This is probably the single most-asked question we get from anyone considering the switch to electric and fairly enough, because “it depends” isn’t a very satisfying answer when you’re trying to work out whether an EV actually makes financial sense for you. The honest truth is that home charging costs do vary quite a bit depending on your electricity tariff, your car’s battery size, and how efficiently you’re charging. But once you understand the handful of variables involved, working out your own numbers becomes pretty straightforward.
Let’s break it down properly.
The Basic Formula
At its simplest, the cost of charging an EV at home comes down to one calculation:
Battery size (kWh) × electricity rate (pence per kWh) = cost per full charge
So if you’ve got a 60kWh battery and you’re paying 28p per kWh on a standard rate, a full charge from empty costs roughly £16.80. Charge to 80% rather than 100% (which is genuinely how most EV owners charge day-to-day, and often recommended for battery longevity), and you’re looking at closer to £13.40.
Compare that to filling a petrol tank, and the difference is usually stark which is exactly why so many drivers switch in the first place. But the real number depends heavily on the two variables in that formula, so let’s look at each one.
Variable One: Your Electricity Rate
This is where the cost picture changes the most, and it’s also where the biggest savings opportunities live.
Standard variable rate. If you’re on a typical day-rate tariff with no time-of-use structure, you’ll pay the same rate whether you charge at 3pm or 3am. This is the most expensive way to charge an EV at home, simply because you’re not taking advantage of any off-peak pricing.
EV-specific and off-peak tariffs. Most UK energy suppliers now offer dedicated EV tariffs with a much cheaper overnight rate, sometimes a fraction of the standard day rate specifically designed to encourage charging during low-demand hours. If you’re not on one of these already, switching is usually the single biggest cost-saving step available to you.
Smart charger scheduling. This is where your charger itself plays a role. A smart charger can be scheduled to automatically start charging once off-peak rates kick in and stop before they end, meaning you don’t have to remember to plug in at 1am yourself. Our guide on smart EV chargers and V2G explains how this scheduling functionality works in practice, and it’s worth understanding before you choose which charger to install.
Solar power. If you’ve got solar panels, some or even most of your charging can be effectively free, depending on your system size and how your charging schedule lines up with daylight hours. We’ve covered how this works in detail in our guide on solar-powered EV charging.
Variable Two: Charger Type and Speed
The charger you install doesn’t just affect how fast your car charges it affects the practical cost picture too, mainly through efficiency and how well it works with time-of-use tariffs.
3kW, 7kW and 22kW chargers all cost roughly the same per kWh of electricity used, since the underlying tariff cost is the same regardless of speed but the practical cost difference comes from convenience and how well each charger fits your actual usage pattern. Our full breakdown in 3kW vs 7kW vs 22kW home EV chargers explains which speed makes sense for different households and driving patterns.
A granny charger (charging directly from a standard 3-pin plug) is technically the cheapest to install but the slowest and least efficient option for regular use, and isn’t something we’d generally recommend as a long-term solution. Our guide on what is a granny charger and what is a granny EV charger explains why a dedicated home charger tends to work out better both in cost and convenience over time.
Tethered vs untethered chargers is more of a practical preference than a cost difference, but it’s worth understanding before you choose our comparison of tethered vs untethered EV chargers.
A Real-World Example
Let’s put some actual numbers against this. Say you’re driving a mid-size EV with a 60kWh battery and averaging around 200 miles a week.
On a standard variable rate of roughly 28p/kWh, charging that weekly mileage might cost somewhere in the region of £16–£18 a week, depending on your car’s real-world efficiency.
Switch to a dedicated EV overnight tariff, and that same weekly charging cost can drop substantially often to a third or less of the standard rate, simply by shifting your charging to off-peak hours using a smart charger’s scheduling function.
Add solar into the mix, and depending on your system and the time of year, a portion of that cost can effectively disappear altogether.
This is the kind of gap that makes tariff choice and charger scheduling far more important to your actual running costs than the charger’s raw power output.
How Charging Costs Compare Internationally
If you’re weighing up EV running costs against petrol or diesel more broadly, it’s worth knowing that home charging tends to be dramatically cheaper than public charging almost everywhere, not just in the UK. Countries with strong off-peak or time-of-use electricity structures (much of Europe, parts of North America, and increasingly Australia) see similar patterns: home charging on an off-peak tariff typically costs a fraction of what public rapid charging costs, and a fraction of equivalent fuel costs for a comparable petrol or diesel vehicle. The exact numbers shift with local electricity pricing, but the underlying principle of home charging on the right tariff is by far the cheapest way to run an EV holds true well beyond the UK.
Other Costs Worth Factoring In
The per-charge cost is only part of the picture. A few other cost considerations worth knowing about before you commit:
Installation cost itself. This is a one-off cost that varies by property and charger type our guide on how much does EV charger installation cost in the UK and our breakdown of EV charger installation labour cost both give realistic figures.
Government grants. Depending on your circumstances, some installations are still eligible for grant support that reduces the upfront cost significantly. See our guide on EV charger installation grants in the UK for current eligibility.
Insurance implications. A professionally installed and certified charger generally shouldn’t affect your home insurance, but it’s worth knowing what to check. Our guide on does an EV charger affect home insurance covers this.
VAT and tax relief, particularly relevant if you’re installing through a business our guides on VAT on EV charger installation and EV charger installation tax relief for UK businesses break down what’s claimable.
Charging at Home vs Charging in London Specifically
If you’re based in London, home charging economics can look a little different depending on your property type. Many London homes are flats or terraced properties without off-street parking, which affects both installation feasibility and, indirectly, cost; a driveway installation is generally simpler and cheaper than one requiring cable routing across shared or public space. If you’re in a flat or rented property, our guide on EV charger installation for flats and rented properties is worth reading before assuming home charging isn’t an option for you.
For London-based installations specifically, or for commercial and workplace sites across the capital, see our pages on commercial EV charger installation in London and workplace EV charger installation.
Areas We Cover
We install home and commercial EV chargers across London and the surrounding boroughs, including:
Barnet · Brent · Croydon · Ealing · Richmond upon Thames · Sutton · Tower Hamlets · Waltham Forest · Wandsworth · Watford · Westminster
See our full location page for the complete list of areas we serve.
Cost of Charging an EV at Home FAQs
How much does it cost to fully charge an electric car at home?
It depends on your battery size and electricity rate, but a typical mid-size EV on a standard tariff usually costs somewhere between £10 and £20 for a full charge.
Is it cheaper to charge an EV overnight?
Yes. Dedicated EV or off-peak tariffs can reduce your charging cost substantially compared with a standard daytime rate, sometimes to a fraction of the price.
Does the charger speed (3kW, 7kW, 22kW) affect how much I pay?
Not directly. You are paying for the electricity used, not the charging speed. Faster chargers simply deliver the same amount of electricity more quickly.
Is home charging cheaper than public EV charging?
Almost always, yes. Public rapid charging, particularly at motorway service stations, typically costs significantly more per kWh than charging at home on a suitable electricity tariff.
How much does solar power reduce my EV charging costs?
It depends on your solar system size and charging schedule, but some households can cover a meaningful portion of their EV charging needs from solar generation alone, particularly when charging during periods of strong solar output.
Do I need a smart charger to access cheaper overnight rates?
Not strictly, but a smart charger makes it far more convenient. It can automatically schedule charging to start and stop within your off-peak window, helping you make better use of cheaper electricity rates.
Is charging an EV cheaper than running a petrol car?
In most cases, yes, particularly when charging at home on an off-peak tariff. The difference in energy costs per mile can be substantial compared with equivalent petrol or diesel running costs.
Does EV charging cost vary a lot between countries?
Yes. Charging costs depend on local electricity prices and available tariffs. However, the general pattern of home charging on off-peak rates being cheaper than public charging or petrol tends to apply across many markets.
Can I estimate my own EV charging costs before installing a charger?
Yes. Using your car’s usable battery capacity and electricity tariff, the basic formula of battery size multiplied by the rate per kWh gives a reasonable estimate of the cost of a full charge. Actual costs can vary slightly because of charging losses.
Does a granny charger cost less to run than a dedicated home charger?
The electricity cost is broadly the same based on the same electricity tariff. A granny charger is simply much slower than a dedicated home charger and is generally less suitable for regular high-volume EV charging.
Will installing an EV charger increase my electricity bill significantly?
It will increase your household electricity usage because you are charging the vehicle at home. However, with the right tariff and charging schedule, the added electricity cost per mile can be considerably lower than the equivalent cost of petrol or diesel.
Are there any grants that reduce the overall cost of going electric?
Depending on your circumstances, grant schemes may reduce the upfront cost of installing an EV charger. These incentives are separate from your ongoing electricity and charging costs, and eligibility can vary.
Work Out Your Own Numbers
Every household’s charging costs come down to a slightly different combination of tariff, charger type and driving pattern, so the most useful next step is getting a proper assessment of your specific setup rather than relying on general averages. Get in touch via our contact page or request a quote to talk through what home charging would actually cost for your situation.
