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Charging an EV at home costs your battery size in kilowatt hours multiplied by your electricity rate, and it is usually far cheaper than public charging. On a standard tariff of roughly 25 to 28p per kWh, a full charge of a 60kWh battery from around 10 to 100 percent costs approximately £15 to £17. On a dedicated EV off-peak tariff at around 7 to 10p per kWh, the same charge costs roughly £4 to £5. These are approximate figures, so always check your current rates. To cut costs further, our cheapest time to charge your EV guide explains how off-peak windows work.
At a glance: home charging cost estimates
| Scenario | Rate (approx) | 60kWh battery, ~10 to 100% | Per kWh added |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard tariff | Around 25 to 28p/kWh | Roughly £15 to £17 | Around 25 to 28p |
| EV off-peak tariff | Around 7 to 10p/kWh | Roughly £4 to £5 | Around 7 to 10p |
| Public rapid charging | Often around 45 to 80p/kWh | Much dearer, varies | Around 45 to 80p |
How do I work out my charging cost?
Multiply the kWh you add by your price per kWh. If you add 50kWh and pay 25p, that is 50 times 0.25, or roughly £12.50. To fill from near empty, use your battery's usable capacity. For a 60kWh battery charged from about 10 to 100 percent you add roughly 54kWh, which at 25p is around £13.50 and at 8p is around £4.30. These figures are approximate, so check your latest tariff and remember charging losses add a small amount.
Why is an off-peak tariff so much cheaper?
EV off-peak tariffs offer a low overnight rate, often around 7 to 10p per kWh, because demand on the grid is lower at night. Standard tariffs sit closer to 25 to 28p per kWh all day. That gap means an overnight charge can cost roughly a third of a daytime one. To benefit you schedule charging during the cheap window, either through your car, your wallbox app, or the tariff provider. Always confirm current rates and window times, as these change.
Does the cable or charger speed change the cost?
No, the speed changes how quickly you charge, not what you pay per unit. You are billed for the kilowatt hours delivered into the battery, so a 7.4kW charge and a slower 2.3kW granny charge cost the same for the same energy added, at the same rate. The only cost difference from speed is indirect: faster charging makes it easier to fit a full session inside a cheap off-peak window, which can save money.
What affects my real world cost?
Several factors move the number, so treat quotes as guidance.
- Your tariff: standard versus off-peak makes the biggest difference
- Battery size: a larger battery costs more to fill but usually goes further
- How full you charge: topping up little and often changes the per session cost
- Charging losses: a small amount of energy is lost as heat during charging
- Weather: cold weather can reduce efficiency and range
To charge at home you need the right lead, so see our Type 2 charging cables page for wallbox leads.
Is home charging always cheaper than public?
Almost always, yes. Home charging on a standard tariff at around 25 to 28p per kWh already beats public rapid charging, which often runs around 45 to 80p per kWh. On an off-peak home tariff at 7 to 10p per kWh, the saving is dramatic. Public rapid charging is best kept for longer trips when you need speed, while routine charging at home keeps running costs low. Always check current public prices, as they vary widely by network.
Quick tool: work out what a charge costs at home with our free EV charging cost calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to fully charge an EV at home?
It depends on battery size and tariff. A 60kWh battery from around 10 to 100 percent costs roughly £15 to £17 on a standard tariff of 25 to 28p per kWh, or roughly £4 to £5 on an off-peak tariff of 7 to 10p per kWh. These are approximate figures, so check your current rates and battery capacity.
Is it cheaper to charge at night?
Usually yes, if you are on an EV off-peak tariff. Overnight rates of around 7 to 10p per kWh are far lower than standard rates near 25 to 28p per kWh. You schedule charging during the cheap window through your car or wallbox. Without a special tariff, night charging costs the same as day charging.
Does a faster charger cost more per charge?
No, you pay for the energy added, not the speed. A 7.4kW charge and a slower granny charge cost the same for the same kilowatt hours at the same rate. Faster charging only helps indirectly, by making it easier to complete a session within a cheap off-peak window.
How do I calculate cost per kWh charged?
Multiply the kWh added by your price per kWh. Adding 40kWh at 8p costs 40 times 0.08, or around £3.20. To estimate a full charge, use your battery's usable capacity. Remember a small amount of energy is lost as heat during charging, so real cost is slightly above the simple sum.
Do I need a special meter for cheap EV charging?
Most EV off-peak tariffs work with a smart meter, which lets the supplier apply time of use rates. Requirements vary by provider, so check what your tariff needs. Once set up, you schedule charging in the cheap window through your car, wallbox app, or the supplier's system to get the low overnight rate.
Why does my cost differ from the estimate?
Estimates assume a set rate and battery size. Your real cost varies with your actual tariff, how full you charge, charging losses, and weather, which can reduce efficiency in the cold. Prices also change over time. Treat any quoted figure as a guide and check your latest rate and consumption for an accurate number.
To summarise: home charging cost is battery kWh times your rate, roughly £15 to £17 for a 60kWh battery on a standard tariff or £4 to £5 on off-peak, and these figures are approximate so check current rates. To time your charging for the cheapest window, read our cheapest time to charge your EV guide, and to see how it stacks up against a petrol car read our EV charging cost vs petrol comparison.
Written by
Niko MoustoukasFounder · drives a Volkswagen ID.4 & ID.5
Niko founded EV Charge Cables after going through the same faff most new EV owners hit: working out which cable actually fits which car, at what speed, and in what length, without being upsold a heavier lead than the car can ever use.
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