OK so there are two things to know about EV charging costs. The first is the price per kWh you pay. The second is how many kWh you add to your battery. Multiply these together and you have your total charging cost. For instance, pay 20 pence per kWh and add 50 kWh, and you’re paying £10.00. Easy stuff, but if you want to instantly calculate the cost to charge your electric vehicle, you can do so below using our EV charging cost calculator:
EV Charging Cost Calculator (GBP)
Method 1: Direct kWh Input
Method 2: Battery Capacity
“When I charge my car, I pay attention to two numbers on my electricity bill and my car’s dashboard. My energy supplier charges me 24p for every kWh I use, and my car tells me how many kWh went into the battery during that charging session. If I added 40kWh overnight, that’s £9.60. Simple multiplication. The tricky bit is remembering that your meter records slightly more than what reaches your battery, about 10% extra gets lost as heat during charging. That’s why your bill sometimes looks higher than expected, even when your calculations seem spot on.” – Jakk Ogden, editor at Top Charger.
I added a few new features to the calculator to make your EV charging costs easier to understand:
- Efficiency loss toggle – See the electricity drawn from your meter, not just what reaches your battery (typically 10% higher)
- Smart validation – Prevents calculation errors when percentages are entered incorrectly
- UK rate presets – Updated default values reflecting current price cap (26.35p/kWh standard rate)
- Clearer cost display – Larger, bolder figures so you can see your charging cost at a glance
- Helper text – Quick reference for typical off-peak rates (7p/kWh) to compare your tariff
- Better mobile layout – Side-by-side percentage inputs save screen space on phones
- Error messages – Instant feedback when something doesn’t add up, rather than showing nonsense results
“Before switching to electric, I was spending £180 monthly on petrol for my daily commute. Now I charge overnight at 7p per kWh and pay £18 for the same mileage. That’s £162 saved every month, nearly £2,000 annually. The savings alone covered my higher monthly car payment within the first year of ownership.” – James Lewis, writer at Top Charger.
Reader insights
“Switched to Octopus Intelligent Go and my charging costs dropped from £65 to £22 per month. The off-peak rate makes such a difference when you’re doing 12,000 miles a year.” – Sarah, MG4, 7p/kWh off-peak
“I was skeptical about EVs being cheaper, but the numbers don’t lie. My old diesel cost £140 monthly in fuel. Now I’m paying £28 charging at home on a standard tariff.” – James, Kia Niro EV, 26.35p/kWh
“The key is never using motorway rapids unless absolutely necessary. Home charging at 6.5p versus 79p at services—it’s a no-brainer for daily driving.” – Priya, Volkswagen ID.3, 6.5p/kWh off-peak
“I charge twice weekly, costs me about £8 each time. That’s £64 monthly compared to the £165 I was spending on petrol for my old Focus.” – Tom, Nissan Leaf, 26.35p/kWh
“British Gas Electric Driver tariff cut my charging bills in half. Scheduling charges between midnight and 5am saves me over £600 annually.” – Emma, Hyundai Ioniq 5, 9p/kWh off-peak
“Even on the standard rate, I’m saving £95 per month versus my previous petrol SUV. If I’d known the savings were this good, I’d have switched years ago.” – Marcus, Tesla Model Y, 26.35p/kWh
“My workplace has free 7kW chargers. Between that and weekend home charging at 7p, my monthly costs are under £15 for 1,000 miles.” – Lisa, Peugeot e-208, 7p/kWh off-peak
“Rural living means no cheap EV tariffs available yet, but even at standard rates I’m spending £72 monthly versus £155 for diesel. Still a massive win.” – David, Ford Mustang Mach-E, 26.35p/kWh
EV charging calculator. Are costs going up?
Electricity is getting more expensive in but there are deals to be had.
In any case, calculating how much it costs to charge your electric vehicle doesn’t need to be complicated. Whether you’re charging at home overnight or topping up at a public station during your weekly shop, knowing your costs helps you budget effectively and make smarter decisions about when and where to plug in.
How we measure charging costs
The fundamental measurement for EV charging is the kilowatt-hour, or kWh. Think of it like petrol sold by the litre. Your electricity supplier charges you per kWh consumed, and your vehicle’s battery capacity is measured in kWh. A typical family hatchback might have a 40kWh battery, whilst larger SUVs can exceed 100kWh.
To work out your charging cost, you need two figures: your electricity rate and the amount of energy you’re adding to your battery. Our EV charging cost calculator multiplies these together to give you an instant result. If you’re paying 24p per kWh and adding 50kWh to your battery, that’s £12 for that charging session.
Using an EV charge calculator effectively
The EV charge calculator on this page offers two approaches. If you know exactly how many kWh you need, enter that directly. Alternatively, use your battery capacity with start and end percentages. Going from 20% to 80% on a 75kWh battery means adding 45kWh, which the EV charging calculator works out automatically.
Most drivers find the percentage method more intuitive because it matches what they see on their dashboard. You rarely think “I need 35kWh,” but you do think “I want to charge from 30% to full.”
Why rates vary across the UK
Your costs depend heavily on your tariff. Standard domestic rates in early 2025 sit around 24.86p per kWh under the energy price cap, but dedicated EV tariffs can drop to 7p per kWh during off-peak hours. That’s why the EV charging cost calculator UK gov price cap figures only tell part of the story. Smart EV owners switch to time-of-use tariffs and schedule charging overnight.
Public charging networks price differently too. Slow 7kW chargers at supermarkets might cost 40p per kWh, whilst motorway rapid chargers can exceed 80p per kWh. Use the calculate EV charging cost function before setting off on longer journeys so you’re not caught off guard by premium rapid charging rates.
Getting accurate results
When you charge cost calculator results seem lower than your bills, remember that charging isn’t 100% efficient. About 10% to 15% of the electricity drawn from the wall never makes it into your battery due to heat losses and conversion inefficiencies. Our EV charger calculator uses the electricity added to your battery, but your meter measures what’s drawn from the grid.
Temperature affects charging efficiency too. Cold weather reduces battery performance, meaning you might need more kWh to achieve the same range. The EV charging calculator cost figure you see here assumes normal conditions, so winter charging will cost slightly more in practice.
Making your EV calculator work for you
Regular use of an EV charge cost calculator helps you spot patterns in your charging behaviour. You might discover that your Tuesday evening charges cost significantly more than weekend overnight sessions, prompting a schedule adjustment that saves hundreds annually.
The EV calculator becomes particularly valuable when comparing different charging locations. That convenient rapid charger near work might seem handy, but when you run the numbers, overnight home charging at off-peak rates costs a fraction of the price for the same energy.
How to Use Our EV Charging Cost Calculator
Our calculator offers two simple methods to calculate your charging costs:
- Direct kWh Input: If you know exactly how many kilowatt-hours you need to add to your battery, simply enter this number along with your electricity rate. This method is perfect for those who monitor their charging sessions or want to calculate costs for specific journey requirements.
- Battery Capacity Method: For those who prefer to work with percentages, enter your vehicle’s total battery capacity and desired charging range (from x% to y%). This is particularly useful when planning regular charging routines or calculating costs from a specific battery level to full charge.
EV charging calculator: Additional advice
Calculating your electric vehicle (EV) charging costs is essential for managing your running expenses and understanding the true cost of EV ownership. Our EV charging calculator helps you determine exactly how much each charge will cost, whether you’re charging at home or using public charging stations.
Why Use an EV Charging Calculator?
Electric vehicle running costs are significantly different from traditional petrol or diesel vehicles. Instead of paying per litre at the pump, EV owners need to understand their electricity rates and charging patterns. An EV charging calculator takes the guesswork out of these calculations, helping you:
- Plan your monthly energy budget
- Compare home charging costs with public charging stations
- Understand the cost benefits of off-peak charging
- Calculate costs for partial and full charges
- Make informed decisions about your charging habits
Understanding Your Electricity Rates
Before using the calculator, it’s important to know your electricity rate. In the UK, electricity rates vary significantly depending on:
- Your energy provider
- Your tariff type (standard or EV-specific)
- Time of day (peak vs off-peak)
- Your location
Many energy providers now offer special EV tariffs with lower rates during off-peak hours, typically overnight. These can significantly reduce your charging costs.
Maximising Value from Your EV Charging
To get the most cost-effective charging for your electric vehicle:
- Use Off-Peak Rates: Schedule your charging during off-peak hours when electricity rates are lowest
- Monitor Your Usage: Keep track of how much electricity you’re using for charging
- Regular Calculations: Use the calculator to monitor costs across different charging locations
- Compare Providers: Use the calculator to compare costs between different energy tariffs
Additional Charging Cost Considerations
While our EV charging calculator provides accurate basic calculations, several factors can affect your actual charging costs:
- Charging efficiency losses (typically 10-15%)
- Temperature effects on battery performance
- Charging speed (rapid charging may cost more)
- Standing charges from your energy provider
- Public charging network membership fees
Why Choose Electric Vehicle Charging
Despite the initial complexity of understanding charging costs, EVs typically offer significant savings compared to conventional vehicles. Regular use of an EV charging calculator helps you:
- Demonstrate the long-term cost benefits of EV ownership
- Make informed decisions about when and where to charge
- Understand your vehicle’s energy consumption patterns
- Plan your charging strategy around the most cost-effective times
By using our EV charging calculator regularly, you can take control of your charging costs and maximise the financial benefits of electric vehicle ownership. Whether you’re a new EV owner or considering the switch to electric, understanding your potential charging costs is a crucial step in the EV journey.
Energy Price Cap and EV Charging Costs
The electricity price cap has been set at £1,738 per year for a typical household’s energy consumption from January to March 2025, which affects how much you’ll pay for charging your electric vehicle at home.
Under this cap, you’ll pay 24.86 pence per kWh for electricity with a daily standing charge of 60.97 pence when charging your EV at home through a standard variable tariff. This represents a modest 1.2% increase from the previous quarter’s cap of £1,717.
These rates include VAT and are based on average prices for England, Scotland, and Wales for customers paying by Direct Debit. The slight increase in the price cap is primarily driven by rising wholesale energy costs, which have increased by £19 from the previous quarter, showing how global energy market fluctuations continue to impact home EV charging costs.
Further information:
- Ofgem: Energy price cap | Ofgem
- Charging in public: Zapmap Price Index
- Electric vehicles: costs, charging and infrastructure (Gov)
- EV Charging Prices | KWH Costs | GRIDSERVE
- Pricing | bp pulse UK (useful if you’re charging out in public!)
EV Charging Cost Calculator: Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to charge an EV at home per month?
For a typical UK driver covering 800 miles per month in an EV averaging 3.5 miles per kWh, you’ll use approximately 230 kWh. At the current price cap rate of 24.86p per kWh, that’s £57 per month. Switch to an off-peak EV tariff at 7p per kWh and the same charging costs just £16 per month—saving you £492 annually.
Is charging an EV cheaper than petrol?
Yes, substantially cheaper. Covering 800 miles per month in a petrol car averaging 40mpg costs approximately £145 at current fuel prices (£1.45/litre). The same distance in an EV costs £57 on standard rates or £16 on off-peak tariffs. That’s an annual saving of £1,056 on standard rates, or £1,548 on off-peak EV tariffs compared to petrol.
What’s the cheapest time to charge my EV?
Overnight between 12:30am and 5:30am on dedicated EV tariffs offers the lowest rates. Octopus Intelligent Go provides 7p per kWh during off-peak hours (11:30pm-5:30am), compared to 24.86p per kWh on standard tariffs. OVO Charge Anytime and British Gas Electric Driver also offer competitive off-peak rates. Always schedule charging during these hours to maximize savings.
How much does it cost to fully charge an EV?
A typical 64kWh battery (like the Kia EV6 or Hyundai Ioniq 5) costs £15.91 to fully charge at 24.86p per kWh standard rate, or £4.48 at 7p per kWh off-peak. Smaller 40kWh batteries (Nissan Leaf) cost £9.94 standard or £2.80 off-peak. Larger 77kWh batteries (Tesla Model Y Long Range) cost £19.14 standard or £5.39 off-peak.
How much does rapid charging cost on motorways?
Motorway rapid chargers typically cost 70-85p per kWh. Adding 50kWh (roughly 150-175 miles of range) costs £35-£42.50. Compare this to £3.50 at home on an off-peak tariff for the same energy—that’s 10-12 times more expensive. Use rapid charging only when necessary for long journeys, and charge at home whenever possible.
How accurate is this EV charging cost calculator?
Our calculator accounts for the 10% charging efficiency loss that occurs during real-world charging—something many calculators ignore. When you enable the “Include charging efficiency loss” toggle, the calculator shows both the energy added to your battery and the actual electricity drawn from your meter. This matches what you’ll see on your electricity bill, making it one of the most accurate UK EV charging calculators available.
Can I use this calculator for public charging?
Yes. Simply enter the public charging network’s price per kWh. For example, Pod Point slow chargers often cost 40p per kWh, BP Pulse rapid chargers around 69p per kWh, and Ionity ultra-rapid chargers approximately 74p per kWh. The calculator works for any charging location—just update the price per kWh field to match the charger you’re using.
What’s the difference between the two calculator methods?
Method 1 (Direct kWh Input) is best when you know exactly how much energy you need—for example, if your car’s display shows you used 35kWh on a journey. Method 2 (Battery Capacity) is more intuitive for everyday use: enter your battery size and charge from 20% to 80%, and the calculator works out the kWh automatically. Both methods give identical cost results.
Do EV charging costs include standing charges?
No, this calculator shows only the electricity cost for charging. Your electricity bill also includes a daily standing charge (currently 60.97p per day under the price cap, or £222.54 annually). Standing charges apply whether you charge your EV or not, as they cover the cost of maintaining your connection to the grid.
How much does it cost to charge a Tesla Model 3?
The Tesla Model 3 Standard Range has a 60kWh battery. Charging from 10% to 90% adds 48kWh. At 24.86p per kWh (standard rate), that’s £11.93. At 7p per kWh (off-peak), it’s £3.36. With the 10% efficiency loss included, you’ll draw 52.8kWh from the grid, costing £13.13 standard or £3.70 off-peak. For 10,000 miles per year at 4 miles per kWh, annual charging costs are £622 standard or £175 off-peak.