Last modified 22nd April 2026
Author Matt Tinkler
Electric vehicles (EV) are increasingly popular as an environmentally-friendly alternative to petrol and diesel-powered vehicles. While you may have already thought through the sustainability and potential tax perks of an EV, it’s likely you’re wondering about the impact on your pocket after the initial investment of the purchase. In this article, we’re revealing how to calculate the EV charging costs, and which factors have an influence on them.
EVs come in various shapes and sizes, from small cars to SUVs and commercial vehicles, making them suitable for a range of homes and lifestyles.
Traditional vehicles are powered by an internal combustion engine, fuelled by diesel or petrol. Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) combine an internal combustion engine with lithium-ion batteries, offering the flexibility to run on electric alone, or switch to traditional motor fuels when required.
All-electric vehicles (also known as Battery Electric Vehicles - BEVs) run solely on electricity, and rely entirely on their rechargeable batteries to power the electric motor. This results in zero exhaust emissions and no reliance on fossil fuels, leaving BEVs earning the title of the purest electric vehicle.
The cost of your electricity will depend on the rates set by your electricity provider. You can find out the rate by checking your contract or bill, or you can contact your provider to find out the price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for your home.
Like electric vehicles, EV chargers come in all shapes and sizes, with some being slower but more energy-efficient when charging, and others being faster to charge but consuming more electricity.
As you might expect, larger batteries require more electricity to charge fully when compared with smaller ones.
The most cost-effective way of charging your battery is almost certainly at home when compared with public charging stations, where you pay almost double per kWh for speed and convenience.
Once you’ve determined your EV’s battery capacity in kilowatt-hours (find this in the owner's manual) you need to multiply it by the cost per kWh in pence, which should be taken from your electricity bill or contract. This will give you the cost of charging your electric vehicle from empty to full.
Take this figure and divide it by the number of average miles your car is able to drive on a full battery to find out the cost per mile of running your BEV.
Our vehicle energy usage calculator makes it easy to find out how much it will cost to run your new EV, simply select your vehicle and your weekly manage to find out how much you could save by going electric this year.
Are you ready to reap the rewards of an electric vehicle? Explore our range of EV chargers now for cost-effective charging from the comfort of your own home.