EV Charging Cost Calculator

Almost always. Charging at home on a smart off-peak EV tariff (around 7–9p per kWh overnight) is by far the cheapest way to run an electric car — typically 2–3p per mile, or around a sixth of the cost of petrol. Even on a standard variable tariff (around 26p/kWh), home charging works out at roughly 7p per mile — still less than half the cost of petrol.

It can be. At 65–75p per kWh, rapid charging on the motorway network costs roughly 18–22p per mile for a typical EV — comparable to or slightly more than a petrol car. That's why most EV owners do 80%+ of their charging at home and only use public rapid chargers for long journeys. Some networks offer subscription plans that knock 10–20% off the per-kWh price for regular users.

As of late 2026, the best value is typically Intelligent Octopus Go at around 8p/kWh during a 6-hour overnight window. Other options include EDF GoElectric Overnight (~8p midnight–5am), Ovo Charge Anytime (~7p in smart windows), and British Gas Electric Driver (~9p overnight). You'll generally need a smart meter, and some require a compatible car or charger for automatic scheduling.

The standing charge is a fixed daily cost you pay regardless of how much electricity you use — it's part of your household bill, not a per-mile EV cost. If you're comparing the marginal cost of driving an extra mile, you only count the unit rate. This calculator uses unit rates only, so it's a fair apples-to-apples comparison with petrol (which has no standing charge equivalent).

Check the car's trip computer, owner's manual or review sites. Real-world figures tend to be lower than official WLTP lab tests — especially in winter. As a rough guide: small EVs like the Fiat 500e or Renault Zoe achieve 4–4.5 mi/kWh; family cars like the Tesla Model 3 or MG4 do 3.5–4 mi/kWh; larger SUVs like the Kia EV9 or Mercedes EQS SUV do 2.5–3 mi/kWh.