2M+
Battery EVs on UK roads
Demand for low cost home charging keeps rising each year.
UK EV CHARGING CALCULATOR
How much does it cost to charge your electric car at home?
Use our UK calculator to estimate your home EV charging costs by tariff, battery size, and monthly mileage. Compare specialist EV tariffs against a standard unit rate and see your likely annual savings.
UK-focused assumptions for electricity rates and mileage
Compare home charging against rapid and ultra-rapid public charging
See your potential savings in pence per mile and yearly spend
TYPICAL EFFICIENT EV
~2p/mile
Based on off-peak home charging and a 4 mi/kWh efficiency profile.
EV tariff off-peak7.5p / kWh
Typical standard tariff26.0p / kWh
Public rapid charging79.0p / kWh
Home off-peak charging can cost around 90% less per mile than ultra rapid public charging.
UK EV CHARGING SNAPSHOT
Key numbers drivers compare first
8p
Typical EV off-peak rate
Many overnight tariffs sit around this level for charging windows.
79p
Typical public rapid unit rate
Public charging is often convenient but much more expensive.
119K
Public charge points in UK
Network growth continues, but price differences remain significant.
HOME VS PUBLIC CHARGING
See the cost difference per mile and per year
Home off-peak EV tariff
Around 7.5p to 9p per kWh overnight on many specialist plans.
~2p/mile
Home standard tariff
Standard domestic rates are usually much higher for charging.
~6.5p/mile
Public rapid charging
Commonly around 79p per kWh, with some higher ultra-rapid options.
~19.8p/mile
Savings summary
Save roughly £1,300 per year by charging at home off-peak instead of mostly using rapid public charging.
Example assumes 10,000 miles per year and 4 miles per kWh efficiency.
The gap between those three figures comes down to one thing: when you charge. Public rapid chargers run on commercial electricity rates with infrastructure costs, network fees, and operator margin built in. Home charging on a standard tariff uses domestic electricity at the Ofgem cap rate. A dedicated EV overnight tariff shifts your charging into the hours when grid demand is lowest, typically 11:30pm to 5:30am, when wholesale electricity costs a fraction of the daytime rate.
Switching to an EV overnight tariff does not require changing your car or your charger in most cases. You switch your energy supplier or tariff, set your car or charger to charge overnight, and the savings accumulate automatically. The calculator on this site shows the exact saving for your specific vehicle and mileage.
Calculate your saving: EV charging cost calculatorEV TARIFFS UK
Compare specialist home charging tariffs
EV tariffs are designed to reduce charging costs overnight, often with a short off-peak window and higher daytime rates. The best option depends on your charging habits, home battery setup, and whether you can schedule charging automatically.
Intelligent Octopus is often highlighted for managed charging, but there are several competitive alternatives worth checking before switching.
Featured option
Intelligent Octopus
Smart managed charging windows with competitive overnight unit pricing.
OVO Charge Anytime
App-based charging rate separate from your core home electricity tariff.
E.ON Next Drive
Fixed overnight window for lower EV charging unit rates.
British Gas EV Tariff
Time-of-use pricing aimed at overnight home charging needs.
Tariffs, rates, and availability vary by postcode, meter setup, and eligibility checks. Always review current supplier terms before switching.
EV CHARGING GUIDES
Helpful guides before you switch or charge
COST GUIDE5 min read
Home vs public EV charging: the full cost comparison
Home charging costs approximately 8p per kWh on a dedicated EV tariff. Public rapid charging averages 79p per kWh. For a driver covering 8,000 miles per year, the difference exceeds £1,300 annually.
SWITCHING GUIDE4 min read
Do you need a smart meter to get an EV overnight tariff?
Most dedicated EV overnight tariffs require a smart meter so your supplier can measure half-hourly consumption and apply the cheaper rate during the overnight window.
EXPLAINER6 min read
EV charging explained: kWh, speeds and home setups
What does kWh mean for EV charging? What separates a 3-pin plug from a 7kW wallbox? How long does charging take from empty? The answers in plain English.
CALCULATOR GUIDE4 min read
EV cost per mile: how to calculate it and what to expect
On an EV overnight tariff at 8p per kWh with a typical efficiency of 4.2 miles per kWh, the cost runs under 2p per mile, compared to approximately 15p per mile for petrol.
Ready to estimate your EV charging costs and compare tariffs?
Run the calculator for a personalised estimate, then compare live home energy deals that could cut your charging spend.