Home EV charging costs a fraction of petrol or diesel, with a full charge averaging £12–£18 depending on your tariff
Charging an electric vehicle at home is significantly cheaper than filling a petrol or diesel car. The exact cost depends on your electricity tariff and how much you drive.
A typical 60 kWh battery charged at the UK average electricity rate of 24.5p/kWh costs £14.70, compared to £70 or more for a full tank of petrol (Ofgem, 2026; RAC Fuel Watch, 2026). The key variable is your electricity tariff. Standard rates versus off-peak Economy 7 or time-of-use tariffs can halve the cost.
The per-mile cost of home EV charging is roughly 4p–6p. That makes it the cheapest refuelling option
A typical EV uses between 3.5 and 4.5 miles per kWh of electricity. At the UK average rate of 24.5p/kWh, that works out at 5.4p to 7p per mile (Energy Saving Trust, 2026).
If you charge during off-peak hours on a tariff like Octopus Go at 7.5p/kWh, the cost drops to between 1.7p and 2.1p per mile (Ofgem tariff comparison data, 2026). By comparison, petrol costs 14p to 16p per mile, based on 45 miles per gallon and £1.45 per litre (RAC Fuel Watch, 2026).
The cost of a home charger installation ranges from £800 to £1,500, with grants reducing it
A standard 7 kW wallbox, either tethered or untethered, costs between £800 and £1,200. Installation labour adds £200 to £300 (Energy Saving Trust, 2026).
The OZEV Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) grant closed to new applications from April 2022 and is no longer available for most homeowners. The only current grant is the £350 EV chargepoint grant for people living in flats or rented properties (GOV.UK, 2026). For owner-occupied homes with off-street parking, you pay the full price. Installation costs are not covered by any universal grant.
Quick numbers home EV charging costs in a table
| Tariff type | Cost per kWh | Cost per full charge (60 kWh) | Cost per mile | Annual cost (10,000 miles) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard rate | 24.5p | £14.70 | 5.4p–7p | £540–£700 |
| Off-peak rate (e.g., Octopus Go) | 7.5p | £4.50 | 1.7p–2.1p | £170–£210 |
| Economy 7 night rate | 12p | £7.20 | 2.7p–3.4p | £270–£340 |
| Petrol equivalent | N/A | £70+ | 14p–16p | £1,400–£1,600 |
Sources: Ofgem price cap, 2026; Octopus Energy tariff data, 2026; RAC Fuel Watch, 2026.
The direct answer to “how much does home EV charging cost?” is £12–£18 per full charge on standard rates, or £4.50–£6 on an off-peak tariff
For a 60 kWh battery, charging at standard rates of 20p to 25p per kWh costs £12 to £15. On an off-peak tariff at 7.5p to 10p per kWh, it costs £4.50 to £6 (Energy Saving Trust EV cost calculator, 2026).
A typical driver covering 10,000 miles per year spends £400 to £600 on home charging, compared to £1,400 or more on petrol. The exact cost depends on your battery size, driving efficiency, and tariff.
You must use an OZEV-approved installer and a chargepoint that meets minimum safety standards
To be eligible for any grant, such as the EV chargepoint grant for flats, the installer must be OZEV-approved and registered with a competent person scheme like NICEIC, NAPIT, or ELECSA (GOV.UK, 2026).
The chargepoint must comply with BS EN 61851 and be Mode 3 for safe AC charging. If you are not claiming a grant, you can use any qualified electrician. However, they must register the installation with your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) if the chargepoint is 7 kW or above.
Your home’s electrical capacity may require a fuse upgrade, adding £200–£500 to costs
A 7 kW charger draws about 30 amps. Many homes have a 60 to 80 amp main fuse, which may need upgrading to 100 amps at a cost of £200 to £500 (Energy Saving Trust, 2026).
If your home has an old consumer unit, you may also need a new RCD-protected circuit, costing £100 to £200 extra. You can check your fuse size by looking at the main switch or asking your DNO. A site survey by an electrician will confirm if an upgrade is needed.
Time-of-use tariffs can save you £200–£300 per year compared to standard-rate charging
Off-peak tariffs, such as Octopus Go, EDF GoElectric, or OVO Charge Anytime, offer rates as low as 7.5p per kWh for 4 to 6 hours overnight (Ofgem tariff comparison data, 2026; Energy Saving Trust, 2026).
A driver charging 10,000 miles per year at off-peak rates saves £200 to £300 versus standard-rate charging. You need a smart meter to access these tariffs (GOV.UK smart meter rollout data, 2026).
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