How Much Does It Cost to Charge an Electric Car?

Similar to petrol diesel vehicles, the cost of running an electric car differs according to the make and model.

The good news is that an electric car will cost you a lot less to run the traditional combustion engine found in petrol and diesel cars, requiring no fuel and a lot less maintenance over the course of ownership. But, how much does it cost to charge an electric car? Continue reading this guide brought to you by YESSS Electrical to find out more information on the exact costs involved in charging an EV.

The Cost of EV Charging at a Public Charging Station

Public chargers can be found at a number of locations including car parks, shopping centres, supermarkets, cinema and service stations. In some cases, there are even EV chargers at the side of the road. Most local authorities will offer a pay per session for on-street chargers.

The cost of charging at a public charging station differs according to the location of the charging point and the power rating; whether the EV charger is slow, fast or rapid. Rapid chargers, often found at motorway services, are generally more expensive. Offering charging speeds of up to 80% in 20-40 minutes, rapid EV chargers tend to be more costly as they are incredibly quick and convenient.

If you own a Tesla, there are many charging points across the UK that are free to use as part of the Tesla Supercharger Network. For those who don't own a Tesla, EV charging fees at public charging stations will vary according to which network you use. Polar is currently the largest UK public charging network, offering access as a membership card, subscription service or pay-as-you-go. to Find your closest public charger, read our simple guide on how to find your nearest EV charging station using Google Maps.

Electric Car Charging Cards

Some networks are now offering EV charging cards in addition to smartphone apps. These cards are currently provided by large charging networks including Polar, ChargeYourCar and Shell Recharge.

An electric car charging card provides you with access to various EV charging points around the UK, but you'll need to register with a membership scheme before using the card. The card works by tapping against the reader at the charge point. Some charging networks will offer a subscription service where you'll pay a discounted rate if you frequently use their public charging points.

The Cost of EV Charging at Work

Workplace charge points are an incredibly convenient way for commuters to charge their EV on site, especially those who travel far for work.

The cost of charging your electric vehicle at work will vary depending on the organisation you work for. Some businesses choose to offer free EV charging to employees, while others may provide EV charging on a time-based tariff to encourage users to share the charge point.

The cost of EV charging at work varies according to whether your employer has slow, fast or rapid EV chargers installed. If they choose to install rapid EV chargers, you should expect to pay around £7-£10 for an 80% charge on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Businesses can currently receive the government incentive 'Workplace Charging Scheme'. This provides a contribution of up to £300 per socket towards the up-front costs of purchasing and installing workplace charging points.

The Cost of EV Charging at Home

Home charging is the main option for most EV owners. It's convenient, cheap, and better for your battery life.

The average electricity rate is around 28p per kWh. To fully charge a 60kWh electric car at home, the approximate cost is around £15 for 200 miles of range. However, this price can vary depending on the type of EV charger you have installed, your energy tariff and the make and model of your vehicle.

By switching to an EV energy tariff, you could benefit from cheaper electricity costs. Let's take a look.

EV Energy Tariffs

Some energy suppliers are now offering energy tariffs specifically targeted at EV owners.

EV tariffs can also include discounts on public charging and perks such as free miles. OVO Energy have previously offered 5,000 free miles to MINI EV owners who make the switch to OVO Drive plan.

Here's the five different types of EV tariffs available:

Single-rate tariffs

A single-rate tariff is where you pay a single rate throughout the day and the night.

Dynamic time-of-use tariffs

With a dynamic time-of-use tariff, the cost of energy will rise in peak periods and fall in off-peak times, meaning energy will be cheaper.

Static time-of-use tariffs 

Time-of-use tariffs offer cheaper electricity costs overnight.

Type-of-use tariffs

Type-of-use tariffs separate your EC charging costs from your household energy costs, by a smart meter with a discounted rate for the electricity used to charge your EV.

Vehicle-to-grid tariffs

Vehicle-to-grid tariffs allow EVs to store energy and sell it back to the grid, offering savings on energy bills. 

For more information, read our in-depth guide on the best energy tariffs for EV owners.

Are Electric Cars Cheaper to Run?

One of the main benefits of electric cars is that they are cheaper to run than the traditional petrol or diesel engine. In a recent survey, 39% of people said they were considering buying an EV due to rising fuel costs. With the average price of petrol at £1.72 per litre, it costs approximately £14.85 to travel 100 miles. In comparison, the average UK electricity price is currently at around 28p per kWh meaning that charging your 60kWh  EV to travel 100 miles would cost you only £7.50

EVs also have a lot less moving parts, reducing expensive repair bills and maintenance costs. Fully electric cars are exempt from paying tax for the first year, with subsequent years free unless your car was over £40,000 when purchased, in which case you will still pay a lower tax rate than if you owned a petrol or diesel car.

Commercial and Domestic EV Charging Solutions

At YESSS Electrical, we can provide you with a fast, conveinient and energy-efficient EV charger for your home or business. We supply a large range of high-quality EV chargers from top brands such as Pod Point, Wallbox, Myenergi and Easee to ensure that you have efficient access to a reliable EV charger whenever you need it.

All of our domestic and commercial EV chargers are affordably priced, so you can rest assured that you are receiving the best possible deal. Check out our excellent range of EV charging points today to find a suitable EV charger for yourcommercial or domestic space. Alternatively, read our guide on which EV charger brand is best.