How much does it cost to charge an electric car in the UK?
Home charging costs a tenth of public rapid charging. Set your miles and see the gap, using typical UK rates checked July 2026.
Home charging costs a tenth of public rapid charging.
The difference comes down to the unit rate. A dedicated EV tariff such as Intelligent Octopus Go charges about 8p per kWh overnight, because your car charges when national demand is lowest. A public rapid charger averages 76p per kWh. Same electricity, nearly ten times the price.
For a typical car doing 8,000 miles a year, that gap is about £183 at home on an EV tariff against £1,737 on public rapid charging. Even against petrol at around 19p a mile, home charging keeps more than £1,300 a year in your pocket. A home charger pays for itself in the first year for most drivers.
The tariffs behind the numbers.
Every major UK supplier now runs a dedicated EV tariff with overnight rates between 6.5p and 14p per kWh, against the 26.11p standard variable rate. The table shows the main options and whether they smart schedule your charging or just run on a timer.
| Tariff | Supplier | Off peak rate Off peak rate The cheap overnight electricity price you pay while charging in the tariff window. Daytime use stays close to the standard rate. | Off peak window Off peak window The hours when the cheap rate applies. Charging scheduled inside this window gets the low price. | Smart dispatch Smart dispatch Smart dispatch tariffs schedule the charging for you automatically. Timer based tariffs need your charger or car set to start inside the window. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligent Octopus Go | Octopus | ~8p/kWh | 23:30 to 05:30 plus extra slots | Yes, automated |
| Octopus Go | Octopus | ~9.5p/kWh | 00:30 to 05:30 | Timer based |
| EDF GoElectric | EDF | 6.99p/kWh | 23:00 to 06:00 | Timer based |
| E.ON Next Drive Smart | E.ON | ~8p/kWh | 00:00 to 06:00 | Yes, smart dispatch |
| British Gas EV Power+ | British Gas | ~7.9p/kWh | 00:00 to 05:00 | Via Hive app |
| OVO Charge Anytime | OVO | 14p/kWh | Any time, smart scheduled | Yes |
| ScottishPower EV Saver | ScottishPower | ~7.2p/kWh | 00:00 to 05:00 | Timer based |
| SO Energy EV | SO Energy | ~6.5p/kWh | 00:00 to 05:00 | Timer based |
Rates are typical figures checked July 2026 and move with the market, so always confirm with the supplier before switching. Smart dispatch tariffs need a compatible car or charger; timer based tariffs work with any charger. We install tariff ready chargers and confirm compatibility as part of every home survey.
What does a home charger cost to install?
A standard 7kW home charger costs £962 to £1,250 fully installed, and a straightforward install taking a spare way on the existing board sits at the lower end. That covers the charger itself, an OZEV approved installation, and the electrical work for a typical driveway run. Longer cable routes, older consumer units or three phase supplies move the price, which is why a fixed online figure is only ever a guide.
Tell us about your property, parking and cable route and we price the job properly, charger included. You get a fixed, itemised quote by email, not an estimate that moves on the day.
Your charging cost questions, answered. The questions UK drivers ask about home charging costs, tariffs and installation.
How much does charging at home cost?
On a dedicated EV tariff, about 8p per kWh overnight, which works out near 2.3p a mile for a typical car. On a standard tariff it is roughly three times that. The tariff you pick matters more than the charger.
How much does EV charger installation cost?
A standard 7kW home installation costs £962 to £1,250 including the charger. Cable route length, consumer unit condition and wall type set where you land in that range.
Do you need a smart meter for an EV tariff?
Yes, every dedicated EV tariff needs a SMETS2 smart meter so the supplier can bill your overnight window separately. Most suppliers fit one free when you switch.
Which EV chargers work with OVO Charge Anytime?
OVO smart schedules through a compatible charger or car. We keep a current compatibility list and install chargers that work with the major smart tariffs out of the box.
Every answer written and reviewed by the team that handles your install. Updated as regulations, pricing and tariffs change.
View all home charging FAQs Cheaper miles are one
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