How Much Can You Really Save on Petrol with an EV? Thinking About Buying a Cheap Used One

I’ve been debating whether switching to an EV is actually worth it financially, especially when it comes to saving money on petrol. I’ve always heard people say cheap electric ones cost less to run, but I’m trying to get a realistic sense of how much you actually save month to month. Since I’m specifically looking at cheap electric cars for sale, I don’t mind going for an older or budget-friendly model as long as the running costs are low. There are a bunch on different sites like Alibaba, AutoTrader, Carwow etc.

From what I’ve read in different discussions on Reddit, the cost difference between charging and fueling can be pretty big. A lot of EV owners say they spend a fraction of what they used to on petrol. For example, one common comparison is that a full charge at home can cost the same as just a few liters of petrol, depending on local electricity rates. If you mostly commute or drive short distances, the savings add up fast. Some posts even mention people saving hundreds each month just from not filling up their tank anymore.

Maintenance seems cheaper too—no oil changes, fewer moving parts, and less wear on brakes. That’s another angle I’m factoring into the total yearly savings.

I’m mainly wondering how much the average EV driver saves specifically on fuel costs. If anyone has numbers based on their own usage—weekly commutes, long drives, city vs rural—I’d love to hear it. Also, if you’ve bought a budget EV, how well has it held up and was the savings worth the switch?