Home EV charging cost calculator UK
Calculate exactly what it costs to charge your electric car at home — based on your actual electricity rate, your car’s battery size, and how often you charge. See how much you could save by switching to a smart EV tariff.
How much does it cost to charge an electric car at home in the UK?
The average cost to charge an EV at home in the UK depends on your electricity rate and your car’s battery size. On the standard Ofgem price cap rate of around 24.5p/kWh, charging a typical 60 kWh EV from 20% to 80% costs approximately £8.82. Do this three times a week and your annual home charging bill is around £1,375.
UK electricity rates for EV charging — 2026
| Tariff | Rate | Annual cost (60 kWh, 3x/week) | Annual saving vs standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard variable (Ofgem cap) | ~24.5p/kWh | ~£1,375 | — |
| Octopus Go (off-peak) | 7.5p/kWh | ~£421 | ~£954 |
| Octopus Intelligent (auto) | ~7p/kWh | ~£393 | ~£982 ⚡ Best |
| British Gas EV (off-peak) | ~9p/kWh | ~£505 | ~£870 |
| E.ON Next Drive (off-peak) | ~9p/kWh | ~£505 | ~£870 |
Smart EV tariffs — are they worth it?
Smart EV tariffs offer significantly cheaper electricity during off-peak hours — typically between 11pm and 5am — in exchange for allowing your energy supplier to schedule your car’s charging automatically. On Octopus Intelligent, your car is plugged in and Octopus charges it whenever the grid rate is cheapest, often as low as 7p/kWh.
For most EV drivers who charge overnight at home, a smart tariff is the single biggest way to reduce running costs. The saving of £800–£1,000 per year compared to standard rates is roughly equivalent to driving 8,000–10,000 miles for free.
How does home charging compare to public charging?
Public rapid chargers typically cost between 50p and 85p/kWh — three to ten times more expensive than home charging on a smart tariff. A 60 kWh charge at a public rapid charger at 75p/kWh costs £45, versus under £5 at home on Octopus Intelligent. Home charging should be your primary charging method wherever possible.
Does a home wallbox make financial sense?
A 7 kW smart home wallbox costs around £800–£1,000 fitted, after the OZEV grant. Most EV drivers recoup this cost within 12–18 months through lower charging costs compared to public chargers, plus the convenience of always starting each day with a full battery. A smart wallbox is also required to access the best smart EV tariff rates from suppliers like Octopus.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to fully charge an electric car at home?
At the standard UK rate of 24.5p/kWh, a full charge from flat costs around £9.80 for a 40 kWh battery (Nissan Leaf), £14.10 for a 57.5 kWh battery (Tesla Model 3 SR), and £20.10 for an 82 kWh battery (Tesla Model Y LR). On an Octopus Intelligent tariff at 7p/kWh those costs drop to £2.80, £4.03, and £5.74 respectively.
What is the cheapest time to charge an electric car at home?
On most smart EV tariffs, the cheapest charging window is between 11pm and 5am. On Octopus Intelligent, the system automatically finds the cheapest slots within your overnight window — you just plug in when you get home and Octopus handles the scheduling. Set your car’s charge limit to 80% and let it run overnight.
Is Octopus Intelligent worth it for EV drivers?
For most home-charging EV drivers, yes. The off-peak rate of around 7p/kWh is less than a third of the standard rate, and the automatic scheduling means you don’t need to manually set charge timers. The main requirement is a compatible smart charger — most 7 kW home wallboxes sold in the UK since 2022 are compatible.
How much does it cost to charge an EV per mile?
At 24.5p/kWh on a standard tariff, most EVs cost around 4–6p per mile to run. At 7p/kWh on a smart tariff, this drops to 1.2–1.8p per mile — compared to approximately 14–18p per mile for a petrol car at current fuel prices. Use our EV vs petrol cost comparison to see your specific figures.
Does charging an EV increase your electricity bill significantly?
On a standard tariff, yes — charging a typical EV three times a week adds around £100–£120 per month to your electricity bill. However on a smart EV tariff this drops to £30–£40 per month, which is far less than the equivalent petrol cost for the same mileage. Most EV drivers on smart tariffs see their total energy bill increase by only a modest amount despite driving “for free” compared to petrol.
Can I use my existing electricity tariff to charge my EV?
Yes — any standard home electricity supply will charge your EV. However you’ll pay the standard unit rate (currently around 24.5p/kWh) for all electricity including EV charging. Switching to a dedicated EV tariff with cheaper overnight rates can save £800–£1,000 per year for a typical driver.