How Much Does It Cost to Charge an Electric Car in the UK?

Charging costs at a glance

What you pay depends on three things: where you charge, the size of your car's battery, and which tariff or network you use. The table below covers the main scenarios using current 2026 figures. Electricity rates change quarterly — check Ofgem and individual networks for the latest.

Rates as of Q2 2026. Home standard rate from Ofgem price cap. Public network rates from Zapmap network data. Figures assume 0% to 100% charge; real-world charging typically starts at 10–20% state of charge.

Home charging: the cheapest way to charge

The majority of UK EV owners do 80 to 90% of their charging at home. It is the most convenient option and, on the right tariff, by far the cheapest.

Standard rate home charging

The Ofgem electricity price cap for Q2 2026 is approximately 24.5p per kWh for a typical household. If you charge using a standard plug or a home wallbox on a flat-rate tariff, this is roughly what you pay per unit.

At that rate and assuming average real-world EV efficiency of around 3.5 miles per kWh, you pay approximately 7p per mile to charge at home. A petrol car averaging 40 mpg at 148p per litre costs around 16p per mile in fuel. Home charging at the standard rate is still roughly half the per-mile cost of petrol.

Overnight EV tariffs

Specialist EV electricity tariffs charge a lower rate overnight — typically between midnight and 6am — and a higher rate during the day. You schedule your car to charge during the off-peak window and save significantly.

Common overnight EV tariffs in 2026 and their approximate off-peak rates:

• Octopus Go — around 7p/kWh overnight
• OVO EV Everywhere — around 8–9p/kWh overnight
• EON Drive — around 7.5p/kWh overnight
• E.ON Next Drive — around 8p/kWh overnight
• EDF GoElectric — around 9p/kWh overnight

At 7p/kWh, a full 60 kWh charge costs just £4.20. Across a typical year of 10,000 miles at 3.5 miles per kWh, your total charging cost would be around £200 — a saving of roughly £800 versus the standard rate and well over £1,000 against petrol.

Most EV manufacturers and home charger apps include a charge scheduling function. You set your departure time, the car or charger calculates when to start, and charging happens automatically in the off-peak window.

Do you need a home wallbox?

Technically you can charge from a standard 3-pin plug (a "granny cable") overnight. A 3-pin plug delivers around 2.3 kW, which adds roughly 8 miles of range per hour — adequate for low-mileage drivers. However, a 7 kW wallbox is strongly recommended for practical daily use. It charges three times faster, is safer for long-term use, and is typically required to access the best overnight EV tariffs.

A 7 kW wallbox installed costs £800 to £1,200 including labour. The OZEV Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) grant offers £350 off for renters and flat owners with off-street parking. If you own a detached house with a driveway, you no longer qualify for the grant — but the payback in tariff savings typically comes within two to three years.

Public charging: understanding the cost

Public charging has become significantly more expensive relative to home charging over the past two years. Network operators face high grid connection costs, business energy rates, and rising maintenance overheads, all of which are passed to drivers.

Slow and fast AC chargers (3–22 kW)

Slower AC chargers are typically found in car parks, supermarkets, retail parks, and on-street. They are most useful for topping up during a shopping trip or a long stay, not for rapid refuelling. Many remain free to use, particularly at destination venues such as hotels and leisure centres. Paid slow chargers typically cost 35 to 55p per kWh in 2026 (Zapmap network survey data).

A 22 kW AC fast charger can charge a typical EV from 20% to 80% in around two hours. At 45p/kWh that costs roughly £12 to £18 for the 60% charge added — broadly comparable to two to three litres of petrol per hour of charge time.

Rapid DC chargers (50–150 kW)

Rapid chargers sit in motorway services, petrol forecourts, and dedicated charge hubs. They add 100 miles or more in 20 to 30 minutes. The speed premium is significant: most rapid chargers charge 65 to 85p per kWh in 2026.

Charging costs by network (approximate rapid charging rates, Q2 2026):

• bp pulse — from 69p/kWh
• Pod Point — from 60p/kWh (some free locations)
• Osprey — from 65p/kWh
• Gridserve — from 79p/kWh
• Mer (formerly Vattenfall) — from 72p/kWh
• Char.gy — from 55p/kWh (primarily lamp-post slow)

Subscription plans can reduce costs by 5 to 15p/kWh on some networks. If you use a particular network regularly, check whether a monthly plan makes financial sense.

Ultra-rapid chargers (150 kW+)

Ultra-rapid chargers at motorway services such as Gridserve Electric Highway and the Tesla Supercharger network can add 100 miles in 15 minutes for compatible vehicles. They are also the most expensive public option, with rates of 79 to 95p per kWh common in 2026. Tesla Supercharger rates for non-Tesla vehicles (now open to all) sit at approximately 79p/kWh during off-peak periods.

For a long motorway journey requiring two rapid top-ups, you might spend £25 to £35 in charging — more than petrol for many medium-sized cars. The efficiency advantage is partially offset by the premium rate. If you plan regular long motorway trips, factor public rapid charging costs into your total running cost calculation.

Cost per mile: how charging compares to petrol

The per-mile fuel cost comparison depends heavily on your charging mix. Most EV owners do the majority of miles on home charging; public rapid is reserved for long journeys.

Efficiency figure of 3.5 miles/kWh is a general UK average. Actual efficiency varies by vehicle, driving style, weather, and load. Petrol/diesel prices from RAC Fuel Watch Q2 2026.

The key insight here is that rapid public charging eliminates most of the per-mile cost advantage over petrol. If you cannot charge at home and rely primarily on public rapid chargers, an EV may not be significantly cheaper to fuel than a modern efficient petrol car. However, most UK EV drivers do the vast majority of miles on home charging, where the advantage is clear and consistent.

Annual charging cost estimate

A typical UK driver covers around 8,000 to 10,000 miles per year. Assuming average real-world efficiency of 3.5 miles per kWh and a 90/10 split between home and public charging:

Illustrative figures. Real-world efficiency, exact tariff rates, and charging mix all affect actual costs.

Tips for keeping charging costs down

• Switch to an overnight EV tariff. This single change typically saves £300 to £500 per year in charging costs compared with the standard rate.
• Charge to 80%, not 100%. Stopping at 80% state of charge is better for battery longevity on most EVs and avoids the slower charging speed above 80%.
• Pre-condition on mains. Heating or cooling the cabin while still plugged in uses grid electricity, not battery power, saving range.
• Use workplace charging where available. Many employers offer free or subsidised charging as a workplace benefit.
• Check for network subscription deals. If you use a public network regularly, a monthly subscription can reduce per-kWh costs by 5 to 15p.
• Avoid ultra-rapid on regular commutes. Save the expensive motorway chargers for long journeys; use slower cheaper options for top-ups.