EVCompare costs

Last updated: 10 May 2026

EV Charging Cost Calculator UK

Estimate the cost to charge your electric car at home, on public chargers, or using a mixed charging routine.

Home standard

24.67p/kWh

Editable default

Off-peak EV

8.7p/kWh

Example cheap rate

Public rapid

79p/kWh

Network prices vary

Built for estimates, not live pricing.

All rates are editable, defaults show a visible update date, and the calculator does not claim live supplier or charger-network prices.

kWh
%
%
%

Typical standard domestic electricity rate.

p/kWh
kW
Advanced options
kWh/100km
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Home vs public charging

Home charging is often cheaper because domestic tariffs can be far below public rapid rates. Using these defaults, the same 40 kWh grid charge costs £3.48 at 8.7p/kWh, £9.87 at 24.67p/kWh, and £31.60 at 79p/kWh.

Read the public charging guide

EV vs petrol running costs

At 24.67p/kWh, 18 kWh/100km and 90% efficiency, the EV estimate is 7.9p per mile. A petrol car at 145p/litre and 40 mpg is 16.5p per mile.

Open the EV vs petrol calculator

Worked examples

60 kWh EV, 20% to 80%

Battery energy added: 36.0 kWh. Grid energy used: 40.0 kWh. At 24.67p/kWh and 90% efficiency, electricity cost is about £9.87 before standing charge.

7,500 miles, 80% home and 20% public

At 18 kWh/100km, 80% home charging at 8.7p/kWh and 20% public charging at 54p/kWh, the estimate is £428.73 per year, or £35.73 per month.

EV at 24.67p/kWh vs petrol

Compared with petrol at 145p/litre and 40 mpg, the illustrative annual saving is £640.43 at 7,500 miles. Exact results vary with prices and efficiency.

Home EV charging cost

Standard tariffs, off-peak rates, wallboxes, and worked examples.

Public charging cost UK

Standard, rapid, ultra-rapid, VAT, idle fees, and why prices vary.

EV cost per mile UK

Calculate pence per mile and compare common p/kWh rates.

EV vs petrol calculator

Compare annual running costs against petrol or diesel cars.

Charging time calculator

Estimate charging duration from battery size, percentage, and kW.

EV tariff calculator UK

Editable example rates for home, off-peak, and public charging.

Electric car examples

Sample battery sizes and charging costs for popular EVs.

EV charging FAQ

Answers to the most common UK EV charging cost questions.

Compare EV tariffs

Use the tariff guide as a starting point, then check supplier-specific prices directly before switching.

View tariff examples

Home charger installation guide

Placeholder for a future home charger installation guide and carefully labelled partner links.

Coming soon

EV charging cost FAQ

How much does it cost to charge an electric car in the UK?+

It depends on battery size, the percentage you add, the pence-per-kWh price, and charging losses. A 60 kWh EV charging from 20% to 80% adds 36 kWh to the battery. At 24.67p/kWh and 90% efficiency, it uses about 40 kWh from the grid and costs about £9.87 before any standing charge.

Is home EV charging cheaper than public charging?+

Usually, yes. Home electricity is commonly much cheaper per kWh than public rapid charging, especially if you use an off-peak EV tariff. Public chargers cost more because operators pay for equipment, sites, maintenance, card payments, network operation, and higher VAT.

What is pence per kWh?+

Pence per kWh is the unit price for electricity. If your tariff is 24.67p/kWh and your car uses 40 kWh from the grid, the electricity cost is 40 x 24.67p, or about £9.87.

What is the cheapest way to charge an EV?+

For many UK drivers, the cheapest routine is overnight home charging on an off-peak EV tariff. The best option depends on whether you can install a charger, your driving pattern, your supplier, and any day-rate trade-offs.

How do I calculate EV cost per mile?+

Convert consumption into grid energy per mile, then multiply by your electricity price. For example, 18 kWh/100km equals about 29.0 kWh/100 miles to the battery. At 90% efficiency the grid supplies about 32.2 kWh, so at 24.67p/kWh the cost is about 7.9p per mile.

Why does charging efficiency matter?+

Some energy is lost as heat and in battery management during charging. If charging efficiency is 90%, adding 36 kWh to the battery needs 40 kWh from the grid. The lower the efficiency, the higher the real cost.

Is rapid charging more expensive?+

Rapid and ultra-rapid charging is usually more expensive than home charging because the hardware, grid connections, site leases, and network operation cost more. It is best for longer trips or drivers without reliable home charging.

How much does it cost to charge a 60 kWh EV?+

A full 60 kWh charge at 90% efficiency needs about 66.7 kWh from the grid. At 7p/kWh it costs about £4.67, at 24.67p/kWh about £16.45, at 54p/kWh about £36.00, and at 79p/kWh about £52.67.