EV charging
The cheapest way to charge an EV at home
Charger hardware matters far less than the tariff behind it. Getting that pair right is where we would start, and we will publish the arithmetic once it can be sourced.
Our verdict
For most drivers, a competent 7.4 kW smart charger on an EV time-of-use tariff is the whole answer. Spending more on hardware rarely improves running costs.
Prototype figures — illustrative, not sourced
The costs, savings and paybacks below are placeholders written to demonstrate the format. They are not drawn from market data and have not been independently reviewed. Do not use them to make a purchasing decision.
Typical charger cost
£800–£1,200
Illustrative example only — invented placeholder, not sourced
Saving vs single rate
£380–£740
Illustrative example only — invented placeholder, not sourced
Start with the tariff, not the hardware
The gap between a good overnight EV rate and a standard variable rate is the largest single lever on what a mile costs you. It is normally a far bigger number than the difference between the cheapest and most expensive charger on the market. We will publish that arithmetic with dated, sourced rates rather than assert it with invented ones.
What to actually look for in a charger
Once the tariff is right, hardware selection is about reliability and control rather than savings.
- Scheduling that works from the charger app and the tariff's own control
- A tethered cable if you have a driveway, untethered if the unit is street-facing
- Load balancing if your supply is shared or your consumer unit is near capacity
- Solar diversion only if you already have, or are about to install, an array
Common questions
Sources and evidence
- Status: Prototype content. No sourced dataset sits behind the figures on this page yet.
- Planned: tariff rates: Published domestic EV tariff rates, with the date they were read
- Planned: installation costs: Anonymised UK charger installation quotations, once collected
Read the full methodology for how these figures are produced and reviewed.