EV Charging Cost Calculator

The real cost to charge your electric car in the UK — at home, off-peak, or at a public charger. Includes charging losses most calculators ignore, and a straight comparison against petrol.

£0

Your Car

Small EV ≈ 4.0 · mid-size ≈ 3.5 · large SUV ≈ 2.8. Drops in winter.
Energy lost as heat during charging. ~10% AC home, less on rapid DC. This is why your bill is higher than battery size alone.
Charge level
Most people top up 20–80% rather than full charges — it's faster and better for battery health.
Rates (p per kWh) — edit to match yours
Petrol comparison

Cost Per Charge

20–80% top-up

Annual Running Cost

UK average ≈ 7,000–8,000 miles/yr
Default rates: Ofgem price cap 24.67p/kWh (Apr–Jun 2026), typical off-peak EV tariff ~8.8p/kWh, Zapmap weighted public averages 54p (standard) and 79p (rapid/ultra) per kWh. Petrol uses the MPG and pump price you enter (UK gallon = 4.546 litres).
How this calculator works & why it's more accurate

Most free calculators multiply battery size by your unit rate and stop there. That understates the bill, because 8–15% of the energy you pay for is lost as heat during charging and never reaches the battery. This tool adds that loss back in, so the cost reflects what actually leaves your meter. It also defaults to a realistic 20–80% top-up rather than a full 0–100% charge, since that's how EVs are used day to day and is gentler on the battery. Adjust any rate, your efficiency, the loss percentage and charge window to match your own setup.

Disclaimer: estimates for guidance only. Real costs vary with your tariff, weather, driving style, battery condition and the chargepoint operator. Confirm your own rates before relying on these figures.

How much does it cost to charge an electric car in the UK?

The cost of charging an electric car depends almost entirely on where and when you charge. Charging at home overnight on a dedicated EV tariff is by far the cheapest option, often costing a fraction of what you'd pay for petrol. Charging on the public rapid network is the most expensive and, for some drivers, can approach the per-mile cost of a petrol car. The calculator above lets you compare all of these scenarios side by side using your own car and tariff.

As a rough guide, charging a typical 60 kWh electric car from 20% to 80% adds around 200 miles of range. At the current home electricity price cap that costs only a few pounds, while the same charge at an ultra-rapid public charger can cost three to four times as much. This is why most EV owners do the majority of their charging at home and use public chargers mainly for longer journeys.

Home charging

Home charging is the cheapest and most convenient option for the majority of drivers. On a standard variable tariff you pay the Ofgem-capped unit rate for every kilowatt-hour, the same as the rest of your household electricity. Switching to a dedicated off-peak EV tariff can cut this dramatically, with some overnight rates around a third of the standard price. If you can charge while you sleep, this is where the biggest savings are.

Public and rapid charging

Public chargers are priced per kWh and vary widely. Slower destination chargers at supermarkets and car parks are cheaper, while motorway rapid and ultra-rapid units cost the most because you're paying for speed and convenience. Pay-as-you-go prices are higher than subscription or membership rates, so frequent users often join a network to bring the cost down.

Why charging losses matter

One detail most calculators ignore is charging loss. Not all the electricity that leaves your meter ends up in the battery — roughly 8–15% is lost as heat during the charging process, with slower home AC charging typically losing more than rapid DC charging. That means a 60 kWh battery actually draws closer to 66–69 kWh from the wall. The calculator above factors this in, so the figures reflect what you'll actually be billed rather than the battery size alone.

How to reduce your EV charging costs

Frequently asked questions

Is it cheaper to charge an EV at home or in public?

Home charging is almost always cheaper, especially on an off-peak EV tariff. Public chargers — particularly motorway rapid and ultra-rapid units — cost significantly more per kWh because you're paying for speed and convenience. Use the calculator above to see the difference for your specific car.

How much does it cost to fully charge an electric car?

It depends on your battery size and unit rate. Multiply the usable battery capacity (in kWh) by your price per kWh, then add around 10% for charging losses. The calculator does this automatically and lets you compare home, off-peak and public rates instantly.

Why is charging more expensive than my battery size suggests?

Because of charging losses. Around 8–15% of the energy you pay for is lost as heat and never reaches the battery, so the electricity drawn from your meter is higher than the battery's stated capacity. This tool includes that loss, which most calculators leave out.

Is charging an electric car still cheaper than petrol?

For home charging, yes — usually by a wide margin, and even more so on an off-peak tariff. Public rapid charging is closer to petrol on a per-mile basis. Enter your petrol car's MPG and the current pump price above to see a direct comparison.

Should I charge to 100% every time?

For everyday use, charging to around 80% is recommended. It charges faster, costs less per charge and is gentler on the battery over its lifetime. Charging to 100% is best saved for long journeys when you need the full range.