How much does it cost to charge an electric car at home in 2026?
The cost of running an electric car depends almost entirely on where and when you charge it. Charging at home overnight is by far the cheapest option.
The simple sum
Cost per mile = electricity price per kWh ÷ miles per kWh
Most EVs manage 3 to 4 miles per kWh in everyday driving, less in winter and on motorways. We'll use 3.5 below.
Cost per mile by tariff
| Where you charge | Typical price per kWh | Cost per mile |
|---|---|---|
| Home, EV off-peak tariff | 7p | 2.0p |
| Home, standard tariff | 25p | 7.1p |
| Public rapid charger | 65p to 90p | 18.6p to 25.7p |
For comparison, a petrol car doing 45 mpg at 169p a litre costs about 17.1p a mile in fuel.
From 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, household electricity in Great Britain is VAT-free, which trims these home charging costs slightly. Northern Ireland keeps 5% VAT but gets a £63 credit instead. See the electricity VAT cut explained.
Cost per charge
Charging a car with a 60 kWh battery from 10% to 80% adds about 42 kWh. That costs roughly £2.94 on an off-peak tariff, £10.50 on a standard tariff, or around £33 at a rapid charger at 79p per kWh.
How to get the cheapest charging
- Switch to an EV tariff. Several suppliers offer very cheap overnight electricity for EV owners. Check the daytime rate too, as it can be higher than a standard tariff.
- Schedule your charging. Use your car's or charger's app to charge only in the cheap window.
- Use rapid chargers sparingly. They're for long journeys. Relying on them daily can make an EV cost as much to fuel as a petrol car.
No driveway?
If you can't charge at home, look for slower public chargers at supermarkets, car parks and lamp posts, which are usually cheaper than rapid chargers, and workplace charging if your employer offers it.
Work out your own costs
Put your electricity price, mileage and efficiency into the EV running cost calculator to compare against your current car. Prices change often, so use the rate on your own bill.