3 pin plug
2.3kW
Emergency top ups at home
Very slow
EV CHARGING BASICS
EV charging explained in plain English
If you are new to electric cars, the terminology can feel technical. This guide breaks down kWh, charging speed, and time to charge so you can estimate costs with confidence.
What is kWh
The unit used to measure EV electricity
A kilowatt hour tells you how much electricity your car uses or stores. Think of it as the fuel amount for an EV battery.
Your home tariff is usually priced in pence per kWh. Multiply that by the kWh added during charging to estimate your cost.
Live UK reference rates are published at pricecaprates.co.uk.
Quick calculation
Charging cost formula
kWh added × tariff rate = total session cost
Example
35kWh × 0.08 = £2.80 overnight
This estimate excludes standing charge, which is a daily tariff fee.
Charging speeds
How different chargers affect your time
Fast home charger
7kW
Most home and workplace charging
Standard daily charging
Public rapid
50kW
Motorway and retail destination stops
Useful travel top ups
Ultra rapid
100 to 350kW
Long distance travel and quick turnarounds
Fastest available
How long to charge
Typical charging times by vehicle size
| Vehicle | Battery | 3 pin plug | 7kW home | 50kW rapid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Leaf 40kWh | 40kWh | 17h 20m | 5h 45m | 50m |
| MG4 Standard Range | 51kWh | 22h 10m | 7h 15m | 1h 2m |
| Tesla Model 3 Standard Range | 57.5kWh | 25h | 8h 15m | 1h 10m |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 | 77.4kWh | 33h 40m | 11h 5m | 1h 35m |