Find out more about public EV charging

We’ll keep your electric vehicle moving as you travel around the UK with our network of charging points—so you can plug in, power up, and go.

What is the cost of charging an electric vehicle at home?

The costs of charging an EV in a private property (e.g., at home) varies, depending on factors such as your energy provider and tariffs, vehicle battery size and capacity, type of home charge in place and so on. The typical household in the UK paying direct debit has unit rates for electricity around 34p per kWh. The average EV battery capacity in the UK is around 40kWh. At average unit rates, charging a vehicle with this battery capacity could cost around £10.88 (based on charging to 80% of battery capacity, which most manufacturers recommend for daily charging to extend the life of a battery).

However, some cars have much bigger battery capacity, and a full charge will, therefore, be more expensive. Fully charging a car with 100kWh capacity, for example, could cost around £27.20 at average unit rates. Tariffs can vary, and some electricity providers might include variable tariffs, such as cheaper charging at less busy times of the day. The figures here are merely an example of potential costs; you should consult your electricity provider to determine prices for you.

Where can you charge an electric vehicle for free?

It may be possible to access EV charging for free at some locations. Some supermarkets, including Sainsbury’s, Aldi and Lidl and shopping centres offer EV charging for free but this may be available to customers only.

Workplaces are increasingly installing charging points that can be used by employees throughout the working day, and depending on your employer, there may or may not be costs associated with these chargers. Presently, there is a UK government grant available called the Workplace Charging Scheme to encourage workplaces – including charities and public sector organisations – to install charging infrastructure to support employees. The funding can be applied for online and is awarded in the form of vouchers.

The cost of charging an EV will vary depending on various factors such as the vehicle battery size, energy provider, tariffs, and location. It is worth exploring the different options available and checking with your energy provider to optimise your EV charging experience.