EV home charger running costs UK comparison
Compare electricity tariffs and estimate your EV charging costs at home. Tell us a few details and EnergyPlus will help you find whole-of-market options that could lower your pence-per-mile.
- See what you could pay per full charge and per mile on your current setup
- Compare standard, EV-friendly and smart tariffs (whole-of-market view)
- Works for home charging only (not business energy)
- Get results based on your postcode, EV battery size and typical mileage
Estimates are indicative and depend on your tariff rates, charging losses and EV efficiency. We’ll use your details to provide tailored comparisons.
Compare EV home charging running costs based on your home
Your EV home charger running costs depend primarily on your electricity unit rate (p/kWh), when you charge (peak vs off-peak), and how efficiently your car turns kWh into miles. With the right tariff and charging schedule, many households can reduce the cost of charging compared with standard variable rates.
EnergyPlus compares whole-of-market options to help you understand what you could pay for:
- Cost per full charge (based on battery size)
- Cost per 100 miles (based on your typical efficiency)
- Monthly home charging spend (based on your mileage)
- Potential impact of smart/off-peak charging
Home energy only: this page and form are for residential addresses in Great Britain. If you need business energy, please use our business comparison route instead.
Get your personalised comparison
Tell us a few details and we’ll match you to suitable home electricity deals, including EV-friendly options where available.
What you’ll need
- Your postcode
- Approx. EV battery size (kWh) and typical miles per month (optional)
- Whether you can charge mostly overnight (optional)
Why EV charger running costs vary so much in the UK
Your unit rate (p/kWh)
Home charging cost is largely kWh used × your electricity unit price. Even a few pence difference can add up across thousands of miles per year.
When you charge
Many EV-friendly or time-of-use tariffs offer cheaper off-peak rates. If you can charge overnight, your cost per mile may drop significantly.
Real-world efficiency & losses
Cold weather, short trips, high speeds and heating reduce miles per kWh. Plus, charging losses (often ~8–15%) mean you may buy more kWh than your battery stores.
Battery size & charging habits
A larger battery costs more to fill from empty. But many drivers top-up little and often, so monthly mileage is often the best driver of spend.
Standing charge
Some tariffs offset a low unit rate with a higher standing charge. Comparing the total bill matters, especially for lower usage households.
Smart meter & tariff availability
Some EV tariffs require a smart meter and compatible set-up. We’ll help you identify suitable options for your address and preferences.
EV home charger running costs: what you actually pay for
In the UK, the ongoing cost of charging an EV at home is mainly electricity. The charger itself uses little extra power beyond what goes into the car, but you should allow for charging losses and any smart features you choose to use.
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Step 1: Estimate energy used (kWh)
You can estimate energy consumption either from your EV’s efficiency (miles per kWh) or from battery size. A simple method is: miles ÷ miles-per-kWh = kWh needed.
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Step 2: Add charging losses
Not all electricity drawn from the mains ends up stored in the battery. As a rough guide, add 8–15% to your kWh estimate to cover losses (varies by vehicle, temperature and charging power).
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Step 3: Multiply by your unit rate (p/kWh)
If you charge on a time-of-use tariff, use the relevant rate for your charging window (e.g., overnight off-peak). Cost = kWh × unit rate (plus your standing charge as part of the overall bill).
Tip: If your charger or car supports scheduled charging, you may be able to set it to start automatically in off-peak hours to target cheaper rates.
Choosing a tariff for EV home charging
An EV-friendly electricity tariff can make a big difference to running costs, but the “best” tariff depends on your household usage, charging routine, and whether you can shift other electricity use (washing machine, dishwasher, immersion heater) into cheaper periods.
Standard single-rate tariffs
Simple pricing: one unit rate all day. This may suit you if you can’t reliably charge off-peak or if your overall deal is competitive.
- Easy to budget
- No need to change habits
- Compare total cost (unit rate + standing charge)
Time-of-use / EV tariffs
Different prices at different times. Often includes a lower overnight rate designed for EV charging, sometimes with a higher day rate.
- Potentially lower cost per mile if you charge overnight
- May require a smart meter
- Best value depends on how much you can shift off-peak
Smart charging & automation
Some suppliers and apps optimise charging to match cheaper periods or grid conditions. If you have a compatible charger/car, smart schedules can help you hit the lowest rates more consistently.
What to check before switching
Look at exit fees, the length of the tariff, how rates vary by time, and whether your charging window fits the off-peak period. We’ll help you compare on like-for-like terms.
Whole-of-market comparison: EnergyPlus considers a broad range of UK home electricity options to help you find a deal that suits both EV charging and the rest of your household usage.
Example EV charging costs (UK) — quick comparison table
Use the table below to sanity-check your current costs. These examples assume a 60 kWh battery and show the cost to add 60 kWh from the mains (before/without standing charge). Real costs vary by losses and how full your battery is when you plug in.
| Unit rate | Cost per kWh | Approx. cost to add 60 kWh | If your EV averages 3.5 miles/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Off-peak (very low) | 10p | £6.00 | ~2.9p per mile |
| Off-peak (typical) | 15p | £9.00 | ~4.3p per mile |
| Standard single-rate | 25p | £15.00 | ~7.1p per mile |
| Standard single-rate (high) | 30p | £18.00 | ~8.6p per mile |
To factor in charging losses: multiply the “kWh added” by ~1.1 (10% loss). For example, to add 60 kWh to the battery you might draw ~66 kWh from the wall, depending on conditions.
Common mistakes when comparing EV home charging costs
Comparing tariffs by off-peak rate only
A very low overnight rate can be offset by a higher day rate or standing charge. The right comparison is the total household cost for your usage pattern.
Ignoring seasonal efficiency
Winter range and efficiency can drop. If you’re budgeting, use a conservative miles/kWh figure for colder months.
Assuming you always charge from empty to full
Most drivers top-up. Estimating cost from your monthly mileage is usually more accurate than “full charge” maths.
Not checking compatibility
Some EV tariffs require a smart meter and may work best with scheduled/smart charging. We’ll help identify options that fit your set-up.
Regional considerations across Great Britain
Your home electricity prices can vary depending on your electricity distribution region (part of what your postcode determines). This can affect the unit rate and standing charge offered to you.
Standing charge differences
Standing charges can vary by region and tariff. If you have low household usage outside EV charging, it’s especially important to compare total costs.
Tariff availability
Not every tariff is available everywhere. A whole-of-market comparison helps you see what’s actually available for your address.
Smart meter status
If you don’t currently have a smart meter, you may still be able to switch, but time-of-use options can depend on metering compatibility.
EV home charger running costs UK: FAQs
How much does it cost to charge an EV at home in the UK?
It depends on your electricity unit rate and how many kWh you add. As a rough guide, cost = kWh × p/kWh. For example, adding 60 kWh at 25p/kWh costs about £15 (excluding standing charge). Off-peak rates can be lower, reducing the cost.
Is it cheaper to charge overnight?
Often, yes—if you’re on a time-of-use or EV tariff with a cheaper off-peak window. The key is whether you can schedule charging to happen during those hours and whether the tariff’s day rates/standing charge still work for your household overall.
Does a 7kW charger cost more to run than a 3-pin plug?
Not necessarily. You pay for energy (kWh) rather than charging power (kW). A dedicated home charger can be more efficient and safer than a 3-pin plug, but the main driver of cost is your tariff and how much you charge.
What is a good pence-per-mile cost for home charging?
It varies by EV efficiency and unit rate. If your car averages 3.5 miles/kWh, then at 25p/kWh you’d pay about ~7.1p per mile (before losses). Lower off-peak rates can reduce this further.
Do I need a smart meter for an EV tariff?
Many time-of-use and EV-specific tariffs require a smart meter, but not all deals do. If you submit your postcode and preferences, we can highlight suitable options and any requirements.
Will switching tariff affect my EV charger warranty or operation?
Switching your electricity tariff doesn’t normally affect your charger hardware. What can change is how you schedule charging to take advantage of cheaper periods, especially if you use smart charging features.
Trust & social proof
Home energy choices can feel complicated—especially when EV charging is part of the picture. Our aim is to make comparisons clearer and more relevant to how you actually use energy at home.
“The breakdown by off-peak charging made it obvious what I should switch to. I’m paying less per mile now.”
— Home EV driver, Yorkshire
“I thought the cheapest overnight rate would win, but the comparison showed the day rate mattered for us. Useful and clear.”
— Family household, South East
“Quick form, then the results were tailored to my postcode and usage. Helped me understand monthly charging costs.”
— Flat owner, Greater Manchester
What we compare: suitable home electricity tariffs based on your details, availability and preferences. Exact prices and terms come from suppliers and can change.
Ready to compare your EV home charging costs?
Get a personalised view of your likely running costs and compare whole-of-market home electricity options that may reduce what you pay per charge.
- Tailored to your postcode
- Designed for home energy customers
- Includes EV-friendly tariff considerations
Start in under 2 minutes
We’ll use your details to provide relevant comparisons and contact you about your options.
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