How Much Does It Cost to Charge an Electric Car?
Electric vehicles are here to stay. And as we get closer to the 2035 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel models, more drivers in the UK are making the switch to green transportation.
If you’re considering an electric car, a common question is “how much does it cost to charge an electric car?” This is an important element to consider! In the following post, we’re going to give you the low down, so you can make an informed decision.
Understanding the cost of charging an electric car
The cost of charging an electric car will vary depending on:
- The capacity of your car’s battery
- The type of charger you have available
- And your electricity tariff
In the UK, typical residential electricity rates range from 14p to 18p per kilowatt-hour (often abbreviated to kWh).
If you are using a public charging station, they can have vastly different rates. They are most often priced per kWh, or by the entirety of a charging session.
Residential charging or public charging?
Out of the two, residential charging is usually the most cost-effective option. A dedicated home charging station allows you to take advantage of off-peak electricity rates. While this is the go-to for many electric car owners, there are times where public charging stations might be needed.
Say for example, you are going on a long car journey. There’s a good chance that your battery capacity won’t hold out for the length of this journey. This is where public charging stations can come in handy! However, the rates of public charging are typically higher, so this is something you’ll need to keep in mind.
How to calculate the cost of charging your electric car
If you want to calculate potential costs of charging your electric car, you can use a simple formula:
Total cost = Charging power (kW) x Charging time (in hours) x Electricity rate (pence per kWh).
This allows you to get a good idea of the kind of money you’ll need to pay per charging session. Let’s say you have a 40-kWh battery and you’re looking to charge it from empty to full at home. If your electricity rate is 14 pence per kWh and your charger is 7kW, then you would come up with a calculation like this:
Total cost = 40 kWh x (40kw / 7 kW) x 15 pence/kWh = £32.29
This is a simple way to get an estimate of what you’ll need to pay to charge your car to full. However, you should keep in mind that charging speed, the time of day and your battery capacity can all alter the final costs.
Make the switch to electrical with SparkPro Electrical
How much does it cost to charge an electric car? The cost is always cheaper than filling your petrol or diesel vehicle!
If you’re looking to take your first steps into the world of electric cars, SparkPro Electrical is here to help.
We can supply and install a residential charging station that’s perfect for your vehicle. Contact us today to learn more about how we can make the switch simple for you.
