How much does it cost to charge an electric car?

Charging is usually much cheaper than filling a traditional car with petrol or diesel. The exact cost depends on where you charge it:

• Charging at home is usually cheapest, based on your electricity tariff
• Charging at work is up to your employer; many are starting to offer it free
• Public charging points vary in cost based on the provider
• Rapid charging stations are typically the fastest, but most expensive method

To get up to date guidance on home charge point options and prices along with EV energy tariff guidance visit Rightcharge

Charging electric vehicles at home

The cost of charging an EV at home comes down to how much you pay for electricity. The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) can help you compare your tariff to the national average.

If you want to install a charging station in your home, you could qualify for a grant from the Office of Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV).

Charging electric cars at work

Speak to your employer about the cost of charging your EV at work. Some workplaces offer free charging as a perk. Others charge either a full or subsidised rate.

Busier workplaces might provide free charging up to a certain time, then start charging to encourage the sharing of charging points.
If your workplace doesn’t have a charging station, it could qualify for help under the Workplace Charging Scheme.

Using public car charging stations

The cost of charging your EV in public is decided by the company providing the charging station. Some offer free use, but this is becoming rarer. You can find your nearest public charging point using Google Maps - just search "EV charging points near me".

You may need to register with a provider, either via an app or by ordering a charging card, before you can use a public charging point.

Pay attention to how public charging points price themselves. Some cost per kilowatt-hour of electricity, others cost per minute of use. It’s very likely that public charging points will be more expensive than charging at home.

How much do rapid charging stations cost?

Specialist rapid charging points, found at motorway service stations, are usually the most expensive way to charge your EV. But they make up for this by being the fastest. The exact cost is set by the company providing the rapid charger.

You may need to make use of these chargers as part of longer journeys. Taking time to plan your route in advance can cut down on unnecessary costs.