How much does it cost to charge an electric car?
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Electric vehicles (EVs) can be a cheaper and more environmentally friendly way to travel. Find out how much they cost to charge at home, work or on the road.
- The fastest chargers – normally found at supermarkets and petrol stations – are the most expensive
- The cost of charging at home depends on the type of car, power of the charger and your energy tariff
- Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) are offering grants to help with the cost of installing home EV charging points
As well as helping you do your bit for the environment, studies have found that going electric when choosing your next car can reduce your running costs. Electric cars can also be more convenient than traditional vehicles. If you invest in a home charging point, you can simply plug in your vehicle and let it charge while you’re home.
In this article, we’ll compare the costs of charging your electric vehicle:
- At home
- At a public charging station
- At work
How much to charge an electric car?
Electric car charging at home
The cost of charging your electric car at home depends on the model of your vehicle, the wattage of your home charger and the cost of your electricity rate.
You may be able to switch to an EV electricity tariff, which can be beneficial for those who charge at home.
Most home EV chargers typically offer either 7kW or 3kW of power. The more power in the charger, the quicker your electric vehicle will be ready to hit the road, but often it’ll cost more to buy.
Some chargers offer multiple power settings. This gives you more flexibility to either short-term quick charge or gently power up your car overnight to give you peace of mind that it will be fully recharged the next morning. You can use a regular power outlet for this but for the best results, you’ll want to have a home charger installed.
Did you know?
LV= electric comprehensive car insurance covers your charging cables and home charging point(s) for accidental damage, fire and theft… but you’re responsible for taking reasonable care to prevent accidents when charging your vehicle.
It’s down to you to make sure you’re not creating a hazard, like leaving cables coiled up or left loose where someone could easily trip over them. So, you should avoid leaving them trailed across a public footpath, for example.
If it’s unavoidable, make sure you take necessary precautions, like using cable covers and signs to warn people of the potential hazard.
EV charging - charger installation
Installing your home charger is another cost to consider and should be worked into your budget if you’re calculating the costs of an electric car.
By installing an electric car charging point at home, you’ll always be within reach of a charge and can conveniently plug in your EV overnight. Not only could it cost less to charge at night, with lower electricity rates, but it can also be cheaper than charging on the go.
FAQs
Can you charge an electric car at home from a regular power outlet?
Yes, with the right charging cable, it’s possible to charge your EV from a standard three-pin plug. However, this will take longer than using a wall box.
How long does it take to charge an electric car at home?
The length of time it takes to charge your EV depends on the model of car and your charging method.
- 2.3kW (three-pin cable) - will give approximately 8 miles per hour of charge, taking between 13-30 hours to fully charge from empty, depending on your vehicle’s kWh battery.
- 3kW wall box - will give you approximately 10 miles per hour of charge, taking between 10-20 hours to fully charge from empty.
- 7kW wall box - will give you around 25 miles per hour of charge and usually takes around 5-10 hours to charge.
What is the best home charger?
With so many options available, it can be hard to know what's best.
To help you decide, you may want to consider what you need, what you don’t need, how it looks… and of course, your budget!
It's also important to think about where it would be mounted and what the distance from the consumer unit and your router would be.
Remember, all new charge points need to be connected to the internet, so if your car's parked out of Wi-Fi range, you may need to get ethernet cables routed to it which could increase installation costs.
What is the OZEV grant?
The government's OZEV plug-in grant is a government-funded scheme that provides help towards the cost of buying and installing an EV charging point at home. Electric vehicle owners are eligible for one OZEV-approved charging point per vehicle for a maximum of two electric vehicles per household. This is available for most electric and hybrid vehicles. You must also have off-street parking to be eligible.
There are lots of things to consider when deciding whether to buy an electric car. If you’re ready to make the next step, take a look at our electric car insurance. This has all the cover you’ll need for the exciting road ahead.