Cost of Charging an Electric Car UK – Home vs Public Charging

Understanding the true cost of charging an electric car in the UK is essential before making the switch from petrol or diesel. Costs can vary significantly depending on whether you charge at home, use off-peak tariffs, or rely on public rapid chargers.

👉 For a full overview including solar charging, see our solar EV charging cost guide.

For broader system costs, including solar setup, see: solar panel costs in the UK.

Average Cost Per kWh in the UK

Standard home tariff: £0.25–£0.35 per kWh
Off-peak tariffs: £0.07–£0.15 per kWh
Public rapid chargers: £0.60–£0.85 per kWh

Cost Per Full Charge

For a typical 60kWh electric car battery:

Home charging: £12–£20
Off-peak charging: £5–£9
Public rapid charging: £35–£50+

Cost Per Mile Comparison

Home charging: 6–10p per mile
Off-peak charging: 2–5p per mile
Public charging: 15–25p per mile

👉 Wondering how this compares to petrol and diesel? See full EV vs petrol cost comparison .

Why Home Charging is Cheaper

Home charging is significantly cheaper because:

You avoid commercial markups
You can use off-peak tariffs
You can integrate solar panels

Combining home charging with solar panels can reduce costs even further, particularly when energy is generated and used during the day.

👉 Learn how solar panels can reduce EV charging costs further: charging an EV with solar panels.

Public Charging – When It Makes Sense

Public chargers are useful for long journeys and emergencies, but relying on them regularly can make EV running costs similar to petrol.

Reducing Costs with Solar and Battery Storage

The most cost-effective solution is combining home charging with solar panels and battery storage. This allows you to:

Charge your car using free solar energy
Store excess energy for later use
Avoid peak electricity prices

👉 Explore how battery storage helps maximise savings: home battery storage systems.

Summary

Home charging is the cheapest way to run an electric car in the UK, especially when combined with solar panels and battery storage. Public charging should be used as a backup rather than a primary solution.