avg) | £1,661 | £991 | +£670 |
| 12,000 | £1,994 | £1,190 | +£804 |
| 15,000 | £2,492 | £1,487 | +£1,005 |
| 20,000 | £3,323 | £1,983 | +£1,340 |
Petrol: 153.5p/litre · Home electricity: 26.1p/kWh · Public rapid: 79p/kWh
Kia Niro EV cost by charging scenario
Charging behaviour has more impact on EV running costs than almost any other variable. Here's how the Kia Niro EV compares at 10,000 miles per year across four scenarios:
Overnight EV tariff
£189/yr · 1.9p/mile
Standard home (80% home)
£991/yr · 9.9p/mile
Mixed (50% home)
£1,420/yr · 14.2p/mile
Public charging only
£2,135/yr · 21.4p/mile
Saving vs Kia Sportage at 10,000 mi/yr and 153.5p/litre.
Key specs
Kia Niro EV
64.8kWh
Kia Sportage
1.6 T-GDi HEV 2
Get a personalised result for your actual mileage
The figures above use national average fuel prices. Enter your postcode to get live local prices, or adjust the MPG and efficiency for your specific trim level.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a Kia Niro EV cost to run per mile in the UK?
At a standard UK home electricity rate of 26.1p/kWh (the Ofgem price cap unit rate for July–September 2026) and a real-world efficiency of 3.7 miles/kWh, the Kia Niro EV costs approximately 7.1p per mile when charging at home. On a dedicated overnight EV tariff (around 7p/kWh) this falls to just 1.9p per mile. Relying entirely on public rapid charging — which averaged 79p/kWh in mid-2026 — raises the cost to 21.4p per mile.
Is the Kia Niro EV cheaper to run than the Kia Sportage?
Yes, for most UK drivers who can charge at home. The Kia Sportage costs approximately 16.6p per mile in petrol at current UK prices. At home on a standard tariff, the Kia Niro EV costs 7.1p per mile — a saving of 9.6p per mile. At 10,000 miles per year with 80% home charging, the Kia Niro EV saves around £670 per year in fuel costs.
How long to break even switching from a Kia Sportage to a Kia Niro EV?
Based on an estimated price premium of £2,000 for the Kia Niro EV over the Kia Sportage, and annual fuel savings of approximately £670 at 10,000 miles per year (80% home charging), the break-even point is around 3.0 years. Drivers covering more miles will reach break-even sooner — at 15,000 miles per year the saving is proportionally larger.
What if I can't charge the Kia Niro EV at home?
Without home charging, the economics change significantly. Relying on public rapid charging — which averaged 79p/kWh in mid-2026, up sharply from a couple of years ago — puts the Kia Niro EV at 21.4p per mile — higher than the Kia Sportage at 16.6p per mile. EV running cost savings are almost entirely dependent on home charging access. Drivers without off-street parking should factor this in carefully.