Electric car charging costs

author: FutureCar Staff    

The upcoming ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in 2030 has sparked interest in electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). If you're considering making the switch, it's important to understand the cost of charging an EV in the UK and the potential savings compared to traditional cars.

The cost of charging an electric car can vary depending on your energy provider, tariff, charger speed, and battery size. One option is to charge your EV at home using a conventional three-pin plug, although this method is not recommended for regular use due to the low power output. It's best suited for emergency charging or cars with smaller batteries.

Charging an EV at home with a three-pin plug can cost around £12 and take 16-17 hours to fully charge a Nissan Leaf with a 40kWh battery. This translates to roughly 7p per mile. However, signing up for an EV-specific energy tariff with off-peak overnight rates can reduce the cost by a third, bringing it down to less than £4 for a full battery or 2.3p per mile. It's important to note that these discounted rates are typically available for a limited time window, so charging outside of those hours may result in higher costs.

A faster option for home charging is a wallbox charger, which offers speeds of around 7kW and can fully charge an EV with a modest battery in 6-7 hours. The cost to charge remains the same, so you could still charge a Nissan Leaf for less than £4 with the most affordable energy tariffs.

Previously, the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) provided a government grant for up to 75% of the cost of a wallbox installation, but this scheme ended in April 2022. However, those living in rental properties or flats may still be eligible for funding, although there may be additional requirements such as dedicated parking and landlord agreement. It's also important to check the compatibility of your home's circuitry and your EV's capabilities before opting for higher-speed chargers.

When it comes to public charging, the cost depends on the network. While free-to-use chargers are becoming less common, some supermarkets, hotels, and public venues still offer this perk. However, these chargers are often in high demand. Paid chargers have varying prices, but regulations now require chargers with speeds of 8kW or more to offer contactless payment options. Some charge point operators include BP Pulse, Gridserve, InstaVolt, Shell Recharge, and Tesla's Supercharger network.

BP Pulse, for example, offers different payment options and prices depending on the charger type. Subscribers to their service pay a monthly fee of £7.85, which includes a discount on the cost per kWh. The faster the charging speed, the higher the cost per kWh. Fast points (7-22kW) cost 44p/kWh, rapid points (43-50kW) cost 63p/kWh, and ultra-rapid points (150 kW+) cost 69p/kWh. There are also pay-as-you-go options available through the BP Pulse smartphone app.

FutureCar Staff