How Much Does It Cost to Charge an Electric Car at Home?

Home EV charging is one of the most convenient and cost-effective ways to keep your electric vehicle ready to go. Whether you live in a detached house, a terraced property, or shared housing like an apartment complex, installing a home EV charger can make charging easier and more affordable.

But what exactly influences the cost and time it takes to charge at home? Let’s break it down.

What Affects the Cost of Home EV Charging?

The cost of charging an EV at home depends on several factors, including:

- Your electricity tariff: Night-time rates on time-of-use tariffs, such as EV-specific plans, can significantly lower costs.

- The size of your battery: Larger batteries, like 60 kWh, require more electricity to fully charge.

- Your home charger: Most home EV chargers provide 7 kW of power, striking a balance between charging speed and energy efficiency.

- Your home type: Where you live impacts your ability to install a private charger and how you pay for electricity.

Charging Costs by Home Type

Detached and Semi-Detached Homes

Homeowners with off-street parking can install a private EV charger that connects directly to their electricity supply. This means they can benefit from off-peak tariffs and smart charging to minimise costs. A full charge typically costs between £9 and £18, depending on electricity rates and battery size.

Terraced Houses

If you live in a terraced house with a driveway, installing a charger works similarly to detached homes. However, if parking is on-street, you may need to explore alternative solutions like kerbside chargers or community charging schemes. Costs remain similar, but the availability of charge points may vary.

Apartments and Shared Housing

For apartment residents and those in shared housing schemes, the cost of charging depends on the setup provided by the landlord or management company.

Private Parking with a Dedicated Charger: If you have an allocated parking space and can install a private charger, your electricity costs will be similar to those in houses.

Shared Charging Stations: If your building has shared charging stations, landlords or housing associations may set their own rates per kWh, which can be higher than domestic electricity tariffs.

Pay-as-You-Go Charging: Some communal chargers use a session-based or per-kWh fee, which could vary depending on provider and location.

To get the best value, check with your landlord or building manager about available tariffs and potential savings on shared charging. Find out about more options here.

How Long Does It Take to Charge at Home?

Using a 7 kW home EV charger, a typical 60 kWh battery will charge from empty to full in about 8 hours. However, many drivers rarely let their battery drain completely. Instead, they use top-up charging, which is faster and more convenient.

Charging overnight: Plugging in your car overnight allows you to take advantage of lower 

electricity rates, ensuring your EV is fully charged and ready to go by morning.

Partial charging: To go from 20% to 80% battery capacity, it usually takes 6–8 hours, depending on your charger and car.

For every hour of charging, you can expect to add 20–40 miles of range with a 7 kW charger. This makes home EV charging ideal for daily driving needs.

Maximising Cost Savings with Home EV Chargers

Here are some tips to save even more when charging your EV at home:

Install a smart EV home charger: These devices can schedule charging during off-peak hours to reduce costs.

Choose an EV-friendly electricity plan: Many energy providers have special rates for EV owners. These rates are lower during certain hours.

Use solar power: If you have solar panels, you can charge your car with clean energy. This helps lower costs and reduce your carbon footprint.

Why Home EV Charging is the Best Option

Charging at home isn’t just cost-effective—it’s incredibly convenient. By charging overnight and not depending on public charging stations, you will save time and money over time.

Begin your EV charging journey and make home charging easy and affordable. Check out Weev’s home EV charger installation services and get started today.