Fuel Cost Per Mile in the UK (2026)
Understanding your fuel cost per mile is the best way to budget your driving expenses and compare different vehicles. Here is what UK drivers are paying per mile in 2026 across petrol, diesel, and electric vehicles.
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Cost Per Mile at a Glance
| Fuel Type | Average Cost Per Mile | Based On |
|-----------|---------------------|----------|
| Petrol | 14 – 17p | 36 MPG at ~136p/litre |
| Diesel | 13 – 16p | 43 MPG at ~149p/litre |
| Electric (home charging) | 6 – 8p | 3.5 mi/kWh at ~25p/kWh |
| Electric (public rapid) | 18 – 25p | 3.5 mi/kWh at 65-89p/kWh |
| Hybrid | 10 – 14p | Mixed driving |
Compare live fuel prices in your area using our UK fuel prices tool.
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How to Calculate Your Fuel Cost Per Mile
The formula is simple:
Cost per mile = (Fuel price per litre × 4.546) ÷ MPG
Where 4.546 converts litres to UK gallons.
Example: Petrol Car at 40 MPG
- Petrol price: 136p per litre
- Cost per gallon: 136p × 4.546 = 618p (£6.18)
- Cost per mile: 618p ÷ 40 = 15.5p per mile
Example: Diesel Car at 50 MPG
- Diesel price: 149p per litre
- Cost per gallon: 149p × 4.546 = 677p (£6.77)
- Cost per mile: 677p ÷ 50 = 13.5p per mile
Example: Electric Vehicle (Home Charging)
- Electricity rate: 25p per kWh (Ofgem Q2 2026 price cap)
- Efficiency: 3.5 miles per kWh
- Cost per mile: 25p ÷ 3.5 = 7.1p per mile
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Annual Fuel Costs by Mileage
For a petrol car averaging 36 MPG at 136p/litre:
| Annual Mileage | Annual Fuel Cost |
|---------------|-----------------|
| 5,000 miles | £860 |
| 8,000 miles | £1,375 |
| 10,000 miles | £1,720 |
| 15,000 miles | £2,580 |
| 20,000 miles | £3,440 |
For an EV charged at home (25p/kWh, 3.5 mi/kWh):
| Annual Mileage | Annual Fuel Cost |
|---------------|-----------------|
| 5,000 miles | £357 |
| 8,000 miles | £571 |
| 10,000 miles | £714 |
| 15,000 miles | £1,071 |
| 20,000 miles | £1,429 |
The difference is stark — an EV driver doing 10,000 miles per year saves approximately £1,000 in fuel costs. This is a significant chunk of your overall annual car maintenance budget. Interested in making the switch? Read our electric cars buyer's guide.
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What Affects Your Cost Per Mile?
Fuel Efficiency (MPG)
This is the biggest variable. A small car like a Toyota Yaris achieving 50+ MPG costs significantly less per mile than a large SUV averaging 25 MPG. Real-world MPG is typically 15-20% lower than the manufacturer's claimed figure.
Fuel Prices
Prices fluctuate based on global oil markets, exchange rates, and UK government policy. Supermarket forecourts are typically 3-5p cheaper per litre than branded stations. Motorway services are the most expensive, often charging 10-20p more per litre. Track prices in your area with our UK fuel prices tool.
Driving Style
Aggressive driving (rapid acceleration, hard braking, high speeds) can increase fuel consumption by 20-30%. Smooth, anticipatory driving at moderate speeds is the most fuel-efficient approach. See our 25 fuel-saving tips for proven techniques.
Vehicle Condition
Under-inflated tyres, dirty air filters, and worn spark plugs all reduce fuel efficiency. Regular servicing keeps your car running at its most economical.
Journey Type
Short urban trips are the least fuel-efficient due to cold engines, stop-start traffic, and low average speeds. Motorway cruising at a steady 60-65 MPH is typically the most economical.
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HMRC Mileage Rates (For Business Use)
If you use your personal car for business travel, HMRC allows you to claim:
- 45p per mile for the first 10,000 miles per tax year
- 25p per mile for any miles over 10,000
- 5p per mile for each passenger carried on business trips
These are Approved Mileage Allowance Payments (AMAP) and cover fuel plus wear and tear.
For company car drivers, HMRC publishes advisory fuel rates quarterly. As of March 2026, these range from 10p to 18p per mile depending on fuel type and engine size.
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Track Your Fuel Costs with CarFile
CarFile's expense tracking lets you log every fill-up and automatically calculates your real-world cost per mile, MPG, and monthly fuel spend. Over time, you can see how your driving habits and fuel choices affect your bottom line.
Looking for ways to reduce your overall running costs? Tracking is the first step.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is diesel cheaper per mile than petrol?
Generally yes, by about 1-2p per mile, because diesel engines are 15-20% more fuel-efficient. However, diesel is more expensive per litre, so the saving is smaller than it used to be.
What is the cheapest fuel per mile?
Home-charged electric at approximately 7p per mile. On a specialist EV tariff with off-peak rates, this can drop to as low as 2-3p per mile.
How do I find my car's real MPG?
Track your fuel fill-ups and mileage over several tanks. Divide the total miles driven by the total gallons used. CarFile does this calculation automatically when you log your fuel purchases.
Are public chargers more expensive than petrol?
Some are. Rapid chargers at motorway services can cost 65-89p per kWh, working out to 18-25p per mile — comparable to or more expensive than petrol. Home charging remains far cheaper.