Understanding Fuel Efficiency
In the UK, the cost of car ownership is significantly influenced by the fuel efficiency of your vehicle. This efficiency is typically measured in miles per gallon (MPG) for petrol and diesel cars and miles per kilowatt-hour (MPkWh) for electric vehicles.
We have delved into the current prices for each, the difference between MPG and MPkWh, and the impact all this has on your costs.
UK Petrol and Diesel Prices per Litre
Fuel cost in the UK has fluctuated in recent years, rapidly climbing before slowly coming back down again. These figures are correct as of 22/10/2024.
Petrol:
The average price for petrol at the pumps in the UK is 133.9 pence per litre. This has come down significantly in the last 12 months when it was up at 155.09 pence per litre this time last year.
Diesel:
Diesel is slightly more expensive, with the average price at the pumps sitting at 139.26 pence per litre. This time last year, Diesel averaged 162.19 pence per litre.
Figures taken from UK Government website…
Electric Vehicles:
The price of charging an electric vehicle varies depending on where you choose to charge it. Energy costs are more variable than petrol or diesel prices.
For a typical electric car with a 60kWh battery and ~200-mile range
Charging at home: The average domestic electricity rate in the UK is about 24.5p per kWh. Fully charging your car will cost you around £15 and give you around 200 miles. These are averages and will depend on where you live.
Charging at charge points: Different charge points offer different rates, and some may even be free to use (e.g., supermarkets while shopping), but they tend to be slow chargers. You can download certain apps showing you different charging points and their prices.
Charging at rapid chargers: Rapid chargers tend to be found in service stations and are generally a more expensive way of charging. Most network rapid chargers cost 74p/kWh, about £19 for 30 minutes.
Range anxiety is often a worry for people looking to switch to an electric car. It is the fear that the car’s battery range will not be long enough for their needs. Many people feel they will be stopping to charge their car all the time. But if you have a charger at home, this mitigates much of the worries. The price is reasonable and you can charge the car overnight, so it always has full charge when you leave in the morning.
Many EVs now have ranges similar to their combustion cousins, and the charging network is always expanding. The only worry now is cold weather climates, which can diminish the battery’s power. You will no doubt also be using your heating in the cold, which can drop the car’s range even more.
MPG vs MPkWh
What does MPG mean?
MPG stands for miles per gallon. A higher MPG value indicates that a petrol or diesel car can travel further on a gallon of fuel. For example, a car with 50 MPG can travel 50 miles on one gallon.
What does MPkWh mean?
MPkWh stands for miles per kilowatt-hour. For EVs, MPkWh measures how far the vehicle can travel on one kilowatt-hour of electricity. A higher MPkWh value means the car is more energy efficient.
The Impact of Efficiency on Costs
The fuel efficiency of your vehicle directly affects your bills. A car with a higher MPG or MPkWh will require less fuel or electricity to cover a given distance, reducing your overall costs. If you regularly drive long distances, it is worth looking at a car with better MPG or MPkWh statistics. Otherwise, you could be making more stops at fuel or charging stations than you would like!
Cost of Car Ownership
There is more to the cost of a new or used car beyond the initial cost. We have a complete guide to owning a car to help you understand potential costs and how to best prepare for these.
