EV Charging Cost Guide: Home vs Public vs Petrol
An illustrative guide to charging at home, on public rapids and with solar. Spark EV chargers are coming soon; this guide is for information and does not offer charger enquiries or installation bookings.
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- Charging at home off-peak costs around 2–3p per mile — about a fifth of petrol.
- Public rapid charging is the most expensive way, at ~13–16p per mile.
- With solar, daytime charging is close to free.
- Spark EV chargers are coming soon; installation prices are not confirmed.
What Does it Cost to Charge an EV?
The cost of running an electric car depends almost entirely on where you charge. Charging at home overnight is dramatically cheaper than using public rapid chargers — and both are cleaner than petrol. Here's how the main options compare per mile, and over a typical 8,000-mile year:
| How you charge | Per mile | Per year* |
|---|---|---|
| Home, off-peak | ~2–3p | ~£190 |
| Home, standard rate | ~7p | ~£560 |
| Public rapid | ~13–16p | ~£1,160 |
| Petrol car (~45mpg) | ~15p | ~£1,170 |
*Illustrative 2026 figures based on ~3.5 miles per kWh over 8,000 miles. Your costs depend on your car, tariff and driving.
Charging at Home: the Cheapest Way
With a home charger on an off-peak or EV tariff, you can charge overnight for a fraction of daytime rates — often around 2–3p per mile. A smart charger schedules charging automatically to those cheap hours, so you wake up to a full battery having paid the lowest possible price.
For most drivers, the savings versus public charging and petrol mean a home charger pays for itself surprisingly quickly.
What About Public Charging?
Public rapid chargers are brilliant for longer trips, but they're the most expensive way to charge — typically 13–16p per mile, similar to or more than petrol. The trick most EV owners use is simple: charge at home for everyday driving, and only use public rapids when you're on the road.
Charging on Solar: Near-free Miles
This is where it gets really cheap. If you have solar panels, a solar-compatible charger diverts surplus daytime energy straight into your car — so those miles cost close to nothing. Add a battery and you can store daytime sun to charge in the evening too.
Because an EV roughly doubles a typical home's electricity use, it's also one of the best reasons to get solar: the more energy you use, the faster a solar system pays back. You can estimate your solar savings with our savings calculator.
How Much Does a Home Charger Cost?
Charger and installation costs depend on the model, electricity supply and work required at the property. Spark EV chargers are coming soon. The range is available to preview, but prices, enquiries and installation bookings are not available yet.
Is Home Charging Worth it?
For anyone who can charge at home, the answer is a clear yes. You'll typically cut your "fuel" costs by around 80% versus petrol, charge while you sleep, and never queue at a forecourt. Pair it with solar and your running costs drop close to zero — which is why so many EV owners go solar next.
Your Questions, Answered.
How much does it cost to charge an EV at home?
On a typical off-peak EV tariff, home charging costs around 2 to 3 pence per mile — roughly £190 a year for 8,000 miles, far less than petrol or public charging.
Is it cheaper to charge at home or in public?
Home charging is much cheaper. Off-peak home charging is around 2 to 3 pence per mile, while public rapid charging is typically 13 to 16 pence per mile.
How much can solar save on EV charging?
Charging from your own solar can make daytime miles close to free, because you use energy your panels generate rather than buying it from the grid.
Do I need a special tariff to charge cheaply?
An EV or off-peak tariff gives the cheapest overnight rates, and a smart charger schedules charging automatically to those hours so you always pay the lowest price.
Spark EV Chargers — Coming Soon
Explore this guide while our EV charging range is in preview. Installation details and pricing will be published at launch.
Coming soon