The driving distance from London to Sheffield using the shortest route is 167 miles using Google Maps. Calculations are based on a high-selling electric vehicle (EV) model with a stated range of 259 miles1. Calculations are deliberately conservative. Official energy consumption and range figures are obtained under specific laboratory test conditions to allow direct comparison between different models. To maintain strict comparability of results achieved by the tests, they cannot be fully representative of real-life driving conditions. A typical usable range for this example EV might reasonably be estimated at 177 miles: To reflect real-world driving, an adjustment factor is applied, reducing the range by 24%. This was developed by Element Energy as part of work commissioned by the Department for Transport in 2021. The adjustment factor reflects that the usable range can often be lower than the stated range, for a range of reasons including road topography, climate, heating system use, motorway driving, etc. A further adjustment is made to reflect the real use of the battery discharging to 10%. It is assumed the vehicle is charged up to 100% at the start of the journey and reduces to 10% at the end of the journey. 1Recent analysis by SMMT suggests the average stated range of a new electric car is almost 300 miles.

The vehicle is assumed to start the journey fully charged. The usable range for this example EV on one charge is estimated at 177 miles, as detailed above. Once stopped, for the second leg of the journey, it is assumed the vehicle charges up to 80% and reduces the battery to 10%. It gives a usable range of 138 miles: 259 miles x (100% – 24%) x (80% – 10%) = 138 miles By adding the distance from the first (177 miles) and second journey (138 miles), the total usable range is 315 miles, which is more than 300 miles with one stop.

The cost of charging is assumed to be incurred at home with access to electric vehicle specific off-peak energy tariffs. Several energy providers currently on the market offer such tariffs starting at 8p/kWh. These are energy tariffs available as per April 2026. The example vehicle has a stated range of up to 259 miles and combined energy consumption of 13.1kWh/62miles. To estimate the cost of a full charge: 8p/kWh x (13.1kWh/62miles) x 259 miles = £4.38, or less than £5.

Running costs are calculated based on the average price of running an EV expected over a 3-year period with an annual mileage of 10,000 miles (equivalent to 16,000km). This includes fuel costs, as well as insurance and maintenance costs. For this calculation, the example vehicles have an energy consumption of 18.5kWh/100km for electric and 8L/100km for petrol. The cost of charging is assumed at 7.5 p/kWh based on a sample intended to represent average home EV specific off-peak tariffs in 2025. The average petrol pump price at 143 p/L, based on DESNZ weekly fuel prices for 2025. Annual insurance and maintenance costs are estimated at £1,680 per year for electric vehicles and £1,490 for petrol vehicles. These estimates were developed by Element Energy as part of work last commissioned by the Department for Transport in 2021. To estimate running costs for electric vehicles: 16,000 km × 0.185kWh/km × 0.075£/kWh + £1,680 = £1,902 To estimate running costs for petrol vehicles: 16,000 km × 0.08L/km × 1.43£/L + £1,490 = £3,320 The difference is £3,320 – £1,902 = £1,420 in savings in running costs, each year.

Journey distances can vary due to road diversions, and longer routes may be recommended due to traffic. The stated range of the example vehicle is adjusted for typical real-world driving. It should be noted the actual range achieved will vary depending on a range of factors, including driving style, weather and the use of heating or air-conditioning, the topography of roads, and the level of congestion. The cost of charging does not include the cost of installing a charger and other related charges and may vary depending on energy supplier and the timing of charge. Energy tariffs may change.