How Much Does It Cost To Charge An Electric Car?
How Much Does It Cost To Charge An Electric Car?
Electric cars are becoming more popular in the UK as the public steps towards a more
sustainable future.
The UK Government has pledged to provide £500m over the next five years to support
a roll-out of electric chargers, meaning charging ports are becoming even more
accessible to drivers.
Though electric vehicles may be slightly more expensive to purchase, their price is
offset by much lower running costs than standard petrol and diesel cars.
Factors that Influence How Much Charging Your EV Costs
There is no one standard price of charging for EVs. The running costs for an electric vehicle will depend on:● The type of electric vehicle being charged
● The power of the electric charger you are using
● Your energy tariff (especially when home charging)
● The capacity of your electric vehicle's battery (much like a petrol or diesel engine, if the battery has a larger capacity, it will take longer to fill and subsequently cost more – however, it will last longer)
All these factors need to be considered when estimating cost.
Standard Home Charging Costs
The standard formula for calculating the cost of charging an electric car is: the price of electricity (kW/hour) x battery size.The three most common battery types you'll have in an electric car will be 30 kWh, 60 kWh, and 90 kWh. Based on an average 60 kWh battery, with a range of 200 miles – the average cost in 2022 is estimated at 28p/kWh, or £16.80 for a zero to full charge.
Here is a table with some price-by-charge estimations for popular models of EVs, we have estimated the cost based on the UK national average electricity cost (28p per kWh):
| Model | Total Estimated Cost To Charge (From Empty To Full At Home) | Range (NEDC) | Total Price Per Mile Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 (2021) | £14.63-£21.81 | 278-360 Miles | 15p x 37kWh |
| Fiat 500 V | £10.58 | 199 Miles | 15p x 6.26p |
| Toyota bZ4X (2022) | £18.99 | 315 miles | 7.81p |
| Kia E-Niro 39kWh (2020) | £9.83 | 180 Miles | 6.42p |
| Audi E-tron 50 (2020) | £18.89 | 194 Miles | 11.45p |
Your energy tariff will play a big part in how much it costs to charge your EV, and lots of things can affect the price. For example, if you have a reduced off-peak overnight energy tariff, you could save money on your running costs by charging your electric car overnight.
It is worth noting that most EV owners do not charge their vehicle battery from empty to full. The common process is to top up the battery after each use, and only charge to 80%. This prolongs the life of their battery.
Electric vs Petrol
If you're charging your Electric vehicle with a home port, it should always be significantly cheaper than petrol. There are also a number of free charging stations available throughout the UK – popular supermarkets such as Sainsbury's, Tesco, Lidl and Aldi offer free charging for EVs in a number of their locations.The only time an EV driver may pay a high cost is when using a public 'rapid charger'. Rapid chargers offer higher voltage and fast energy delivery but often come at a higher price.
Government Grant Schemes For EVs
As of April 2020, under the UK government, all EVs are exempt from road tax for the duration of their use.There are over 400 public EV charging ports in London, making it easy to find power for your electric vehicle. Some ports (like the ones at supermarkets like Sainburys and Aldi) even offer completely free charging. You can make this charging process quick, simple, and cost-effective if you have the right charging cable.
The UK Government has also put a scheme to give the public a max of £1,500 off the price of qualifying electric vehicles and give a significant discount on charging point installation.
Why Choose Smartly?
If you've made the switch to electric but aren't sure what to use, we're here to help you find the most cost-effective way to charge your electric vehicles. We offer everything you need to get going with your EV, such as:
● Chargers
● Charging Cables
● Mounting Posts
● Fault Detection Connection Units
You can use our
vehicle selector to find your electric car's model, and it will provide you with the specifications you'll need to figure out your optimal charging times and accessories.
You can also browse guides from our learning hub to learn more about electric vehicles and home charging options.
All our cables are made in Britain, and all our products are sourced locally from Europe. We only deal in premium-grade products, meaning no energy (or money) is wasted when charging your electric vehicle.
We believe the future is in sustainability and electricity. We are also a
