How Much Does It Cost to Charge an Electric Car

As electric vehicles become increasingly popular across the UK, one of the most common questions drivers ask is how much does it cost to charge an electric car. With fuel prices fluctuating and government incentives encouraging the switch to cleaner transport, understanding the costs of charging at home, at work, and on public networks is essential. While charging an electric car is generally cheaper than refuelling a petrol or diesel vehicle, the exact cost depends on where you charge, the tariff you are on, and the type of charger you use.

Charging at Home

For most EV owners, home charging is the most convenient and cost effective option. A typical home charger is rated at 7kW and is usually installed on a dedicated circuit connected to your consumer unit. The cost of charging depends largely on your electricity tariff. On a standard tariff, the average cost of electricity in the UK is around 28p per kWh. A medium sized electric car with a 60kWh battery would therefore cost about £16 to fully charge from empty.

Many suppliers now offer off peak or smart tariffs designed specifically for electric vehicle owners. These provide cheaper electricity rates during the night, often between midnight and 5am. With these tariffs, the same 60kWh charge could cost as little as £6 to £8. Choosing a suitable tariff can therefore make a big difference to running costs.

Workplace Charging

Some employers provide EV charging points at the workplace. In many cases, charging is offered for free as a staff benefit, while in others a small fee is charged to cover electricity costs. The rate is usually lower than public charging, making workplace charging another cost effective option. Employers that install chargers may also benefit from government schemes, which can reduce the installation cost and encourage staff to make the switch to electric.

Public Charging Networks

Public charging costs vary widely depending on the provider and the speed of the charger. Slow and fast chargers, typically rated up to 22kW, are sometimes free to use, particularly in supermarket or retail car parks. However, rapid and ultra rapid chargers, which can add significant range in 20 to 40 minutes, are usually priced at a higher rate.

Rapid charging typically costs around 60p to 80p per kWh, meaning a full charge for a 60kWh battery could be £36 to £48. While this is more expensive than home charging, it is often necessary for longer journeys where speed and convenience take priority. Some networks offer subscription models where paying a monthly fee gives access to cheaper per kWh rates. This can be worthwhile for drivers who regularly use public charging.

Real World Examples

To put the costs into perspective, consider an electric car with a real world range of 250 miles on a 60kWh battery. Charging at home on a standard tariff would cost around £16, equating to about 6p per mile. On an off peak tariff the same journey might cost 3p per mile. By comparison, a petrol car achieving 40 miles per gallon with fuel at £1.50 per litre would cost about 17p per mile, showing a clear saving in favour of the electric car.

When using rapid chargers, the costs per mile are higher, often around 15p to 20p, but still competitive with petrol or diesel depending on current fuel prices. For most drivers, a combination of home charging and occasional use of public chargers provides the best balance of cost and convenience.

Factors Affecting Charging Costs

The cost to charge an electric car is influenced by several factors beyond electricity tariffs. Battery size is a major consideration, as larger batteries take longer and require more energy to fill, even if they deliver more range. Charging speed also plays a role, as ultra rapid networks tend to be priced higher than slower chargers. The efficiency of the vehicle itself matters too, since different models consume energy at different rates.

Smart charging systems, which automatically adjust charging times to make use of cheaper electricity, can help reduce costs further. Some chargers integrate with solar panels or home battery systems, allowing drivers to use renewable energy to power their car at minimal cost.

Planning for the Future

As the UK continues its transition to electric transport, the cost of charging will remain a key focus for drivers. The government is working with providers to expand public charging infrastructure, and competition between networks should help stabilise or reduce prices over time. Homeowners considering an EV should also factor in the installation cost of a home charger, which can often be partly offset by grants or energy supplier offers.

Final Thoughts

Charging an electric car in the UK can cost as little as a few pounds if you have access to home charging on an off peak tariff, or considerably more if you rely heavily on rapid public chargers. On balance, the majority of drivers will still see significant savings compared to running a petrol or diesel vehicle. Understanding your charging habits, choosing the right tariff, and planning your use of public networks are the best ways to keep running costs affordable while enjoying the benefits of cleaner transport.