EV charging considerations
What the LEXperts say
As an EV owner, it's essential to understand your options for charging your vehicle, whether at home, on the road, or using local charging stations. Here’s a guide to help you make the most of available charging options and manage your costs effectively.
How do drivers charge their EVs?
For personal EV owners, there are several ways to ensure your vehicle stays charged and ready to go:
Home charging
Home charging can be done through a dedicated wall-box. Installing home charge points, costing approximately £500 – £1200, reduces the need for public charging stops.
A dedicated EV home charger operates at 7kW although you can charge via a three-pin plug socket, a dedicated home charge point significantly reduce charging times compared to a three-pin socket. For example, a 77kWh Kia EV6 can charge from 20% to 80% in approximately 6 hours 30 minutes with a 7kW home charger. It would take up to three times that with a three-pin socket.
Public charging
Many UK towns and cities offer on-street charge points from lamp posts or other electrical outlets. Charge points are also available at service stations and supermarkets, some of which are ultra-rapid units. With over 80,000 public charge points in the UK as of June 2025, drivers can leverage this growing network.
Most modern EVs come equipped with built-in satellite navigation systems that identify public charging points and, in some cases, integrate charging stops into route planning. Additionally, apps like Zapmap provide a useful way to locate charge points and check availability in real time.
What is the cost of charging an EV?
Understanding EV charging routines helps drivers to budget their costs. Compared to the cost of fuelling petrol vehicles, charging an EV can offer substantial savings. For example, here is a summary of typical charging specifications for a Kia EV6:
|
Charger type |
Power output |
Charging time (20% - 80%) |
Average cost (per kWh) |
Example cost |
Cost per mile |
Typical usage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Charger type Home (EV tariff) |
Power output 7.4kW |
Charging time (20% - 80%) 6 hours, 30 minutes |
Average cost (per kWh) 8p |
Example cost £3.53 |
Cost per mile 1.9p |
Typical usage At home, overnight charging |
|
Charger type Home (domestic) |
Power output 7.4kW |
Charging time (20% - 80%) 6 hours, 30 minutes |
Average cost (per kWh) 25p |
Example cost £11.03 |
Cost per mile 6p |
Typical usage At home, or workplace charging |
|
Charger type Public (fast) |
Power output <50kW |
Charging time (20% - 80%) 54 minutes |
Average cost (per kWh) 57p |
Example cost £25.14 |
Cost per mile 13.6p |
Typical usage Service stations or urban hubs |
|
Charger type Public (rapid) |
Power output >50kW |
Charging time (20% - 80%) 20 minutes |
Average cost (per kWh) 80p |
Example cost £35.28 |
Cost per mile 19p |
Typical usage Service stations and high-demand areas |
Example used: A Kia EV6 with a 77.4kWh battery with a range of 328 miles charging at 7.4kW, 50kW and 150kW speeds. Based on estimates, charging time and costs can differ by vehicle, the state of the battery and external factors. Costs taken from Zapmap price index November 2024.
Charging costs vary depending on location and rates. When charging at home, rates can be as low as 7p/kWh, translating to a cost of less than 2p per mile. This makes EVs significantly more cost-effective, often a fraction of the cost of petrol.
For context, a petrol vehicle averaging 40mpg costs around 17p per mile, while a diesel at 50mpg costs roughly 14p per mile. Over 10,000 miles, switching from a diesel SUV to an electric SUV could save you £1,787.83 per year when charging at home with a cheaper EV tariff.
Maximising value
You should consider how and where your vehicles are charged to maximise savings. Apps and in-car navigation systems help drivers find the best chargers, ensuring efficiency and cost control. Public charging is often more expensive, so it's best to top up just enough to reach a cheaper home or workplace charger.
Just like petrol and diesel prices, EV charging costs vary depending on the provider and location. For example, charging at motorway services is often more expensive than at supermarkets or urban charging points, in a similar way to refuelling with petrol or diesel. Payment apps and RFID cards are available to improve accessibility.
Article published June 2025