How Much Does It Cost to Charge an Electric Car

For most UK drivers, one of the biggest questions when considering an electric vehicle is how much it costs to charge an electric car. The answer depends on several factors, including where you charge, the size of your car’s battery, your electricity tariff, and how efficiently you drive. In most cases, charging an electric car is far cheaper than filling a petrol or diesel tank, and understanding how charging costs are calculated helps drivers make more informed decisions about owning and running an EV.

Understanding How Charging Costs Are Calculated

Electric cars are powered by electricity measured in kilowatt-hours, or kWh. This unit represents how much energy a battery can store or use, much like litres in a fuel tank. If your car’s battery has a 60kWh capacity, that means it can store 60 kilowatt-hours of energy. The cost of fully charging your car depends on how much you pay per kWh.

In simple terms, you multiply your electricity rate by your car’s battery capacity to estimate the cost of a full charge. For example, at 30 pence per kWh, charging a 60kWh battery would cost around £18. However, factors like charging losses, the type of charger used, and the state of charge of the battery can slightly affect this figure.

How Much Does Home Charging Cost in the UK?

Charging at home is by far the cheapest way to power your electric car. Most UK homes use electricity tariffs ranging between 25p and 35p per kWh. Based on those figures, charging a 40kWh battery would cost around £10 to £14, while a larger 75kWh battery would cost around £19 to £26 for a full charge.

Drivers who take advantage of off-peak electricity tariffs can save even more. Some energy providers offer special electric vehicle rates that drop as low as 10p per kWh during the night. Charging overnight using these rates can cut costs dramatically. For instance, a 60kWh battery that costs £18 to charge on a standard tariff would cost just £6 overnight.

Charging at home also means you have complete control over when and how you charge. Most wall boxes deliver between 7kW and 11kW of power, allowing you to recharge overnight easily. By plugging in after work and unplugging in the morning, your car is always ready for daily driving at minimal cost.

Public Charging Costs

When you charge at public stations, costs vary significantly depending on the type of charger and the network provider. Standard public chargers typically cost between 45p and 55p per kWh, while rapid chargers can reach 65p to 85p per kWh. Ultra-rapid chargers at motorway services can be even more expensive, sometimes charging over 90p per kWh.

To put this into perspective, if your electric car has a 60kWh battery and you use a rapid charger at 75p per kWh, the cost for a full charge would be around £45. In contrast, the same car charged at home might cost only £18. That difference is why most EV drivers prefer to do the majority of their charging at home and rely on public chargers only when necessary.

Some networks also charge connection or session fees, particularly for rapid or ultra-rapid chargers. Others offer subscriptions or membership schemes with discounted rates, which can be worthwhile if you regularly use their network.

How Vehicle Size and Battery Capacity Affect Cost

The size of your electric car’s battery has a direct impact on how much it costs to charge. Smaller city cars like the Fiat 500e or Mini Electric have batteries between 30kWh and 40kWh, costing around £9 to £12 for a full charge at home. Mid-size cars such as the Hyundai Kona Electric or VW ID.3 usually have 58kWh to 64kWh batteries, costing around £15 to £19 to fill.

Larger vehicles like SUVs or performance models, such as the Tesla Model Y or Kia EV9, often feature 75kWh to 100kWh batteries. Charging these from empty could cost £22 to £30 on a standard home tariff, or £50 to £70 using public rapid charging. However, larger batteries also provide greater range, so while the cost per charge is higher, the cost per mile can still be very low.

Real-World Cost Per Mile

A useful way to understand the cost of charging is by looking at pence per mile. This figure reflects how efficiently your car uses electricity. Most modern electric cars achieve between 3 and 4 miles per kWh. If you pay 30p per kWh and your car covers 4 miles per kWh, your cost per mile is around 7.5p.

By comparison, a typical petrol car that averages 40 miles per gallon costs around 16p per mile at current fuel prices. That means driving an electric car can halve your per-mile costs, especially if you mainly charge at home. With off-peak rates, your cost per mile can fall as low as 3p to 4p, making EVs a clear winner for daily commutes and long-term savings.

Other Factors That Influence Charging Costs

Several factors beyond the price of electricity can affect how much it costs to charge your electric car. Charging efficiency is one of them. Some energy is lost during the charging process, usually around 10 per cent, as heat or resistance. Therefore, you might draw slightly more energy from the grid than your battery’s rated capacity.

Temperature can also influence efficiency. Cold weather reduces battery performance, meaning more electricity is needed to achieve the same range. Similarly, using cabin heating, air conditioning, or other high-demand systems can increase overall consumption.

Your charging habits also make a difference. Topping up frequently instead of letting your battery run low helps maintain a steady state of charge, which is more efficient. It also allows you to take advantage of shorter charging times and cheaper electricity rates.

How to Reduce Charging Costs

There are several ways UK drivers can cut the cost of charging their electric cars. Installing a home wall box and switching to a tariff that offers cheaper rates for off-peak hours is the most effective step. Many energy providers offer EV-specific plans that include very low rates during set night-time periods, perfect for charging while you sleep.

Monitoring your car’s efficiency can also help. Driving smoothly, avoiding harsh acceleration, and using regenerative braking effectively can all increase the number of miles you get per kWh. Keeping your tyres properly inflated and planning routes with moderate speeds can improve efficiency too.

If you have solar panels, you can use renewable energy generated at home to charge your car. This can significantly reduce or even eliminate electricity costs during the day, particularly in spring and summer months. Combining solar energy with battery storage systems can make home charging even more economical and sustainable.

Public Charging Tips for Cost Efficiency

When using public chargers, try to plan your stops carefully. Many supermarkets, shopping centres, and retail parks now offer free or discounted charging while you shop. Some public charging networks also provide lower rates for members, so signing up to a loyalty scheme can save money over time.

Avoid leaving your car plugged in longer than necessary, especially at rapid chargers, as some networks apply idle fees once charging is complete. Keeping an eye on your charging session through a mobile app ensures you disconnect promptly once you reach your desired charge level.

Comparing Costs with Petrol and Diesel Cars

When comparing electric cars to traditional vehicles, electricity is still significantly cheaper than fuel. Even at higher public charging rates, EVs usually cost less per mile. The biggest savings, however, come from home charging, especially when using off-peak tariffs.

Over a year, the difference can be substantial. A driver covering 10,000 miles annually at 8p per mile in an EV would spend around £800, compared to £1,600 or more in a petrol car averaging 16p per mile. That saving grows further when factoring in reduced maintenance costs, road tax exemptions, and fewer mechanical issues.

Conclusion: Charging Is Cheaper Than Filling Up

So, how much does it cost to charge an electric car? For most UK drivers, a full charge at home costs between £10 and £25, depending on battery size and electricity rate. Public charging, while more expensive, offers convenience and speed when travelling longer distances. The real benefit comes from home charging, particularly with cheaper night tariffs or renewable energy sources.

By understanding how electricity pricing works and adjusting charging habits, you can keep running costs low and make electric driving both affordable and practical. As charging infrastructure improves and energy tariffs become more flexible, powering an electric car in the UK will continue to be one of the most cost-effective ways to stay on the road.