Cars & Motoring2 min check

EV Charging Cost Calculator

Estimate your annual electric vehicle charging cost based on mileage, efficiency and where you charge.

Short answer

EV charging cost = miles ÷ efficiency (mi/kWh) × £/kWh. Home charging on a standard tariff (~27p) costs ~7p/mile. EV-specific overnight tariffs (~7p/kWh) drop this to ~2p/mile. Public rapid charging (60–80p/kWh) is closer to 16–20p/mile — similar to petrol.

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How it works

kWh used = miles ÷ efficiency. Multiply by your unit rate. Most modern EVs do 3.5–4.2 mi/kWh; SUVs 2.8–3.2; small EVs 4.5+. Home charging adds ~5–10% loss vs the headline.

Worked example

10,000 miles/year ÷ 3.8 mi/kWh = 2,632 kWh. At 7p (Octopus Go) = £184/year. At 27p (standard) = £710/year. At 70p (rapid) = £1,842/year.

Who should use this

•EV owners optimising tariff choice
•People comparing EV vs petrol running cost
•Anyone considering installing a home charger

Common mistakes

×Using winter range (15–25% lower than summer) as the year-round figure
×Ignoring charger efficiency losses (~5–10%)
×Comparing 'home charge only' against 'rapid only' fairly — most owners do 80% home / 20% public

Frequently asked questions

Should I get a home charger?▾

Yes if you have off-street parking — payback is typically 1–3 years vs public charging, and EV tariffs need a smart charger.

What's the cheapest EV tariff?▾

Octopus Go (~7p, 5h overnight), Intelligent Octopus, OVO Charge Anytime, EDF GoElectric — all ~7-9p off-peak.

How much does it cost to fully charge?▾

60kWh battery × your rate. £4.20 at 7p, £16.20 at 27p, £42 at 70p rapid.

Related calculators

Fuel vs EV →Running Costs →Car Tax →Energy Bill →