EV charging cost calculator
This tool works out what an electric car charge costs, from battery size, price per kWh and efficiency. On a 60 kWh battery at 7p per kWh, a full charge is an estimated £4.20, or about 2.0p a mile at 3.5 miles per kWh. There is no statutory rate behind this figure, only the tariff entered.
How much does it cost to fully charge an electric car?
The cost of a charge is the energy put in, measured in kWh, times the price paid per kWh. A full charge of a 60 kWh battery needs about 60 kWh of energy. On a 7p home tariff that full charge is an estimated £4.20. The car itself barely matters: where and when the charging happens is what moves the bill.
Cost per mile is the figure to compare against petrol. It is the price per kWh divided by efficiency in miles per kWh. Cheap home charging can land near 2.0p a mile, while a typical petrol car sits closer to 14p a mile on current pump prices. Public rapid charging narrows that gap considerably, which is why a driver who cannot charge at home saves far less than the headline EV figures suggest.
What does a full charge cost on an example car?
A 60 kWh car charged from empty to full at 7p per kWh costs an estimated £4.20. At 3.5 miles per kWh that full charge gives an estimated 210 miles of range, so the estimated cost per mile is 2.0p. Moving the same charge to a public rapid charger at a much higher price per kWh would raise both figures well above a frugal petrol car.
Common questions
How much does it cost to fully charge an electric car?
Multiply the battery size in kWh by the price you pay per kWh. A 60 kWh battery on a 7p off-peak home tariff costs about £4.20 for a full charge. The same charge on a public rapid charger at 75p would cost about £45, so where you charge matters far more than the car.
Why is home charging so much cheaper than public?
Home off-peak tariffs can be under 10p per kWh overnight, while public rapid chargers often run 60p to 80p per kWh. That is a six to ten times difference for the same energy, so most EV running-cost savings come from charging at home when you can.
How do I work out cost per mile?
Divide the price per kWh by your efficiency in miles per kWh. At 7p per kWh and 3.5 miles per kWh, that is about 2p a mile. A petrol car doing 45 mpg at £1.40 a litre works out near 14p a mile, so home charging is far cheaper per mile.
Should I charge to 100%?
For daily use many manufacturers suggest charging to about 80% to protect the battery, and only going to 100% before a long trip. This tool lets you set the start and end percentage so you can cost a realistic top-up rather than a full charge.
What does a full charge cost on an example car?
A 60 kWh battery charged from empty to full at 7p per kWh costs an estimated £4.20. At 3.5 miles per kWh that gives an estimated 210 miles of range, so the estimated cost per mile is 2.0p. A higher price per kWh, such as on a public rapid charger, raises both figures.
Sources & Rate Verification
Rates verified against official statutory guidance on 6 September 2026.