How much does it cost to charge an electric car at home?

It depends on your electricity unit rate, your car's efficiency (miles per kWh), how many miles you drive and charging losses. A typical UK EV driving 7,000 miles a year uses around 2,000–2,200 kWh at the wall. At 27p per kWh that's roughly £540–£590 a year — much less on an off-peak EV tariff.

Is public EV charging more expensive than home charging?

Yes — usually much more. Public rapid chargers commonly cost 70–85p per kWh, versus 27p on a standard home tariff or as little as 7p on an off-peak EV tariff. Rapid charging is convenient on long journeys but expensive as your main way of charging.

How much electricity does an EV use each year?

Annual mileage divided by miles per kWh, plus around 10% for charging losses. For 10,000 miles at 3.5 miles/kWh, that's about 2,857 kWh from the battery and roughly 3,140 kWh at the wall.

Are EV tariffs cheaper?

Off-peak EV tariffs can be dramatically cheaper for the hours you charge — often around 7–8p per kWh overnight — but they can come with higher daytime rates, different standing charges or specific eligibility rules (smart meter, EV, sometimes a home charger). Compare your full annual cost, not just the off-peak rate.

Is solar EV charging free?

Not quite. Solar electricity you use to charge your car is electricity you could otherwise have exported and been paid for under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). This calculator values solar charging at your SEG rate (or your own valuation) rather than treating it as completely free, so the savings you see are realistic.

How accurate is the calculator?

It's an estimate. Real charging costs vary with weather, driving style, speed, battery temperature, tyre pressures, charger efficiency and future tariff changes. Use it to compare scenarios and understand what drives your cost, not as a guaranteed bill.

Independent UK EV charging assessment

EV Charging Cost Calculator UK

Estimate how much it costs to charge an electric car at home, at work or on public chargers. Compare your EV charging costs with petrol or diesel and see how your tariff, mileage and charging habits affect the result.

Figures reviewed June 2026 and updated monthly where appropriate. All results are estimates.

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Tell us how far you drive and how efficient your EV is.

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UK average is around 7,000 miles per year.

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Selecting a car fills in a typical efficiency.

Efficiency (miles per kWh)

Most electric cars achieve between 3 and 4 miles per kWh in normal UK driving.

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Independent PowerGuardian scores out of 100 for relevant suppliers, as at 11 August 2026.

Octopus Energy

91/100

Octopus continues to lead the UK market on customer service and complaint handling, backed by genuinely competitive smart tariffs and strong financial backing. The clear front-runner on our intelligence dashboard.

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OVO Energy

63/100

OVO is a competent mid-tier supplier with good digital tools and competitive fixes, held back by inconsistent customer service and heavy bundle upselling.

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EDF Energy

74/100

EDF is a steady, financially robust supplier with mid-table service and fair fixed-tariff renewals. Few surprises in either direction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions people ask most about this topic.

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EV Charging Cost Guide UK 2026

The real cost of charging an electric vehicle in the UK — home vs public charging, tariff options and how to cut your cost per mile.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to charge an EV at home?

What is the best energy tariff for an electric vehicle?

How much does it cost to charge an EV per mile?

Do I need a smart meter to get an EV tariff?

Can I charge an EV from solar panels?

EV Charging Cost Guide UK 2026

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