Electric car home charging costs explained
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Quick answer: Home EV charging costs roughly 7–15p per mile at domestic electricity rates — cheaper than public rapid chargers and petrol for most drivers with off-street parking.
Workplace charging schemes and EV-specific electricity tariffs can reduce costs further. OZEV installation grants have changed, so check current support before booking an installer. This guide compares home charging costs with public rapid charging.
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Read the full cars & motoring guide →Primary source: www.gov.uk/plug-in-vehicle-grants
Tariff optimisation
Schedule charging overnight on an EV tariff to access off-peak rates. Tariffs like Octopus Intelligent need a compatible car or smart charger to automate the cheapest charging windows.
A solar diverter can charge your car from surplus panel generation during the day. This effectively gives you free miles when your home produces more solar power than you consume.
Flat and rental
Landlord permission is needed to install a charger in rented property. Renter rights are improving but trailing a cable across a pavement remains unsafe and may be illegal.
Community charging and on-street lamppost chargers are alternatives without a driveway. Per-kWh costs are higher than home charging but avoid installation costs entirely.
Company car angle
Benefit-in-kind tax on electric company cars is low, making salary sacrifice EV schemes popular. Home charging reimbursement has specific tax rules if your employer pays.
Employers can pay 7p per mile for business use in a qualifying electric car without a fuel benefit charge. This replaces the older advisory fuel rate approach for EVs.
Common questions
Is home charging cheaper than petrol?
Usually yes at domestic electricity rates. Compare pence per mile using your tariff and your car's efficiency against your previous petrol costs.
Do I need a smart meter?
A smart meter helps access time-of-use EV tariffs but is not mandatory for installing a basic 7kW home charger. You can charge on a standard tariff without a smart meter.
Can I claim installation on tax?
Landlords may claim charger installation as a property improvement. Employees rarely deduct home charger costs personally unless used exclusively for business.