Public charging costs vs home
Public rapid charging costs about 10 times as much per kWh as an off-peak home tariff.
Average prices per kWh
| Where | Per kWh | Full charge* | Per mile* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligent Octopus Go (off-peak) | 7.6p | £4.86 | 2.2p |
| Standard tariff (price cap) | 26.32p | £16.82 | 7.5p |
| Public charger (under 50kW) | 54p | £31.05 | 13.8p |
| Public rapid charger (50kW+) | 77p | £44.28 | 19.7p |
*Example: Tesla Model Y RWD. Public prices: Zapmap Price Index. Zapmap Price Index average, August 2026. Individual networks charge more or less than the average.
When public charging makes sense
- Long trips, where a rapid top-up gets you moving again quickly.
- If you have no driveway and can’t charge at home.
- Free or cheap chargers at work, supermarkets or hotels.
Cutting the cost
If you can charge at home, do most of your charging there overnight on an EV tariff and keep rapid chargers for journeys. See how the cheapest home tariff works, or find your car’s charging costs.
FAQs
How much does public EV charging cost in the UK?
On average 54p per kWh at chargers under 50kW and 77p per kWh at rapid and ultra-rapid chargers, according to the Zapmap Price Index.
Why is public charging so much more expensive than home charging?
Public networks have to pay for the chargers, grid connections, land and maintenance, and public charging carries 20% VAT. Home electricity is taxed at a lower rate and you can use cheap overnight tariffs.
How can I pay less for public charging?
Charge at home whenever you can, use slower chargers when you have time, and look at network subscriptions or off-peak pricing if you use one network a lot.
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.