EV Charging Cost Calculator
To find out how much it would cost to charge your electric car with our EV cost calculator.
EV Charging Cost Calculator
How the calculator works
Just fill in a few quick details, and the calculator will estimate the cost of your charge:
- Price per kWh (£):
How much you pay for electricity, usually shown on your home energy bill. We’ve set a default at £0.34, but you can edit it if your rate is different (for example, if you have a cheaper night tariff). - Charging Rate (kW):
The speed of your charger. Home wallboxes are often 7 kW or 11 kW, while rapid public chargers can go from 22 kW all the way up to 200 kW. Faster chargers get the job done quicker, but the price per kWh often depends on where you’re charging. - Battery Capacity (kWh):
The total size of your EV’s battery — think of this like the size of your fuel tank. Common sizes are 40 kWh, 60 kWh, or 80 kWh, depending on your car. - Current Charge (%):
How full your battery is right now. - Desired Charge (%):
The level you’d like to charge up to. Maybe you just want a quick top-up to 80%, or maybe you want to go all the way to 100%.
Why charging cost matters
One of the big perks of driving electric is saving money on “fuel.” Charging at home is usually the cheapest option, especially if you can take advantage of off-peak electricity rates. Public rapid chargers cost more per kWh, but they save you time on long trips. Knowing the cost before you plug in helps you budget better and compare different charging options.
Example calculation
Let’s say you drive a car with a 60 kWh battery. Right now, it’s sitting at 20%, and you’d like to charge it up to 80%. You’re using a 7 kW home charger, and your electricity costs £0.34 per kWh.
Here’s the breakdown:
- Energy needed: 36 kWh
- Total cost: £12.24
So for just over twelve quid, you’ll add 60% worth of battery — enough for hundreds of miles of driving (depending on your car’s efficiency). Not bad, right?