Hybrid vs Petrol Running Cost Calculator
Use our calculator to compare a standard hybrid (HEV) or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) against a petrol car. Enter your own mileage, fuel prices, and hybrid efficiency to see the true difference.
The calculator works for any car type. For a hybrid, use its real-world combined MPG. For a PHEV, use the calculator with your home electricity rate to compare the electric portion of your driving.
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Enter your annual mileage, current car MPG, and charging assumptions. Click Calculate my true cost to see your personalised EV vs petrol comparison.
- Cost per mile comparison
- Annual and 5-year savings
- Break-even point
- 10-year cumulative cost chart
Reference prices
Fuel
Electricity
UK national averages. Enter postcode for local prices. Why this matters →
How to use this calculator for a hybrid
The calculator above compares an electric car against a petrol car. To compare a hybrid against petrol:
- 1.For a standard hybrid (HEV): Enter the hybrid's real-world MPG in the petrol car fields. A typical hybrid achieves 55–65 MPG in mixed driving. Compare that to a non-hybrid petrol car at 40–50 MPG.
- 2.For a plug-in hybrid (PHEV): Use the EV fields for miles driven on electric and the petrol fields for miles driven as a hybrid. Factor your home charging cost into the electricity rate.
- 3.The calculator will show the annual fuel cost for each and the difference between them.
For a dedicated guide on hybrid vs petrol economics, see our full hybrid running costs guide.
Typical hybrid vs petrol savings
Petrol (45 MPG)
~£1,550/yr
10k miles
Hybrid HEV (60 MPG)
~£1,163/yr
~£387 saved
PHEV (80% electric)
~£604/yr
~£946 saved
Full EV (80% home)
~£1,048/yr
~£502 saved
Based on 10,000 mi/yr. Petrol at 153.5p/litre. EV at 26.1p/kWh home, 79p/kWh public, 3.5 mi/kWh. PHEV assumes 30 mile electric range, 40 MPG hybrid mode, charged at home.
Frequently asked questions
Is a hybrid car cheaper to run than a petrol car in the UK?
A standard hybrid can be 20–30% more fuel-efficient than an equivalent petrol car in stop-start urban driving. At 10,000 miles per year with 60 MPG for a hybrid vs 45 MPG for petrol at July 2026 fuel prices, the hybrid saves roughly £370–£420 per year in fuel. The saving is smaller on motorway runs where the hybrid system has less opportunity to recover energy.
How much does a plug-in hybrid cost to run per mile?
A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) costs around 7–10p per mile on electricity if you charge regularly and do short trips within its electric range. Once the battery depletes, it switches to hybrid mode and runs at roughly 40–50 MPG, costing 12–16p per mile. The blended cost depends entirely on how often you charge and how far you drive between charges.
Is a hybrid worth it compared to a full EV?
A hybrid can be worth it if you cannot charge at home or regularly need to drive beyond the range of current affordable EVs. However, if you can charge at home overnight, a full EV will almost always be cheaper to run per mile — often half the cost of a hybrid per mile — and avoids the complexity of two powertrains.
Do hybrids save money on motorway driving?
Standard hybrids offer smaller savings on motorway because the regenerative braking advantage is reduced at steady speeds. At 70 MPH, a hybrid may only improve fuel economy by 5–10% compared to an equivalent petrol car. Plug-in hybrids with depleted batteries also revert to petrol-like economy on long motorway trips.