How Much Does It Cost to Charge an EV at Home?

The cost to charge an EV at home is simply the energy you add in kWh multiplied by your electricity unit price. On an off-peak EV tariff of roughly 7 to 9p per kWh, a full charge can cost only a few pounds, far cheaper than petrol or public rapid charging. When and how you charge makes a big difference to the total.

One of the biggest attractions of an electric car is cheap running costs, but the actual figure depends heavily on your tariff and where you charge. Here is how to work out what a charge really costs you.

The formula

Cost of a charge = Energy added (kWh) x Electricity unit price (pence per kWh).

Energy added is roughly the change in your battery's state of charge multiplied by its capacity. Charging a 60kWh battery from 20 per cent to 80 per cent adds about 36kWh.

Standard rate vs off-peak EV tariff

This is where most of the saving lives. On a standard variable tariff you pay the day rate for every unit. On a dedicated EV or time-of-use tariff, a block of overnight hours is priced far lower, often a fraction of the day rate. Set your car or charger to draw its energy in those hours and the same charge costs a fraction as much.

Cost per full charge: examples

36kWh added at 8p off-peak: under 3 pounds.
36kWh added at a typical standard day rate: several times that.
36kWh at a public rapid charger: more again, reflecting the premium for speed and convenience.

Home vs public charging

Home charging is the cheapest option for everyday use by a wide margin. Public rapid charging is priced for convenience and speed, so it makes sense for longer journeys rather than daily top-ups. If most of your charging happens at home overnight, your average cost per mile stays very low.

Charging from your own solar

If you have solar panels, charging the car from daytime generation is cheaper still, effectively using power you would otherwise export at a low rate. Pairing an EV with solar and a home battery is one of the most cost-effective setups available.

Compare home, off-peak and public charging against petrol for your own car with our free EV charging cost calculator.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to charge an EV at home?

Multiply the kWh you add by your electricity unit rate. Charging a 60kWh battery from near-empty on an 8p off-peak rate costs under 5 pounds. On a standard daytime rate the same charge costs roughly three to four times as much, which is why an EV tariff makes such a difference.

How much can an off-peak EV tariff save?

Dedicated overnight EV tariffs are often a fraction of the standard unit rate. Shifting your charging to those hours can cut charging costs by two-thirds or more compared with charging at the day rate, with no change to how you drive.

Is home charging cheaper than public charging?

Almost always. Public rapid chargers cost considerably more per kWh than home electricity, especially off-peak. Home charging is the cheapest option for daily use, with public charging best kept for longer journeys.

How much cheaper is an EV than petrol per mile?

On an off-peak home tariff, the energy cost per mile is typically a small fraction of the fuel cost of an equivalent petrol car. Our calculator shows your pence-per-mile for each charging option alongside a petrol comparison.