Charging and fuel
Use realistic efficiency and a mix of home, workplace and public tariffs. For a plug-in hybrid, budget for electricity and petrol.
Heading
Close X
Menu
The cost of electric driving depends on what you pay for electricity and how much energy the car uses. A driver charging mainly at home may have a different result from someone relying on public rapid charging.
Use your own annual mileage and current prices. If you commute between Perth and Dundee or make regular journeys into Fife, include those trips and the charging you expect to use away from home.
Use realistic efficiency and a mix of home, workplace and public tariffs. For a plug-in hybrid, budget for electricity and petrol.
Compare the purchase or finance cost, insurance, servicing, tyres and likely depreciation over the same ownership period.
Include the charger and installation where applicable. Ask about extra electrical work and check the full terms of any current charger offer.
For an electric car, divide your expected miles by a realistic miles-per-kWh figure, then multiply by your electricity price per kWh. Allow for charging losses and use separate prices for home and public charging if you use both.
For petrol, divide miles by your realistic UK miles-per-gallon figure, multiply by 4.546 to convert gallons to litres, then multiply by the price per litre. Keep the mileage and comparison period the same.
These calculations estimate energy costs only. They do not establish the total cost of owning or financing a vehicle, and actual use will vary.
A plug-in hybrid’s results depend heavily on charging frequency and how much of your driving uses electricity. Regular charging may help you use less petrol on suitable journeys; infrequent charging changes that balance.
Estimate your electric and petrol miles separately. If you cannot charge regularly, tell our Perth team so we can compare the alternatives against your real routine.
Vehicle tax and company-car tax depend on the car and the rules that apply to it. Check current official guidance for the exact vehicle and registration circumstances. Do not assume an electric car has no vehicle tax.
We can help you find the current Volvo offers and discuss the available models. For personal tax or business tax calculations, use current HMRC guidance and advice appropriate to your circumstances.
Make a note of your annual mileage, current fuel use, electricity tariff and likely public-charging needs. Our Perth team can help you compare suitable models and explain current purchase options without relying on a generic savings claim.
Your local Volvo team
Visit us on Arran Road, Perth, PH1 3DZ. We welcome drivers from Perthshire and Tayside, including Dundee, as well as Fife, Stirling, Edinburgh and elsewhere in Scotland.
If you are travelling to see a particular car or discuss a charging question, contact us first so we can help you plan a useful visit.
Enquire with Camerons VolvoDirections & opening hoursCall 01738 622156Vehicles and test-drive appointments are subject to availability and confirmation.
No single answer applies to everyone. Electricity prices, charging locations, efficiency and mileage affect energy costs. The wider comparison also includes purchase cost, insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation.
Not necessarily. Prices vary by tariff and operator, and additional parking or session fees may apply. Check the full price before starting each session.
Do not assume it will. Regular charging is important to making use of electric driving. Compare realistic petrol and electricity use for your own routine.
Electric cars can be liable for vehicle tax. The amount depends on the applicable rules and the vehicle’s circumstances. Check current GOV.UK guidance for the car you are considering.
Enter your own current mileage, fuel price, electricity price and realistic efficiency wherever the tool allows. Manufacturer defaults and comparison assumptions may not reflect today’s prices or your chosen car.
Further reading: Volvo Cars UK electric volvo running costs (opens in a new tab). Guidance reviewed 10 November 2026. Check current model information and the handbook for your exact Volvo.
