How much does it cost to charge an EV?
The popularity of electric vehicles shows little sign of waning. Gone are the days of spotting a couple on the road when we’re out and about, as more drivers than ever are considering switching to an electric model. Despite the UK being one of the most expensive places to buy an electric car, the attraction of cheaper running costs and sustainable motoring continues to be their main attraction. But is charging an EV really as economical as we’re led to believe, and how do the costs vary?
To put it bluntly, there are many things to factor in regarding the cost of charging an EV, which makes the electric vs petrol math challenging to calculate. Unfortunately, there isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ answer, but it’s important to know what to consider when charging your car at home and on the road.
How much does it cost to charge an EV at home?
To say energy costs fluctuate is an understatement, and this is important to consider if you have an EV that needs charging. If you’re considering switching from a petrol or diesel car to an EV and want to charge it at home, it’s worth looking into the different energy tariffs. Economy 7, for example, offers a cheaper rate for off-peak hours, and some energy providers offer tariffs tailored to EV owners’ needs to accommodate charging.
You can calculate how much your EV will cost to charge at home if you have the following information:
- Size of the EV’s battery pack because they can vary depending on the model.
- Electricity cost (pence per kWh)
So, you spend 31p per kWh, and you fancy buying a standard Nissan Leaf with a battery capacity of 40kWh; it would cost you £12.40 to charge the car from empty to a full battery at home.
Look at the cost per mile
Along with energy cost, the efficiency of the EV you have your eye on also needs to be considered. As a rule, EVs with high-capacity batteries tend to weigh more than models with smaller ones. This means smaller EVs can usually travel a longer distance on a single kWh unit of electricity. A really efficient EV, for example, might cover six miles for every kWh its battery holds, whereas a less efficient model may only manage three miles with the same power. The more efficient EV will therefore cost much less to run per mile, which is a figure that’s just as relevant as the price of charging it up.
Do you have a wall box at home?
In theory, you can charge your EV at home using a domestic three-pin plug, but you won’t want to! Because their average power is 2-3.5kW, charging up your EV will take hours, which isn’t practical. Installing a home charging wall box will enable you to charge your EV much faster because they’re much more powerful. This can lower the cost even more because it can reduce charging time, so it’s kept within the lower-rate window. Just make sure that you use the correct EV charging cable to make sure you don’t damage the car’s battery or ability to charge up.
How much does it cost to charge an EV at a public charging point?
Working out the cost of charging your EV at a public charging point is a much simpler exercise. Essentially, all you need to know is the battery size of your EV and the price of using the charging point. Much like petrol stations, each network sets its own prices for the electricity they provide, so you should consider which charging point you use if you plan on powering up your EV away from home.
What’s more, you can also find free charging points at some supermarkets and hotels, although these tend to charge slower than the public points you pay for. Even if you shop around, it’s fair to say that ultra-rapid charging stations are the most expensive way to charge your EV, so take this into consideration if you think you’ll be regularly charging your battery on the road.
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