Electric Car Charging Cost: Home Charger Vs Public Chargers
When charging an electric car, choosing your method for charging can have a significant impact on cost. This is worth bearing in mind when budgeting for your electric vehicle. In this article, we take a closer look.
Understanding home charging
Home charging is by and large the cheapest method of charging your electric vehicle. This obviously depends on your electricity tariff, which can range from 15p-34p per kWh.
Everyone’s circumstances will be different. For example, if your electric vehicle has a 60kWh battery and you pay 20p per kWh for your home electricity, it will equate to paying around £12 for a charge. We know from experience an average electric car gets 3-4 miles per kWh, which means you’re spending 5p-7p per mile.
If you are with an electricity provider which offers off-peak tariffs, this can help with your charging costs drastically too. Off-peak tariffs give you lower rates, and you can even earn money by sending surplus energy back to the grid. This would save you even more money.
Installing a home charger will cost you between £800 and £1,500 but it’s worth checking out for any compatible government grants before you take the plunge.
Understanding public charging
It may be more expensive, but public charging does offer faster charging options that home charging can’t.
Costs vary massively, ranging anywhere from 30p to 70p per kWh, with some ultra-rapid chargers costing more. Using the earlier example, 60kwH charged at a typical 50p per kWh rate would cost you £30 to fully charge.
For complete transparency, some networks add a connection fee on top of the kWh cost to charge your car at fast charge points.
Of course, if you need to recharge quickly to carry on your journey, fast chargers are ideal for this. But from a regular point of view, home charging is a far more sustainable routine.
Considering electric?
Look at our Electric Hub page for more information on driving electric. We have a wide variety of brand new and quality used electric vehicles, from family estates to nippy saloons and everything in between. Come visit your local Vertu Motors dealership today or drop us a phone call for everything electric.