One of the first questions any new EV owner asks is: *how much is this actually going to cost me?* The good news is that charging an electric car at home in the UK remains significantly cheaper than filling up with petrol — and with the right tariff, the savings are dramatic. This guide breaks down exactly what you'll pay to charge an EV at home in 2026, using the latest Ofgem price cap figures, real smart tariff rates, and honest cost-per-mile calculations for popular UK cars.
💡 Key takeaway: At the April 2026 Ofgem price cap rate of 24.67p/kWh, charging an EV at home costs roughly 7p per mile. On a smart EV tariff at 8p/kWh, that drops to just 2.3p per mile — compared to around 14–16p per mile for petrol.
## UK Electricity Rates in 2026 — What You're Actually Paying From 1 April 2026, Ofgem's energy price cap sets the standard variable electricity rate at **24.67p per kWh**, with a daily standing charge of **54.75p**. This is a 6.7% fall from the previous quarter, bringing the typical household annual bill to around **£1,641**. But the price cap is just the starting point. If you're charging an EV at home and you're still on a standard variable tariff, you're paying far more than you need to. **EV-specific tariffs** offer off-peak rates as low as **7.9–9.5p per kWh** — that's 60–70% cheaper than the standard rate. We'll get into the specifics shortly, but the point is simple: your electricity rate is the single biggest factor in your charging costs, and it's the one thing you can control. *For a full comparison of every major EV tariff, see our [Best EV Energy Tariffs UK 2026 guide](/guides/best-ev-tariff-uk-2026/).* ## Cost Per Mile for Popular UK EVs Different EVs have different efficiency ratings, which means they cost different amounts per mile to run. Here's what the most popular UK models cost at each electricity rate:
VehicleEfficiency (mi/kWh)Standard Rate (24.67p)Smart Tariff (8p)
Tesla Model 33.96.3p/mile2.1p/mile
Tesla Model Y3.66.9p/mile2.2p/mile
VW ID.33.76.7p/mile2.2p/mile
Hyundai Ioniq 53.47.3p/mile2.4p/mile
MG43.86.5p/mile2.1p/mile
BMW iX3.18.0p/mile2.6p/mile
Nissan Leaf (40kWh)3.57.0p/mile2.3p/mile
Kia EV63.47.3p/mile2.4p/mile
Peugeot e-2084.06.2p/mile2.0p/mile
MINI Electric3.66.9p/mile2.2p/mile
*Efficiency figures are real-world averages, not manufacturer claims. Your actual figures will vary with driving style, temperature, and terrain.* The takeaway: even on a standard tariff, every one of these cars costs less per mile than petrol. On a smart tariff, the savings are extraordinary. ## Home Charging vs Public Charging vs Petrol — The Full Comparison This is the comparison that really matters. Here's what the average UK driver (7,400 miles per year, per DfT statistics) would pay annually under each scenario:
Charging MethodCost per kWh / LitreCost per MileAnnual Cost (7,400 miles)
Home (standard rate)24.67p/kWh~7.0p~£520
Home (smart tariff)~8p/kWh~2.3p~£170
Public slow/fast (up to 50kW)~54p/kWh~15p~£1,140
Public rapid (50kW+)~76p/kWh~22p~£1,590
Petrol (avg car, 40mpg)~£1.38/litre~15.6p~£1,155
*Public charging rates are Zapmap weighted PAYG averages (February 2026). Petrol cost based on UK average pump price March 2026.* The numbers speak for themselves. Home charging on a smart tariff is roughly **7x cheaper than petrol** and nearly **10x cheaper than public rapid charging**. Even on a standard electricity rate, you're saving around £635 per year versus petrol. This is why getting a [home charger](/best-picks/best-home-ev-chargers-uk/) installed is one of the best investments an EV owner can make — and why a [smart charger like the Ohme Home Pro](/reviews/ohme-home-pro-review/) that integrates with cheap tariffs is worth the premium. ## Smart Tariff Savings — The Real Game-Changer If you're charging an EV at home on a standard electricity rate, you're leaving hundreds of pounds on the table. Smart EV tariffs offer dramatically cheaper electricity overnight, and they're straightforward to switch to. Here are the main options as of March 2026: - **Intelligent Octopus Go** — 8p/kWh off-peak (11:30pm–5:30am), smart scheduling, whole-home benefit - **Octopus Go** — 9.5p/kWh off-peak (12:30am–5:30am), works with any charger - **British Gas EV Power+** — 7.9p/kWh off-peak (midnight–5am), requires Hive charger - **British Gas EV Power** — 9p/kWh off-peak (midnight–5am), any charger - **E.ON Next Drive Smart** — 8.5p/kWh off-peak (midnight–6am), smart scheduling - **OVO Charge Anytime** — Flat monthly subscription, smart charging at any time of day The potential savings are significant. For an average UK driver doing 7,400 miles per year: - **Standard rate (24.67p/kWh):** ~£520/year - **Smart tariff (8p/kWh):** ~£170/year - **Annual saving: ~£350** And that's just the EV charging. Most of these are two-rate tariffs, meaning your entire home gets the cheap rate overnight. Run your dishwasher, washing machine, and tumble dryer in the off-peak window and you'll save even more. *We've written a detailed comparison of every major EV tariff: [Best EV Energy Tariffs in 2026](/guides/best-ev-tariff-uk-2026/).* ## Monthly and Annual Cost Estimates Here's what the average UK driver (7,400 miles/year) can expect to pay for home charging, broken down monthly:
ScenarioMonthly CostAnnual Cost
Standard rate (24.67p/kWh)~£43~£520
Octopus Go (9.5p/kWh)~£20~£240
Intelligent Octopus Go (8p/kWh)~£14~£170
British Gas EV Power+ (7.9p/kWh)~£14~£167
*Based on average EV efficiency of 3.5 miles/kWh. Higher-mileage drivers will see proportionally larger savings from cheaper tariffs.* To put that in perspective: on Intelligent Octopus Go, you're paying roughly **£14 per month** to "fuel" your car. That's less than a single tank of petrol. For higher-mileage drivers doing 10,000–12,000 miles per year, the savings from a smart tariff are even more pronounced — you'd be looking at £225–£275 per year on an 8p tariff versus £700–£840 on a standard rate. ## How to Calculate Your Own Charging Costs The formula is straightforward: **Cost per charge = (Battery size in kWh × % you need to charge) × electricity rate** For example, charging a Tesla Model 3 (60kWh battery) from 20% to 80%: - Energy needed: 60kWh × 60% = 36kWh - On standard rate: 36 × 24.67p = **£8.88** - On smart tariff: 36 × 8p = **£2.88** **Cost per mile = electricity rate ÷ efficiency (miles per kWh)** For a car averaging 3.5 miles per kWh: - Standard rate: 24.67p ÷ 3.5 = **7.0p/mile** - Smart tariff: 8p ÷ 3.5 = **2.3p/mile** ## Tips to Minimise Your Charging Costs **1. Switch to an EV tariff.** This is the single biggest saving available to you. Even if you do nothing else, switching from a standard rate to an EV tariff will save £300–£500 per year. See our [EV tariff comparison guide](/guides/best-ev-tariff-uk-2026/). **2. Install a smart home charger.** A [smart charger](/guides/smart-ev-charger-explained/) like the [Ohme Home Pro](/reviews/ohme-home-pro-review/) integrates directly with Intelligent Octopus Go and other smart tariffs, automating your charging to always use the cheapest electricity. The [OZEV grant](/guides/ev-charger-government-grant-uk/) knocks up to £350 off installation costs. **3. Charge overnight, every night.** Rather than waiting until your battery is low and doing a big charge, plug in every evening and let the smart charger top up gradually during off-peak hours. This is gentler on the battery and ensures you always get the cheapest rates. **4. Avoid public rapid charging unless you need it.** At 76p/kWh, public rapid charging costs more than petrol per mile. Use it for long journeys, not daily top-ups. **5. Shift household appliances to off-peak.** On a two-rate tariff, your dishwasher and washing machine also benefit from the cheap overnight rate. Set them on delay timers. **6. Consider solar panels.** If you have solar panels, a charger with solar integration (like the [Myenergi Zappi](/reviews/myenergi-zappi-2-review/)) can charge your car from surplus solar energy for free during the day. --- ## FAQs ### Is it cheaper to charge an EV at home or at a public charger? Home charging is significantly cheaper. On a standard tariff, home charging costs around 7p per mile. On a smart EV tariff, it drops to about 2.3p per mile. Public slow/fast chargers average around 15p per mile, and rapid chargers around 22p per mile. Home charging on a smart tariff is roughly 7–10x cheaper than public rapid charging. ### How much does it cost to fully charge an electric car at home? It depends on battery size and your electricity rate. For a typical 60kWh EV on the standard rate (24.67p/kWh), a full charge costs about £14.80. On a smart tariff at 8p/kWh, that drops to around £4.80. Smaller batteries like the Nissan Leaf (40kWh) cost proportionally less. ### Is charging an EV cheaper than petrol? Yes — substantially. The average UK driver doing 7,400 miles per year would spend around £1,155 on petrol (at 40mpg). The same distance in an EV costs roughly £520 on a standard electricity rate, or just £170 on a smart tariff. That's a saving of £635–£985 per year on fuel alone. ### Do I need a special tariff to charge my EV at home? You don't *need* one — you can charge on any electricity tariff. But switching to an EV-specific tariff with off-peak rates can save you £300–£500 per year. All you need is a smart meter (your supplier will install one for free) and, for some tariffs, a compatible smart charger. ### How much does it cost to charge an EV per month in the UK? For the average UK driver doing about 7,400 miles per year, monthly charging costs range from around £43 on a standard tariff to as little as £14 on the best smart EV tariff. Even at the higher end, that's a fraction of what you'd spend on petrol. --- *See also: [Best EV Energy Tariffs 2026](/guides/best-ev-tariff-uk-2026/) · [Best Home EV Chargers UK](/best-picks/best-home-ev-chargers-uk/) · [OZEV Grant Guide](/guides/ev-charger-government-grant-uk/) · [How Long Does It Take to Charge an EV?](/guides/ev-charging-time-guide/)*

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