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How much does it cost to charge an Electric Vehicle? A complete UK guide
One of the biggest questions people ask before switching to an electric vehicle is: "How much will it cost to charge?".
The good news is that, for most drivers, charging an EV is significantly cheaper than filling a petrol or diesel car. Whether you charge at home overnight, use a public charger while shopping or top up on a motorway journey, understanding how charging costs work can help you get the most from your electric vehicle.
In this guide, we'll use the Geely EX5 as an example, but the same principles apply to almost every electric car on sale today.
How are electric car charging costs calculated?
Charging costs are worked out using a simple calculation:
Battery capacity (kWh) × Electricity price (per kWh) = Charging cost
For example, if you add 40kWh of electricity and pay 30p per kWh:
40kWh × £0.30 = £12.00
It's worth remembering that you don't always charge from 0% to 100%. Most everyday charging is simply replacing the energy you've used since your last journey.
How much does it cost to charge a Geely EX5 at home?
Home charging is almost always the cheapest option.
Lets use the Geely EX5's 60.2kWh battery as an example - this battery is on the SE, Pro & Max trims
Overnight EV Tariff (Around 8p per kWh)
Many energy suppliers now offer dedicated EV tariffs, allowing you to charge overnight at significantly reduced rates.
Household names - such as E.ON Next Drive offer a tariff that is 8p per kWh between 12am - 7am. Some tariffs are even as low as 7p per kWh, but often have a smaller window of around 5 hours on this cheaper rate.
Approximate cost for a fully charge:
60.2kWh x £0.08 = £4.82
Standard Domestic Electricity Tariff (Around 26p per kWh)
Rates can vary across the country, depending on which region you are in. These can range from 24.2p to 27.7p per kWh. For the example we will use an average of 26p per kWh.
If you're charging during the day on a standard tariff:
60.2kWh x £0.26 = £15.65
Although it is more expensive that an overnight charge, it's still often much cheaper than filling a petrol or diesel fuel tank.
How much does public charging cost?
Public chargers can massively vary in pricing, this all depends on their location, availability and charging speed.
Below is the typical averages you would pay to charge in July 2026.
| Charger Type | Typical Cost | Best For |
| Fast (AC 7kW) | 52p - 65p per kWh | Shopping, work, overnight stays |
| Rapid (AC 43kW / DC 50kW) | 63p - 93p per kWh | Everyday top-ups |
| Ultra-Rapid (DC 150kW+) | 63p - 93p per kWh | Long journeys |
How much does it cost to charge from 20% to 80%?
Many EV drivers only charge between 20% and 80%, especially when using public chargers. This is mainly because batteries charge at their fastest within this range.
Using the Geely EX5 as an example again:
60% if a 60.2kWh battery = 36.1kWh
With that in mind here are approximate costs:
Home Charging - overnight @ 8.0p per kWh: £2.89
Home Charging - daytime @ 26.0p per kWh: £9.39
Public Charging - Rapid @ 69.0p per kWh: £24.91
Public Charging - Ultra-Rapid @ 85.0p per kWh: £30.69
Although public charging costs more, it offers more convenience when you're away from home or travelling longer distances.
How to find the cheapest public EV Chargers
One of the biggest advantages EV drivers have is the ability to choose where to charge. Just as petrol and diesel drivers might compare fuel prices before filling up, electric vehicle owners can compare charging networks to find the best value.
Several apps allow you to search for nearby charge points, compare prices per kWh, check charger availibilty and even filter by charging speed.
Popular Charging Apps
Zapmap
Zapmap is one of the UK's most popular EV charging apps. It allows you to:
Octopus Electroverse
Even if you are not an Octopus Energy customer, the Electroverse app provides access to thousands of chargers across multiple UK charging networks, using a single account.
Depending on the network, you may also benefit from discounted prices compares to paying direct.
How fast can a Geely EX5 charge?
The Geely EX5 supports:
On a compatible 100kW DC charger you can charge from 30% - 80% in around 20 minutes, making it ideal for motorway services, or a quick stop during longer journeys.
Geely EX5 Charging times from 20% to 80%
| Charging Method | Charger Power | Approximate Time |
| 3-pin Domestic Socket | 2.3kW | 16 - 17 Hours |
| Home Wallbox | 7kW | 5.5 - 6 Hours |
| Home / Work Wallbox (three-phase) | 11kW | 3.5 - 4 Hours |
| Public DC Rapid Charger | 50kW | 45 - 50 Minutes |
| Public DC Rapid Charger | 100kW | 25 - 30 Minutes |
| Public DC Ultra-Rapid Charger (Vehicle limited to around 135kW speeds) | 150kW+ | 18 - 20 Minutes |
Where can you charge using +100kW chargers?
To achieve the fastest charging speeds, you will need a charger capable of delivering at least 135kW. These will most likely be chargers that have an output of 150kW. More and more of these chargers are being installed for the public's use each month - reducing those range anxieties.
Examples include:
It's worth remembering that your car determines the maximum charging speed - not the charger being used. Plugging into a 350kW charger does not mean that your Geely EX5 will charge at 350kW - it will simply charge at its maximum rate of around 135kW.
Is an Ultra-Rapid charger worth the extra cost?
At first glance, ultra-rapid charging looks expensive because you're paying more per kWh. However, there's another factor to consider: your time.
For example:
A 50kW charger may take around 45-50 minutes to charge from 20%-80%.
A 100kW charger can complete the same charge in around 20-30 minutes, depending on conditions.
If you're stopping during a motorway journey, paying a few pounds more to save half an hour may be well worth it - you'd often pay a few quid more for a toll road if it meant you got to your destination sooner.
However, if you need a longer stop - if you're eating, shopping or needing a long rest, a slower charger could often be the better value choice.
Tips to save money when charging your EV
Charge at home whenever possible
Home charging is nearly always the cheapest option, especially if you have an EV-specific overnight tariff.
Take advantage of off-peak electricity
Scheduling your charging overnight is simple as most EV's have this functionality built into them. By scheduling to charge overnight you can reduce the costs by more than half compared with daytime electricity rates.
Only charge what you need
I you are travelling home and know that you can charge cheaply overnight, only add enough charge to compete your journey. This simple habit can save money over time by avoiding unnecessary use of more expensive public chargers.
Avoid charging to 100% every time
For everyday driving, many manufacturers recommend charging to around 80%, only charging to 100% before a longer journey where you need to use as much range as possible.
Don't forget FREE charging
Some supermarkets, shopping centres, hotels and workplaces offer free or discounted EV charging to customers. So if you're planning on spending a few hours shopping anyway, topping up your battery while you're there can help reduce the overall running costs of your EV.
Is it cheaper than petrol?
For nearly every driver - the answer is yes.
Charging overnight at home can reduce your energy cost dramatically compared to filling a petrol or diesel vehicle. Even when you consider the most expensive public charger rates - it is still competitive compared to the costs of traditional fuels, particularly drivers covering higher annual mileages.
Final Thoughts
Electric vehicle charging is far simpler than most people expect. Once you understand the difference between the public charging options and what you have available from your home charger, it becomes easier to choose the option that best suits your journey.
For most Geely EX5 owners, charging overnight at home will provide the lowest running costs. Public chargers are there for a top-up when you need them, while Ultra-Rapid chargers make long-distance traveling in an EV just as convenient as a petrol or diesel vehicle.
If you are considering making the switch to an electric vehicle, our team at Green 4 Motor Company can explain the different charging options, help you compare running costs to your current vehicle, arrange test drives in the Geely EX5 - plus also assisting with getting a Home Charger installed at a discounted rate!
The cost depends on where you charge and your electricity tariff. Charging at home on an overnight EV tariff can cost as little as a few pounds for a full charge, while daytime home charging and public rapid charging are generally more expensive.
For most drivers, yes. Charging at home, particularly on an overnight tariff, is usually significantly cheaper than filling a comparable petrol or diesel vehicle. Public rapid charging costs more but can still be competitive depending on fuel prices and your driving habits.
Home charging is almost always the most affordable option. Public chargers offer greater convenience when travelling but typically have a higher price per kWh.
Rapid chargers are ideal for long journeys or when you need to top up quickly. However, if you have access to home charging, using a cheaper overnight tariff for most of your charging is often the most cost-effective approach.
Yes, most electric vehicles can be charged using a standard domestic three-pin socket. However, charging is much slower than using a dedicated home wallbox, making it better suited to occasional use rather than everyday charging.
Charging from 20% to 80% is often the most efficient use of a public rapid charger because charging speeds naturally slow as the battery approaches full capacity. Stopping at 80% can save both time and money if you only need enough charge to reach your destination.
Usually, yes. Ultra-rapid chargers often have a higher price per kWh than slower public chargers. However, because they can add charge much more quickly, many drivers find the extra cost worthwhile when travelling long distances.
Charging at home overnight on a dedicated EV electricity tariff is generally the cheapest option. Planning journeys, using off-peak electricity and only using rapid chargers when necessary can all help keep running costs low.
Zapmap is one of the most popular apps in the UK, allowing drivers to locate charge points, compare charging speeds and view pricing where available. Many charging networks also have their own apps, while services like Octopus Electroverse provide access to multiple charging providers through a single account.
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