EV charging cost calculator
Find out how much it costs to charge your electric vehicle at home each year. Enter your car details and annual mileage, or use your actual home charging kWh from a recent bill or smart charger app. See what your charging costs at your current rate, at the Ofgem price cap, and at the cheapest EV overnight tariff currently available.
Charging costs are estimates based on the figures you enter. Actual costs depend on your vehicle, charger efficiency, charging habits, and the tariff available at your address. This calculator is for educational purposes only. Utility Matchmaker is an information and referral service.
Your EV and mileage
Typical real-world figure. Your actual efficiency may vary with speed, temperature, and driving style.
UK average is around 7,400 miles per year.
Public charging costs significantly more per kWh than home charging. This calculator shows home charging costs only.
Your electricity rate
From July 2026 the Ofgem price cap rate is 26.11p/kWh for standard variable tariffs. Find your rate on a recent energy bill.
Your estimated annual EV charging cost
Select your EV model and enter your mileage above to see your estimated annual charging costs.
How this calculator works
The mileage route divides your annual mileage by your vehicle's efficiency in miles per kWh to estimate the total electricity needed to charge your car each year. The bill route uses the kWh figure you enter directly. We then multiply the annual kWh by each reference rate to show what that charging would cost on different tariffs.
Annual kWh (mileage) = Annual mileage ÷ Efficiency (mi/kWh)
Annual cost = Annual kWh × Rate (p/kWh) ÷ 100
Efficiency figures are typical real-world values and vary with speed, temperature, payload, and driving style. Charging efficiency losses (typically 10-15%) mean the electricity drawn from the wall is slightly higher than the battery kWh added. Figures shown do not include public charging costs or standing charges. EV tariff overnight rates vary by region. The 7p/kWh figure reflects the Intelligent Octopus Go overnight rate in June 2026 and is used here as an illustrative reference. See our green energy tariffs guide for more on EV overnight tariffs, our smart meters guide for how smart meters support time-of-use rates, and the Octopus Energy supplier profile for background on one provider of EV overnight tariffs.
EV charging vs petrol: how do the costs compare?
One of the most significant financial benefits of switching to an electric vehicle is the reduction in fuel costs. At home charging rates, electricity is substantially cheaper per mile than petrol or diesel, and the gap widens further on a dedicated EV overnight tariff.
| Fuel type | Cost per mile | Annual cost (8,000 miles) |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol (average) | ~14-16p/mile | ~£1,120-£1,280/year |
| EV at price cap (26.11p/kWh, 4.2 mi/kWh) | ~6.2p/mile | ~£496/year |
| EV on overnight tariff (7p/kWh, 4.2 mi/kWh) | ~1.7p/mile | ~£133/year |
Petrol cost assumes approximately 40 mpg at 145p/litre (June 2026 average). EV figures use Ofgem typical consumption methodology. Actual costs depend on your specific vehicle, driving patterns, and available tariff. Figures are illustrative.
Frequently asked questions about EV charging costs
How much does it cost to charge an electric car at home in the UK?
From July 2026, charging at the Ofgem price cap rate of 26.11p per kWh, a typical electric car with an efficiency of around 4.2 miles per kWh costs approximately 6.2p per mile to charge at home. For a driver covering 8,000 miles per year this works out to around £496 annually for home charging. Drivers on a dedicated EV overnight tariff can pay as little as 7p per kWh during the overnight window, reducing annual charging costs to approximately £133 for the same mileage.
What is an EV overnight tariff and how much can it save?
An EV overnight tariff offers a cheaper electricity rate during an off-peak window, typically overnight between around 11:30pm and 5:30am, when grid demand is at its lowest. In June 2026 the cheapest available overnight rate is approximately 7p per kWh, compared to the July 2026 Ofgem price cap standard rate of 26.11p per kWh. For a driver using 2,000 kWh per year for home charging, switching from the cap rate to an overnight tariff could save approximately £382 per year on charging costs alone. A smart meter and in most cases a compatible smart charger are required.
How do I find out how many kWh I use charging my EV at home?
If you have a dedicated home wallbox or smart charger, its companion app typically logs the kWh delivered to your vehicle each session. If you have a smart meter, your energy supplier may be able to provide a breakdown showing home charging usage separately. You can also estimate by dividing your annual mileage by your vehicle's real-world efficiency in miles per kWh. Use our mileage route above if you know how far you drive each year.
Is charging an electric car cheaper than petrol?
Yes, in most scenarios home charging is significantly cheaper per mile than petrol or diesel. At the July 2026 Ofgem price cap rate, home EV charging costs approximately 6.2p per mile for a typical electric vehicle. A typical petrol car costs around 14 to 16p per mile at current fuel prices. On a dedicated EV overnight tariff the cost per mile can fall to below 2p.
Do I need a smart meter to get an EV overnight tariff?
Most dedicated EV overnight tariffs require a smart meter to access the off-peak rate. Some tariffs also require a compatible smart charger or electric vehicle with smart charging capability. Check the tariff terms when comparing options at your postcode.
Could you pay less to charge your EV?
A dedicated EV tariff with a cheap overnight rate could cut your home charging costs significantly compared to a standard variable tariff. Compare tariffs at your postcode to see what EV tariff options are available at your address.