How much does it cost to charge an electric car at home in the UK?
At the July 2026 Ofgem cap rate of 26.11p per kWh, a typical EV costs around 6.2p per mile to charge at home. That is about £496 per year for 8,000 miles.
FREE CALCULATOR
EV Home Charging Cost Calculator
Estimate your annual electric car charging costs at home using your own driving data and compare your current rate against common UK tariff benchmarks.
Calculate your costs
Enter your EV details and electricity rate
Your vehicle details
Your estimated annual EV home charging cost
Select your EV model and enter your mileage above to see your estimated annual home charging costs.
How it works
Our charging cost method
The calculator estimates annual home charging electricity use from your mileage and EV efficiency, or from your direct kWh input. It then applies selected unit rates to estimate annual spend.
Results are designed to give a practical benchmark for comparing your current tariff with common UK reference rates, including EV overnight pricing.
Annual charging cost = Annual home charging kWh × (Unit rate in p/kWh ÷ 100)Disclaimer: figures are estimates only and do not include standing charges, provider fees, or public charging sessions.
Petrol vs EV
Running cost comparison
| Scenario | Unit energy cost | Approx cost per mile | Annual cost at 8,000 miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| EV home charging at Ofgem cap | 26.11p per kWh | 6.2p | £496 |
| EV home charging on cheap fixed tariff | 24p per kWh | 5.7p | £456 |
| EV overnight tariff | 8p per kWh | 1.9p | £152 |
| Public rapid charging | 79p per kWh | 18.8p | £1,504 |
| Petrol car fuel cost | 145p per litre | 14.5p | £1,160 |
| Diesel car fuel cost | 152p per litre | 13.7p | £1,096 |
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about EV charging costs
How much can an EV overnight tariff reduce charging costs?
A dedicated overnight EV tariff can be about 8p per kWh, which can reduce charging cost to around 1.9p per mile for many drivers.
What figures do I need to use the calculator accurately?
You can use annual mileage plus efficiency in miles per kWh, or your charging kWh from your bill or app. Adding your current electricity unit rate gives the most accurate estimate.
Does this calculator include standing charges and public charging?
No. This calculator is focused on home charging unit costs. It does not include standing charges, network fees, or public charging session pricing.
Do I need a smart meter to access the cheapest EV rates?
Most low overnight EV tariffs require a compatible smart meter and often a compatible EV charger or EV integration.
Take the next step
Compare EV friendly electricity tariffs today
Use Utility Matchmaker to compare available electricity deals and check whether a dedicated overnight tariff could cut your home charging costs further.