Want to know how much it costs to charge an EV? Instantly calculate the cost to charge your electric vehicle below using our EV charging cost calculator:
EV Charging Cost Calculator (GBP)
Method 1: Direct kWh Input
Method 2: Battery Capacity
New features, November 2025
- 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
EV charging calculator. Are costs going up?
Electricity is getting more expensive in 2025-26 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: