How Much Does It Cost to Charge an Electric Car in the UK?
Author
William Dexter | Operations Director
Table of Contents
Author
William Dexter | Operations Director
Table of Contents
How Much Does It Cost to Charge an Electric Car in the UK?
The UK government has a target to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, with an interim target of reducing emissions by 78% by 2035. With this strive towards becoming a net-zero nation, EV vehicles are becoming an ever popular choice for drivers, looking to reduce their carbon footprints, save costs and capitalise on government incentives.
There are many questions that arise when considering an electric vehicle. Will my insurance be higher? What do the running costs look like? Are parts expensive?
In this blog we’ll be exploring the key question: How much does it cost to charge an electric vehicle? Factoring in energy tariffs, battery sizes and charging times.
How much does it cost to charge your EV at home?
Charging at home is typically not only the most convenient, but also the most affordable way of charging your electric vehicle. Almost all EV owners elect to install a home charging point, with this installation being even cheaper for Apartment Owners and Tenants through the Government’s new Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant saving up to £350 off a new charger install.
To find out more about Installing and EV Charger, visit our EV Chargers page.
EV Charging Costs
The benefit of a home charger lies in the time you choose to charge your EV. Many energy providers such as British Gas and Octopus have cheaper overnight rates on their electricity. Meaning charging your car overnight is cheaper than charging at home throughout the day.
According to Ofgem, the average cost of electricity in the UK in 2025 is 27p per kWh in the daytime. Cheaper overnight tariffs vary between suppliers, with British Gas boasting 7p and Octopus offering 12p through off peak times. For this next breakdown we’ll take an average of 9.5p.
To calculate the cost to charge an EV, you need to times the kWh rate of electricity by the battery size so for instance, based on an electricity rate of 27p per kW and a battery size of 80 kW.
The calculation would look as follows:
0.27 x 80 = £21.60
Here are some breakdowns of charging costs for some of the most popular electric vehicles.
Daytime
(Based on an electricity cost of 27p kW)
Make / Model | Battery Size | Cost to Charge | Range | Price per Mile |
Tesla Model S/X | 100kWh | £27 | 390 Miles | 6.9p |
Nissan Leaf | 40kWh | £10.80 | 149 Miles | 7.2p |
VW Golf E | 35.8 kWh | £9.66 | 125 Miles | 7.7p |
Kia e-Niro | 64.8 kWh | £17.49 | 282 Miles | 6.2p |
Renault Zoe | 52 kWh | £14.04 | 239 Miles | 5.8p |
Overnight
(Based on an electricity cost of 9.5p kW)
Make / Model | Battery Size | Cost to Charge | Range | Price per Mile |
Tesla Model S/X | 100 kWh | £9.50 | 390 Miles | 2.4p |
Nissan Leaf | 40 kWh | £3.80 | 149 Miles | 2.5p |
VW Golf E | 35.8 kWh | £3.40 | 125 Miles | 2.7p |
Kia e-Niro | 64.8 kWh | £6.16 | 282 Miles | 2.2p |
Renault Zoe | 52 kWh | £4.94 | 239 Miles | 2p |
Charging at EV Charging Stations
Charging your EV in public locations like supermarket car parks or service stations can be more expensive. The cost here depends on the provider, the type of charger, and the location.
How Much Does It Cost to Use Public Charging?
Charging prices at these locations typically range from 30p to 80p per kW. The cost can also vary depending on whether you’re using a pay-as-you-go service or a subscription-based plan with a network like Ionity, BP Pulse, or Pod Point.
To give you an idea of pricing:
Fast chargers (22-50 kW): Approximately 30p-50p per kW.
Based on the Kia e-Niro with a 64.8kWh battery, a full charge would cost £32.40 giving you a cost per mile of 11.5p.
While this is significantly higher than charging at home, it can be more convenient, especially if you’re on a long journey or don’t have access to home charging.
How Long Does It Take to Charge an Electric Car?
Charging time also plays a part in the cost-effectiveness of owning an electric vehicle. The time it takes to fully charge depends on the charging speed and the charger type:
- Slow Chargers (3kW): Typically take 12-24 hours to fully charge a standard EV.
- Fast Chargers (7-22 kW): Take around 4-8 hours for a full charge.
- Rapid Chargers (50kW): Usually charge an EV to 80% in 30-40 minutes.
- Ultra-Rapid Chargers (100kW or more): Can charge your EV to 80% in as little as 20 minutes.
While ultra-fast chargers are convenient for quick top-ups, they are more expensive than slower options.
Tips to Reduce Charging Costs
Take Advantage of Off-Peak Rates: If you’re on a time-of-use tariff, aim to charge during off-peak hours for the lowest rates.
Use Charging Networks with Discounts: Some networks offer membership cards or subscription plans that provide cheaper rates for regular users.
Charge at Work or Public Locations: If your employer provides charging or if you’re near a free public charging station, use these opportunities to reduce costs.
Be Aware of Charging Speeds: While ultra-fast chargers may be convenient, they are more expensive, so try to use slower chargers when possible to save money.
Conclusion:
The cost of charging an electric vehicle in the UK can vary depending on where you charge and how often you use public chargers. Charging at home is by far the most cost-effective method, with costs ranging from as little as £6 to £20 for a full charge. Public chargers, on the other hand, can be more expensive, particularly fast and ultra-fast chargers.
With the increasing adoption of electric cars, it’s likely that the infrastructure for charging will continue to improve, and with the right energy plan and charging habits, the cost of running an EV will continue to be competitive with traditional petrol or diesel vehicles.
If you’re considering making the switch to an electric car, knowing these costs is a great place to start. Not only can you save on fuel, but you can also contribute to a greener future!
