How much does it cost to charge an electric car at home?

Multiply the kWh you use by your electricity rate in pence per kWh. For example, 2,400 kWh per year at 24p/kWh costs about £576. Off-peak EV tariffs can reduce this if you charge overnight.

How many kWh does an electric car use per mile?

It varies by model and driving style. Many UK EVs use roughly 0.25–0.35 kWh per mile (25–35 kWh per 100 miles). Larger or less efficient cars use more. Check your car's official efficiency figure or use the calculator to try different values.

Is public charging more expensive than home charging?

Usually yes. Public charge points, especially rapid chargers, often charge 50–80p/kWh or more, while home tariffs are commonly 22–28p/kWh. If you use public chargers frequently, blended costs rise—enter a public charging share in the calculator to model this.

How does EV charging compare to petrol costs?

At typical UK prices, home charging often works out at roughly 6–10p per mile, while petrol might be 12–18p per mile depending on MPG and fuel price. Use our EV vs petrol cost calculator for a full side-by-side comparison including tax and servicing.

EV charging cost calculator UK

Estimate how much you will spend charging an electric car each year. Enter your annual mileage, energy efficiency and a mix of home and public charging rates. Estimates only—not a quote from an energy supplier.

Reviewed by: James Hartley, Independent personal finance editorLast updated: 08 June 2026

Disclaimer

This calculator is for estimation only. It is not financial advice and does not represent a lending decision. Your actual affordability and car finance options in the UK depend on your circumstances and the criteria of individual UK lenders. Always check real quotes from lenders or speak to a regulated financial adviser before committing.

Your charging estimate

Annual charging cost: £797
Monthly average: £66
Cost per mile: £0
kWh per year: 2400 kWh
Blended rate: 33.2p/kWh

Based on a mix of home and public charging. Actual costs depend on your tariff, charger speeds and driving style.

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Use the calculators on this site to see a rough budget, then check live offers with UK finance providers. We are not a lender and we do not make lending decisions—everything here is an estimate only.

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Typical UK charging costs

At 8,000 miles per year and 30 kWh per 100 miles, you use about 2,400 kWh annually. All-home charging at 24p/kWh costs roughly £576 per year (~£48/month). If 30% of charging is on public networks at 70p/kWh, the blended cost rises to around £650–£700 per year.

Compare against petrol using our EV vs petrol cost calculator.

EV charging costs – FAQs

How much does it cost to charge an electric car at home?
Multiply the kWh you use by your electricity rate in pence per kWh. For example, 2,400 kWh per year at 24p/kWh costs about £576. Off-peak EV tariffs can reduce this if you charge overnight.
How many kWh does an electric car use per mile?
It varies by model and driving style. Many UK EVs use roughly 0.25–0.35 kWh per mile (25–35 kWh per 100 miles). Larger or less efficient cars use more. Check your car's official efficiency figure or use the calculator to try different values.
Is public charging more expensive than home charging?
Usually yes. Public charge points, especially rapid chargers, often charge 50–80p/kWh or more, while home tariffs are commonly 22–28p/kWh. If you use public chargers frequently, blended costs rise—enter a public charging share in the calculator to model this.
How does EV charging compare to petrol costs?
At typical UK prices, home charging often works out at roughly 6–10p per mile, while petrol might be 12–18p per mile depending on MPG and fuel price. Use our EV vs petrol cost calculator for a full side-by-side comparison including tax and servicing.

Sources & notes

Our calculators and guides draw on publicly available UK guidance. We review content periodically but do not guarantee that external sources remain unchanged. See our about page for how we use these tools.

Sources

MoneyHelper – Electric and hybrid cars
UK-focused guidance on EV ownership costs and considerations.
GOV.UK – Vehicle tax rates
Official VED bands referenced in running-cost comparisons.
MoneyHelper – How to find the right way to buy a car
General guidance on budgeting and car finance options in the UK.
MoneyHelper – Work out your budget
Household budgeting principles used alongside affordability rules of thumb.

Compliance notes

Car Affordability UK is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). We do not provide regulated financial advice, credit broking or lending.
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