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How much does it cost to charge an electric car at home in the UK?

Brim's 7.4kW charger lets you power up at home for as little as 7p/kWh with smart tariffs: efficient, affordable, and built for UK drivers.

Sophie Weston, Marketing Manager · 2 min read

A Brim charger on a post beside a wooden fence, cable plugged in

Switching to an electric vehicle (EV) is not just a greener, more sustainable choice - it can also save you money in the long run. But how much does it actually cost to charge your EV at home in the UK?

Key takeaways

  • A full charge on a 7 kW home charger typically costs £12 to £13 at the average UK rate.
  • Off-peak EV tariffs bring that down to as little as 7p per kWh, or £2 to £4 for a full charge.
  • Set the cheap window in the MyBrim app and the charger starts when the rate drops.

The average

Average cost of home EV charging

Using a standard 7 kW home EV charger, such as Brim's 7.4 kWh charger, a full charge typically costs between £12 and £13. This is based on the average UK electricity rate - but your actual cost may vary depending on a few key factors. Let's break it down:

The factors

What affects the cost of charging your EV?

Electricity tariffs

Charging during the day at peak hours can cost more. Many UK energy providers offer off-peak EV charging tariffs, with rates as low as 7p per kWh.

Battery size

Larger EV batteries store more energy and take longer to charge. A 60 kWh battery will cost more to charge than a 40 kWh one, even at the same rate per kWh.

State of charge

Charging from 0% to 100% uses more energy and time than topping up from 30% or 50%. Frequent partial charges are more efficient and can extend battery life.

Weather conditions

Extreme cold or hot weather can affect charging efficiency. Cold temperatures in particular may slow down charging and increase energy use.

Smart charging

Save more with smart charging and the MyBrim app

Many EV drivers in the UK are now taking advantage of overnight EV charging using smart chargers and off-peak energy tariffs.

Using our user-friendly MyBrim app, set your charger to start during the lowest-cost window (e.g. 12am to 5am). With the right setup, you could be paying just £2 to £4 for a full charge!

The MyBrim app electricity screen, with off-peak and on-peak rates and the cheap hours set
The MyBrim app electricity screen, with off-peak and on-peak rates and the cheap hours set

In short

EV charging can be affordable

Charging your EV at home in the UK is not only convenient - it can also be highly cost-effective, especially when using a smart energy tariff and an efficient home charger.

Looking to install EV chargers on your site in the UK? Get in touch with Brim today and discover how our smart EV charging solutions can future-proof your site.