How much does it cost to charge an electric car at home in the UK?

The cost to charge an electric car at home in the UK depends on your electricity tariff, the size of your EV battery and how empty it is. As a rough guide, fully charging a typical 60kWh EV from empty on a standard tariff of around 30p per kWh would cost about £18 (60 x £0.30). With an off-peak EV tariff, you could reduce this to around £9–£12 per full charge. Smart home charging, charging overnight and pairing with solar panels can all cut costs further.

Is it cheaper to charge an EV at home or at public chargers?

Charging an electric car at home is usually significantly cheaper than using most public rapid chargers. Home electricity tariffs, especially specialist EV and off-peak tariffs, tend to be much lower per kWh than public charge points. Public rapid chargers are convenient for occasional top-ups and long journeys, but for daily use, a dedicated home EV charger almost always offers the lowest running costs over the long term.

How do home EV charger running costs compare with petrol or diesel?

When you charge at home on a competitive tariff, running an electric car is typically much cheaper per mile than running an equivalent petrol or diesel car. In many cases, drivers can reduce fuel costs by 50% or more. For example, if you pay around 10p per kWh on an off-peak tariff and your EV averages 3 miles per kWh, you are paying roughly 3.3p per mile, compared with 15p or more per mile for many petrol or diesel cars. Actual savings depend on your tariff, driving style and vehicle.

What factors affect the cost of charging an EV at home?

Key factors that affect home EV charging costs include: 1) Your electricity tariff and whether you have a dedicated EV or off-peak rate; 2) The size of your EV battery and its efficiency (miles per kWh); 3) How far and how often you drive; 4) When you charge (daytime vs cheap night-time hours); and 5) Whether you use solar PV or battery storage to offset grid electricity. A smart home charger helps you automatically charge at the cheapest times to minimise your running costs.

Can a smart EV charger reduce my home charging costs?

Yes. A smart EV charger can significantly reduce your home charging costs by automatically scheduling charging for the cheapest off-peak hours on your tariff. Many smart chargers also integrate with solar PV so you can prioritise free solar energy, track your energy usage and set charging limits to avoid expensive peak-time electricity. Over time, these optimisations can make a noticeable difference to your monthly EV running costs.

How can I lower my EV home charging costs in the UK?

To lower your EV home charging costs in the UK you can: 1) Switch to an EV-friendly or off-peak electricity tariff; 2) Use a smart home charger to charge mainly overnight when rates are lowest; 3) Avoid frequent use of expensive public rapid chargers; 4) If possible, install solar panels to generate your own electricity; and 5) Keep your tyres correctly inflated and drive efficiently so your car uses fewer kWh per mile. Energy Plus can help you choose and install a charger that maximises these savings.

Do I need a home EV charger or can I just use a 3-pin plug?

You can technically charge an EV from a standard 3-pin plug, but it is slow and not ideal for regular use. A dedicated home EV charger is faster, safer and more efficient, which means it can also be more cost-effective in the long run. A wallbox typically charges at 7kW, compared with around 2.3kW for a 3-pin plug, and many smart chargers include features that allow you to take full advantage of cheaper off-peak tariffs to reduce your running costs further.

Is a home EV charger installation worth it for occasional drivers?

Even if you drive relatively low annual mileage, a home EV charger can still be worth it for convenience and long-term savings. If you mainly rely on public charging, your cost per kWh is likely to be much higher, and you are dependent on charger availability. With a home charger, you can top up when it suits you, use cheaper off-peak electricity and keep your battery at an optimal state of charge. The more years you keep your EV, the more value you are likely to get from a home charger installation.

How do different UK EV tariffs impact home charging costs?

Different UK EV tariffs can have a major impact on your home charging costs. Standard single-rate tariffs charge the same price per kWh all day, while time-of-use and EV-specific tariffs offer much cheaper electricity overnight for a set number of hours. By combining a smart EV charger with an EV tariff, you can shift most of your charging into these cheap periods and potentially cut your per-mile costs by more than half. Comparing tariffs and matching them to your driving and charging habits is essential to minimise running costs.

EV Home Charger Running Costs UK Comparison

How much does it cost to run an EV home charger in the UK?

Your running cost is driven far more by your electricity tariff and driving habits than the price of the charger itself.

When you install a home EV charger, the main ongoing cost is the electricity used to charge your car. Unlike petrol or diesel, you pay per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity. The exact cost depends on:

Your electricity unit rate (pence per kWh)
Whether you use a standard or smart/off-peak EV tariff
Your car's battery size and efficiency (miles per kWh)
How many miles you drive per week or month
Whether you top up at public chargers as well as at home

For many UK drivers, home charging on a smart EV tariff can reduce fuel costs by 60–75% compared with petrol or diesel. Below we compare typical UK home charging costs, show examples for popular EV battery sizes, and explain how to lower your bills.

EV home charger running costs: UK comparison at a glance

Indicative prices based on typical UK tariffs in 2024. Your exact costs depend on your supplier and region.

Cost per kWh comparison

Approximate energy prices including VAT:

Charging option	Typical price (per kWh)
Home – standard tariff	27–32p
Home – smart EV off-peak	7–15p
Home – economy 7 off-peak	12–20p
Public fast charger (AC)	40–55p
Public rapid/ultra-rapid	60–85p+

Based on typical UK rates in late 2024. Always check your own supplier's tariff for precise prices.

Cost per mile comparison

Assuming an average EV efficiency of 3.5 miles per kWh:

Fuel type	Approx. cost per mile
Home EV – smart off-peak	2–4p
Home EV – standard tariff	8–10p
Public rapid EV charging	18–24p
Petrol / diesel car	18–22p

Example: 40mpg at £1.50 per litre is roughly 17p per mile. Efficient EVs on cheap off-peak electricity can be under 3p per mile.

What does this mean for a typical UK driver?

Assume you drive 8,000 miles per year (around 670 miles per month):

On a smart off-peak EV tariff (around 10p per kWh): roughly £20–£25 per month.
On a standard single-rate tariff (around 30p per kWh): roughly £60–£70 per month.
Petrol/diesel equivalent: often £100–£130+ per month.

Switching from a standard tariff to a good EV smart tariff can almost halve your home charging costs again, especially if you do most of your charging overnight.

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Real-world examples: cost to charge at home in the UK

Illustrative costs for common EV battery sizes on typical UK tariffs.

Small EV (40 kWh battery)

Example: city car or small family EV

Real range: ~140 miles per full charge
Efficiency: ~3.5 miles per kWh

Full charge cost (home standard tariff @ 30p/kWh):
40 kWh × 30p = £12.00

Full charge cost (smart off-peak @ 10p/kWh):
40 kWh × 10p = £4.00

Medium EV (60 kWh battery)

Example: popular family hatchbacks / crossovers

Real range: ~210 miles per full charge
Efficiency: ~3.5 miles per kWh

Full charge cost (home standard tariff @ 30p/kWh):
60 kWh × 30p = £18.00

Full charge cost (smart off-peak @ 10p/kWh):
60 kWh × 10p = £6.00

Large EV (80 kWh battery)

Example: larger SUVs, premium EVs

Real range: ~250 miles per full charge
Efficiency: ~3.1 miles per kWh

Full charge cost (home standard tariff @ 30p/kWh):
80 kWh × 30p = £24.00

Full charge cost (smart off-peak @ 10p/kWh):
80 kWh × 10p = £8.00

How this compares to petrol costs

If you currently spend £150 per month on petrol or diesel, moving to an EV charged mostly at home on a smart tariff could reduce this to £25–£40 per month, depending on your mileage and driving style.

Choosing the right electricity tariff for low EV home charging costs

Your tariff choice can be the difference between paying 3p per mile and 10p per mile.

Standard single-rate tariff

Typical rate: 27–32p per kWh all day.

Simple to understand but rarely the cheapest way to charge an EV, especially if you drive more than 5,000 miles per year.

Same price day and night
Best if you charge infrequently
Easy to compare between suppliers

Economy 7 / time-of-use tariffs

Typical off-peak: 12–20p per kWh.

Cheaper overnight rate and a higher daytime rate. Works well if you can schedule your EV charger to run mainly off-peak.

7 hours of cheaper electricity
Needs a compatible meter
Home charger timers help automate charging

Dedicated smart EV tariffs

Typical off-peak: 7–15p per kWh.

Designed specifically for EV drivers. Your charger or car talks to your supplier, so charging automatically shifts into cheaper periods.

Very low off-peak EV rate
Charger/app controlled schedules
Best for regular overnight charging

Tip: if you already have a smart meter, check whether your current supplier offers an EV-specific tariff. If not, switching supplier can dramatically cut your running costs.

What affects EV home charging running costs?

There is more to the cost than just your tariff. Here are the key factors.

1. Your annual mileage

The more you drive, the more electricity you use. As a rule of thumb:

5,000 miles per year: lower usage, home charging savings still meaningful.
8,000–10,000 miles per year: typical UK driver – strong savings versus petrol.
15,000+ miles per year: savings can be dramatic on a smart tariff.

2. Vehicle efficiency (miles per kWh)

Just like mpg for petrol cars, different EVs use different amounts of energy per mile. Typical ranges are:

Very efficient small EV: 4–4.5 miles per kWh
Average family EV: 3–3.8 miles per kWh
Large SUV or performance EV: 2.5–3.2 miles per kWh

If you know your car's typical miles per kWh, you can estimate costs very accurately.

3. Charging habits

Charging style impacts your bill:

Mostly home, off-peak: lowest running costs.
Mix of home and public: costs in the middle.
Mostly public rapid: similar or higher than petrol per mile.

A dedicated home charger with scheduling makes it easy to shift most of your charging to the cheapest hours.

4. Home charger type and settings

The charger itself uses very little power, but smart features have a big impact on cost:

Built-in timers to stick to off-peak windows
Power limits to avoid going over your main fuse capacity
Solar integration (if you have PV) to use free surplus solar energy

A reliable 7kW smart home charger is the sweet spot for most UK households.

How much can you save with home EV charging?

A simple comparison of home charging vs public charging and petrol.

Home charging on smart tariff

Typical annual mileage: 8,000 miles

Efficiency: 3.5 miles per kWh

Off-peak rate: 10p per kWh

Approx. annual cost: ~£230
(around £19 per month)

Home charging on standard tariff

Same mileage and efficiency

Flat rate: 30p per kWh

Approx. annual cost: ~£690
(around £57 per month)

Petrol / diesel car

Equivalent mileage: 8,000 miles

Fuel economy: 40 mpg

Fuel price: £1.50 per litre

Approx. annual cost: ~£1,360
(around £113 per month)

Even compared with standard home electricity, EVs are usually cheaper per mile than petrol. When you add a smart tariff and use your charger overnight, the savings are often enough to cover the cost of the home charger over just a few years.

7 ways to reduce your EV home charger running costs

Simple steps most UK households can take immediately.

Move to a smart EV or time-of-use tariff. Off-peak electricity can be less than half the daytime price. Use your smart charger to schedule overnight charging.
Charge little and often rather than to 100%. Keeping your battery between 20–80% is usually enough and can be more efficient and better for long-term battery health.
Precondition while plugged in. Heat or cool the car while it is still connected to the charger so the energy comes from the grid, not the battery.
Use eco driving modes. Softer acceleration, lower motorway speeds and regen braking can significantly improve miles per kWh.

Limit public rapid charging. Handy for long trips but much more expensive per kWh. Make home charging your default.
Consider solar if you own your roof. Daytime charging from surplus solar can make some journeys effectively free once the system is paid back.
Choose an efficient EV. When comparing models, look at official WLTP efficiency (kWh/100km or miles per kWh) as well as range and price.

Get your personalised EV home charging cost estimate

Tell us about your home, car and mileage and we’ll estimate your annual EV running costs and recommend a suitable home charger.

Full name

Email address

Telephone

Postcode

EV make & model

Approx. annual mileage

Current electricity tariff

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EV home charger running costs – FAQs

Quick answers to common questions from UK homeowners.

Is it cheaper to charge at home than at public chargers?

Almost always, yes. Even on a standard tariff, home charging is usually cheaper than public rapid charging. On a smart EV tariff, home charging can be less than half the cost per mile of public rapid charging.

How much does a full home charge add to my electricity bill?

For a medium-sized 60 kWh EV, a full charge costs roughly £18 on a 30p/kWh tariff, or around £6 on a 10p/kWh off-peak EV tariff. Most drivers do not charge from 0–100% regularly, so typical top-ups are lower.

Will a home charger increase my standing charge?

No. The standing charge is tied to your electricity supply, not the charger. Your usage (kWh) will increase when you charge an EV, but the standing charge usually stays the same unless you change tariff.

Do smart EV tariffs affect all my household electricity?

Some tariffs offer a single cheaper off-peak rate for the whole house, while others only discount electricity used for EV charging. We can help you understand which type of tariff will suit your home best.

Will my charger still work if I change supplier?

Yes. Your EV charger is independent of your electricity supplier. You can switch tariffs or suppliers at any time, and the charger will continue to operate as normal.

Can I see how much each charging session costs?

Most modern smart chargers and many EV apps provide detailed reports showing how many kWh you've used and what that has cost, broken down by day, week or month.

EV home charger running costs UK comparison