The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →For a UK driver covering 10,000 miles a year, HMRC’s advisory rates effective 1 September 2026 put five-year energy or fuel costs at about £3,500 for an EV charged entirely at home, £7,500 for one charged entirely on public networks, and £8,500 for a 1.5-litre petrol car. That makes home-charged EV miles cheaper on this benchmark, but it does not prove the EV is cheaper to own overall. Purchase price, depreciation, tax, insurance, servicing and charging arrangements can change the result.
These are illustrative figures, not a verdict on every 60kWh EV and 1.5 turbo. Battery capacity is not efficiency, and engine size is not fuel economy. The comparison below uses UK figures and shows how to build a fair five-year calculation for the actual cars you are considering.
Five-year energy and fuel costs at a glance
HMRC’s advisory rates effective 1 September 2026 are 7p per mile for home-charged electric cars, 15p per mile for public-charged electric cars, and 17p per mile for petrol cars with engines from 1,401cc to 2,000cc. A conventional 1.5-litre petrol engine fits the latter band. These are reimbursement benchmarks, not a forecast of your bill: HMRC uses a weighted method incorporating electricity prices, EV consumption, petrol prices and public-charging price data.
| Vehicle and charging assumption | HMRC rate | Illustrative five-year cost at 10,000 miles per year |
|---|---|---|
| EV, all home charging | 7p per mile | 50,000 miles × £0.07 = £3,500 |
| EV, all public charging | 15p per mile | 50,000 miles × £0.15 = £7,500 |
| 1.5-litre petrol, 1,401–2,000cc band | 17p per mile | 50,000 miles × £0.17 = £8,500 |
All three totals are arithmetic illustrations using the same assumed mileage, not model tests. HMRC’s table currently uses a weighted electric efficiency of 3.59 miles per kWh. Its public-charging rate draws on slow and fast public charging data, so rapid-charging prices may differ. See HMRC’s advisory fuel rates for the dated rates and method.
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- Flex Level 1 EV Charger - The EVDANCE Level 1 electric car charger is compatible with J1772 electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles (North American Standard). *Tesla requires a SAE J1772 adapter.
- Convenient to Use - This charger has both NEMA 6-20 plug for 16A 240V charging (3.68kW, 10-12 mi/h) and a NEMA 6-20 to 5-15 plug adapter for 12A 120V charging (1.44kW, 2-5 mi/h). The included bag makes it easier to carry on the go. It also has a 25ft cable length, you can use it flexibly from anywhere in the garage or driveway.
- Check Your Outlet Type -This charger works with standard 120V NEMA 5-15/5-20 outlets (2-5 mph charging speed) and 240V NEMA 6-20 outlets (10-12 mph) . It's not compatible with NEMA 6-15/10-30/14-30/14-50/6-50 outlets – you'll need a NEMA 14-50/14-30/10-30/6-50 to 6-20 adapter (sold separately) to connect.
- Compatible EV Models -This EV charger works with most major electric vehicles, including Ford, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Audi, Nissan Ariya, Rivian R1S, Kia, and others. However, it's not compatible with Mini Cooper Electric Hardtop,Toyota Prus Prime/Z4X/RAV4Prime, Porsche Taycan Base/4S/Turbo/Turbo S or Tesla models (Tesla requires a J1772 to Tesla Adapter, sold separately). For a full list of compatible models, check out the Full Compatibility List on our product page.
- Indication Displays - LED display that can tell you the status as well as indicate errors while charging your electric vehicle.
How a mixed charging pattern changes the EV figure
Apply the home and public rates to the miles charged in each place. For example, at the same illustrative 10,000 miles a year, charging half the mileage at home and half on public networks gives a benchmark of 11p per mile: 25,000 × £0.07 plus 25,000 × £0.15 over five years, or £5,500. This is still only an illustration; replace the benchmark rates with your actual electricity tariff, charging mix and vehicle consumption where you know them.
Why the title specifications cannot identify a winner
A 60kWh battery describes capacity, not how many miles the EV travels per unit of electricity. Two EVs with the same nominal capacity can have different energy consumption because of their design, weight, tyres, speed and driving conditions. Likewise, “1.5 turbo” gives engine displacement and aspiration, not the petrol car’s real-world mpg. Transmission, vehicle weight, route and driving style matter too.
Rank #2
- Charge with Confidence: ChargePoint builds reliable, flexible EV charging stations for home, business, and fleets. Get 24/7 support and access to hundreds of thousands of North American charging locations.
- Charge Smart: With the user-friendly ChargePoint Mobile App, you can control your electric car charger, manage reminders, connect to smart home devices, find stations, get data and charging info, and access the latest features. Note: WiFi is needed for certain functionalities and troubleshooting steps if connectivity issues arise.
- Vast Network: Wherever you go, ChargePoint’s network includes 274k+ stations across North America and Europe and 565k+ roaming partner stations.
- Safe & Durable: Rely on this UL-certified EV charger for safe home charging. It can be installed indoors or outdoors by an electrician and includes a cold-resistant cable.
- Fast & Powerful: This EV charger charges 9× faster than a 120V outlet, delivering up to 45 mi/hr., dependent upon your vehicle. It features a J1772 connector for all non-Tesla EVs and requires a 20A or 80A circuit. For Tesla EVs, this will require an adapter.
So the HMRC comparison is a useful common benchmark, not an exact side-by-side test of a particular EV and petrol model. For a model-pair calculation, use each car’s own efficiency data and label whether it is an official test-cycle figure or a real-world measurement. Do not treat the 3.59 miles/kWh used in HMRC’s weighted advisory calculation as a guarantee for a specific EV.
Build a fair five-year ownership comparison
First decide whether “running cost” means energy and routine use only, or the full cost of owning the cars. A full five-year total should use the same ownership period and annual mileage for both vehicles:
Rank #3
- ✅【Fast and Efficient Charging】 The eTimxon level 2 EV charger is equipped with NEMA 6-20 Plug, supports 240V, 16A, 3.84kW output current, approximately 4x faster than 8A level 1 ev chargers, shorten the electric vehicle charging time,so you can quickly get back on the road. Perfect for those early morning commutes, last-minute errands, or spontaneous weekend getaways—your car will be charged and ready to go when you are.
- ✅【Charge anywhere & anytime】Designed for maximum flexibility, eTimxon Level 1 & 2 EV charger features both NEMA 5-15 and 6-20 plug compatibility. Whether you're charging in your garage, at a friend's house, or at a roadside motel. NEMA 6-20 plug for Level 2 ev charging (240V, 16A, 3.84kW) and a NEMA 5-15 adapter for Level 1 ev charging (120V, 12A, 1.44kW) NOTE: In compliance with North American electrical safety standards, when use NEMA 5-15 Plug, you need to adjust the Current to 12A by manual to protecting both your vehicle and your home’s electrical system
- ✅【Dual-Level Charging】This portable J1772 ev charger offers true dual-level compatibility. For Level 2 fast charging (240V), it comes with a fixed NEMA 6-20 plug which must be used with a dedicated NEMA 6-20 outlet. For Level 1 charging (120V), it includes a NEMA 5-15 adapter that plugs into a standard 3-prong household outlet (NEMA 5-15 receptacle).Before You Order: Please verify you have the correct outlet
- ✅【Before Make Order】 1. This Mobile charging cable includes a fixed NEMA 6-20 plug and a NEMA 5-15 adapter. You must have access to the corresponding outlet type for the charger to work. Please confirm your outlet type before purchasing 2. You can set the current and delay time before plug in the charger into your car . 3. For an 87kWh battery pack, using the NEMA 6-20 plug (240V, Level 2) delivers a full charge in approximately 22.4 hours, while using the NEMA 5-15 adapter (120V, Level 1) takes over 60 hours for a full charge. Actual charging speed depends on your vehicle and circuit
- ✅【Multiple protection】 When the charging temperature exceeds 158°F, our EV charging station will activate the protection function and reduce the charging power. If the temperature remains too high, charging will be temporarily suspended. once the temperature back to normal, charging will automatically resume. perfect to protect your device and car at any time.
Five-year ownership cost = purchase price − resale value + fuel or electricity + vehicle tax + insurance + servicing and repairs + relevant charging equipment and installation.
- Set a common mileage and period. Use the same five years and annual miles for both cars. Energy savings rise with mileage, so changing the assumption can change the comparison.
- Calculate energy or fuel from your use. You can multiply miles by a suitable cost-per-mile rate, or calculate from the car’s consumption and the price you pay per unit. For an EV, split mileage by home, workplace and public charging if the costs differ. For petrol, use the chosen car’s fuel economy and a clearly stated petrol-price assumption.
- Compare purchase price with expected resale value. Use actual transaction prices and a reasoned resale estimate for the end of year five. Depreciation is model- and market-sensitive; state the source, date and method behind any estimate rather than assuming the cheaper-to-fuel car is cheaper overall.
- Apply the right vehicle tax. Check the car’s registration date, list price and applicable tax-year rules. The 2026–27 rules for qualifying EVs registered on or after 1 April 2025 are explained below; older registrations can have different treatment.
- Use equivalent insurance assumptions. Compare quotes for the same driver, location, cover and excess wherever possible. A quote for one driver is not a general insurance cost for the model.
- Price servicing and repairs for each model. Use model-specific scheduled-service prices and note what is included. An EV should not be assigned zero maintenance simply because it has fewer engine-related service items.
- Add charging equipment only if it applies. Include the cost of a home charge point and installation if you need them, and treat the cost consistently over the comparison period. Not every EV owner needs to buy one: some have existing access or charge elsewhere. Compare current electricity tariffs, including rates, standing charges, eligibility and whether an off-peak schedule suits your charging routine.
UK vehicle tax for EVs in 2026–27
For the 2026–27 tax year, DVLA says a qualifying zero-emission car registered on or after 1 April 2025 pays £10 in its first year and the standard £200 annual rate thereafter. Zero-emission cars registered from 1 April 2017 through 31 March 2025 have a £200 standard rate; older registration dates may follow different rules. Check the car’s own registration and tax details in DVLA’s vehicle tax rate tables.
Rank #4
- SAE J1772 Standard Charger: Compatible with all North American electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, including Ford, Chevrolet, Nissan, BMW, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Kia, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Rivian, Porsche, Toyota, Honda, Jeep, and GMC. Tesla vehicles can be charged with a separate SAE J1772 adapter (sold separately).
- Adjustable Current: Choose from 8A, 10A, 13A, or 16A to match your vehicle’s charging needs.Dual Plug Compatibility,NEMA 6-20 Plug (220/240V): Delivers up to 3.84 kW/h, providing approximately 15.36 MPH charging speed at 16A.NEMA 5-15 Plug (110/120V): Supports 10A charging at 120V, offering 1.2 kW/h (around 4.4 MPH). Customizable Charging: Easily adjust current to suit different charging scenarios, giving you maximum flexibility at home or on the go
- Hassle-Free Installation: Forget complicated setups—just plug in and go. Equipped with NEMA 5-15 and NEMA 6-20 (220V/240V) connectors, it works with any standard 110V–240V outlet. The 25-foot cable gives you the freedom to reach vehicles parked at a distance, making charging convenient anywhere.
- Intelligent Charging: Featuring a 2.8-inch touch display, you can easily select the charging current (8A / 10A / 13A / 16A) and schedule charging with a 1–12 hour delayed start. Perfect for maximizing off-peak hours and cutting electricity costs. (Example: Set a 2-hour delay, and charging begins automatically after 2 hours.)
- Comprehensive Safety: Designed to meet CE and FCC safety standards, this charger offers multiple layers of protection, including overvoltage, overload, short-circuit, grounding, and leakage safeguards. The durable IP65-rated waterproof housing and reinforced cable ensure reliable charging in all weather conditions, keeping your vehicle safe year-round.
An expensive-car supplement can also apply. For a zero-emission car registered on or after 1 April 2025 with a list price above £50,000, the additional rate applies for five years starting in the second tax year. HMRC’s Budget 2025 overview gives the supplement as £440 a year for qualifying petrol or diesel cars above £40,000 and zero-emission cars above £50,000 in years two through six after first registration. Check the applicable list-price threshold and tax year before putting a five-year tax total into your comparison; the detailed policy is in HMRC’s Budget 2025 overview of tax legislation and rates.
What to take from the comparison
On HMRC’s September 2026 advisory benchmarks, a driver who can charge mostly at home has a substantial per-mile energy-cost advantage over the petrol benchmark. Relying mainly on public charging narrows that gap: the illustrative five-year difference between all-public EV charging and the petrol rate is £1,000 at 10,000 miles a year. That is not a five-year ownership saving, because the calculation excludes purchase price, depreciation, tax, insurance, servicing, repairs and any relevant charger installation.
Government guidance gives older per-mile comparisons, including home charging around 8p per mile and public-network charging at roughly petrol-equivalent cost, but those figures reflect earlier cost context, including January 2024. They should not be blended into a current total as if they were the same-period rates. The newer HMRC advisory rates provide the dated benchmark used here. GOV.UK’s electric-vehicle charging guidance also explains why charging at home or work is common; charging access and timing remain important parts of an individual calculation.
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