What does it cost to charge your electric car?
Pick your car. See the cost of a full charge at home, on an EV tariff and at public chargers, using current UK prices.
Today’s charging prices
Sources: Standard tariff · Intelligent Octopus Go · Public slow/fast · Public rapid. Octopus rates vary by postcode.
Popular cars: cost of a full charge
| Car | Battery | EV tariff | Standard tariff | Public rapid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model Y RWD | 57.5kWh | £4.86 | £16.82 | £44.28 |
| Tesla Model 3 RWD | 57.5kWh | £4.86 | £16.82 | £44.28 |
| MG MG4 Standard Range | 50.8kWh | £4.29 | £14.86 | £39.12 |
| Kia Niro EV | 64.8kWh | £5.47 | £18.95 | £49.90 |
| Volkswagen ID.3 Pro | 58kWh | £4.90 | £16.96 | £44.66 |
| Nissan Leaf 39kWh | 39kWh | £3.29 | £11.41 | £30.03 |
| Hyundai Kona Electric 65kWh | 65kWh | £5.49 | £19.01 | £50.05 |
| Renault 5 E-Tech 52kWh | 52kWh | £4.39 | £15.21 | £40.04 |
How we work it out
Cost of a full charge = usable battery size × price per kWh. For home charging we add about 10% for energy lost in the charger and cable. Cost per mile uses each car’s typical real-world efficiency, not the official range figure.
Common questions
How much does it cost to charge an electric car at home?
On a standard tariff at the current price cap rate of 26.32p per kWh, a full charge costs roughly £7 for a small car up to about £28 for a large SUV. On an off-peak EV tariff at 7.6p per kWh, the same charges cost less than a third of that.
What is the cheapest way to charge an electric car?
Charging at home overnight on an EV tariff. Intelligent Octopus Go currently charges 7.6p per kWh off-peak, compared with 26.32p on a standard tariff and an average of 77p at public rapid chargers.
How much does it cost per mile to run an electric car?
A typical EV doing 3.9 miles per kWh costs about 2.2p a mile on an off-peak EV tariff, 7.5p a mile on a standard tariff and 19.7p a mile on public rapid chargers. A typical petrol car costs about 17.7p a mile in fuel.
Do I need a special charger for an EV tariff?
For Intelligent Octopus Go you need a smart meter and either a compatible car or a compatible home charger, so Octopus can schedule your charging. Check compatibility on the Octopus site before you switch.
Are these figures exact?
No. They are estimates based on each car’s usable battery size and typical real-world efficiency. Your costs depend on how you drive, the weather, your region’s rates and how much you charge away from home.
Charge for 7.6p per kWh instead of 26.3p
Intelligent Octopus Go is built for EV drivers. Switch through our referral link and you also get £50 credit on your account.
Get an Octopus Quote + £50 Credit →You need a compatible car or charger and a smart meter. Link checked 5 October 2026.