Calculate the annual cost of charging your electric vehicle at home and on public chargers. See cost per mile, full charge cost and annual total based on your mileage and charging mix.
Last updated: April 2026
Your EV details
Find in your vehicle manual or manufacturer spec. Usable capacity is typically 90–95% of total.
The cost of charging an electric vehicle depends on the rate you pay per kWh and the efficiency of your vehicle. At home on a standard tariff (around 24.5p/kWh), a typical EV costs 5–8p per mile to charge. On a public rapid charger (60–80p/kWh), the cost rises to 15–25p per mile - approaching or exceeding petrol costs. The more you charge at home, the lower your average cost per mile.
Smart tariffs for EV drivers
Several energy suppliers offer smart EV tariffs with cheaper overnight electricity rates - typically 7–15p/kWh between midnight and 6am - in exchange for shifting charging to off-peak times. Octopus Go, OVO Drive Anytime, and similar tariffs can halve or more the cost of home charging, reducing the per-mile cost to 2–4p. A smart charger (£800–£1,200 installed, reduced by the OZEV £350 grant) is required to automate overnight charging and is almost essential for maximising the economic case for EV ownership.
Public charging network coverage
The UK public charging network has expanded rapidly - over 60,000 public charge points by early 2025. However, coverage remains uneven, with significantly better provision in urban areas and along major motorway routes than in rural areas. The reliability and pricing of public chargers varies considerably by network. Apps like Zap-Map, PlugShare, and Bonnet (which aggregates multiple networks) help find available chargers and compare prices. Always check the current pricing before connecting - rates are not always clearly displayed.
Frequently asked questions
Charging time depends on the charger speed and your battery size. A 7kW home wallbox takes 8–9 hours for a full 60kWh charge (ideal for overnight). A 50kW public rapid charger takes around 45–60 minutes for 80% charge on the same battery. A 150kW ultra-rapid charger can achieve 80% in 20–30 minutes. Most EV drivers charge primarily overnight at home, using public rapid chargers only for longer journeys. EV manufacturers generally recommend charging to 80% for daily use to preserve battery longevity, reserving 100% charges for long trips.
Yes. Cold temperatures reduce battery capacity and increase energy consumption for cabin heating, typically reducing real-world range by 20–40% in winter compared to summer. This is more pronounced for older battery chemistries and less of an issue in well-insulated EVs with heat pump systems. Pre-conditioning the cabin while plugged in (warming or cooling the car before departure) reduces the impact on range by using grid power for temperature control rather than battery power.
Motorway rapid and ultra-rapid chargers are the most expensive public charging option in the UK, typically 70–85p/kWh at networks like Gridserve, BP Pulse, and Pod Point. For a 60kWh battery, a full charge at a motorway services could cost £42–£51. This is still cheaper than petrol for the equivalent range but eliminates much of the running cost advantage of EVs compared to home charging. For long motorway journeys, budgeting for public charging costs provides a more accurate picture of real journey costs.