The cost of charging an electric car at a public charge point will depend on the network and the location of the charge points. Many local authorities offer a pay per session approach to on-street chargers. Occasionally they can be free to use if you have access to a network subscription.
Public charge point costs also vary depending on the power rating and whether it’s slow (lamppost charging), fast (Car parks) or Rapid (Motorway service stations).
Rapid charge points are typically found at motorway service stations and can also be free for certain drivers but are generally seen as one of the more expensive ways to charge. Because they offer a faster charge (drivers can typically charge an electric car to 80% in 20-40 mins) and greater convenience, they will come at a premium. Pod Point rapid chargers cost 65p/kWh at Lidl, which is about £16 for 30 minutes of charging (delivering about 90 miles of range).
Cost of charging electric cars at public stations
If you are a Tesla owner, then the Tesla Supercharger Network has points across the UK which are often free to use for older vehicles.Newer Tesla owners, who purchased their vehicle after January 1st 2017, may only receive a set number of free hours of charge.
Outside of the free allowance the Tesla network charges varying depending on location and time of day, with off-peak hours offering lower prices. You can identify the costs within the vehicle touchscreen or via a map service like Zap-Map.
Certain Model S and X vehicles ordered before November 2, 2018 receive 400 kWh (~1,000 miles) of Supercharger credits annually. You should consult the manufacturer if you are in doubt.
For non-Tesla owners, charging fees vary depending on the network you use. Registration, subscription and connection fees may apply. Take a look at Zap-Map or an overview of UK’s main EV charging networks.
Electric car charging cards
In addition to smartphone apps, radio frequency identification (RFID) electric car charging cards are provided by some of the major UK public charging networks, such as Polar, GeniePoint, Ecotricity, Shell Recharge and ChargeYourCar. To use public charging points, you’ll need to register with a membership scheme before use.
Zap-Map can help identify which charging schemes charging points belong to. There are alternative maps you can use too.
Did you know?
The UK government has announced that it will be “providing £500 million over the next five years to support the rollout of a fastcharging network for electric vehicles, ensuring that drivers will never be further than 30 miles from a rapid charging station.”
Cost of charging an electric car at home
Charging your electric car at home is the main charging option for most EV owners. It’s important to be on the best home energy tariff to keep this cost as low as possible because the cost of charging will be included in your normal electricity bill.
How much charging costs will depend on the amount of charging you do, the type of charger you have and also how much you use public charging.
The cost of installing a home charge point starts from around £949 with Pod Point. If you live in a flat or rental accommodation then you may be able to claim a £350 grant from the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) towards this cost.
Electricity tariff costs
Before you get an electric vehicle, you may want to think about how it will impact the cost of your home electricity bill. For instance, if you travel 8000 miles per year in your car, this might equate to around 2800 kWh of additional electricity on your yearly bill if 1 kWh equals 3.5 miles. Therefore it pays to look for the right energy tariff.
For example, you might want to look at off-peak prices, as many energy companies offer lower electricity prices at night when the demand on the grid is reduced and energy prices are cheaper. Another thing to consider is the number of off-peak hours available to charge your electric car. If for instance, you own a Tesla Model S with a 100 kWh battery, the charging time will be greater than a Renault Zoe with a 30 kWh battery. Therefore, you might want to look for a tariff which offers longer off-peak charging periods.
If you are contemplating buying an electric vehicle then here at Car Auction Buying Service, we’re to finding the very best deal for you by working with our extensive list of auction partners and trade contacts. To find out more or to enquire about buying your next vehicle from a nationwide or local auction, please give us a call on 07999 728009. Alternatively, you can fill out our online form.
