How much does it cost to charge an electric car?

Besides the environmental benefits, a big appeal of driving an electric or hybrid car is the reduced running costs. And that includes the savings you could make by replacing regular top-ups at filling stations with electric charging.

This page tells you about charging methods you could use and helps you calculate your fuel costs. Jump in and find out how much you could save.

Your charging options

Charging at home

If you’re able to install a wallbox charging point in your driveway or garage, it’s the most convenient and economical way to charge. This is especially so as you’re most likely to charge overnight – giving you a ‘full tank’ each morning. Depending on your car and needs, there is a range of wallbox chargers available, and fitting is usually included in the price.

Charging at work

As more and more people switch to electric cars, more employers are making charging available to their staff. If you’re in this fortunate situation, then the even better news is that there is no requirement for this to be classed as a benefit in kind, so there are no tax implications to worry about.

Charging at public locations

The good news is that public charging infrastructure is growing all the time. To pay for charging when you’re out and about, you can create accounts with various providers or simply pay at the charging point. With an account, you can pay by app or card and, for a fee, some providers offer a subscription that gives you a cheaper per kWh rate or monthly bill.

Rapid charging

Rapid or superfast charging uses direct current (DC), meaning most electric vehicles can be charged from 10% to 80% in less than an hour†. The all-electric Elroq and Enyaq, for example, can both charge from 10% to 80% in as little as 28 minutes†. DC points are more likely to be found in service stations and on motorway networks.

Say goodbye to range anxiety

Introducing the New All-Electric Elroq

The Elroq is Škoda’s thrilling new compact all-electric SUV. Ideal for every adventure, the Elroq offers a Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Procedure range of a whopping 360 miles. It also fast charges from 10% to 80% in 28 minutes†.

Offers and incentives

As part of the push towards transitioning to an electric future, there is a range of government grants and incentives. See if you could benefit from one of these moneysaving initiatives by following the link below.

Find out more

Free miles with Škoda and OVO Energy

We’ve partnered with OVO Energy to offer 10,000 free miles to new customers who make the switch to a dual fuel home energy supply.

OVO Energy offer

Please note

* The indicative petrol costs are based on the average fuel consumption in the UK (source: acfoundation.org, motoring-faqs, 2022) and an average unleaded petrol price of 145.69p per litre (source: Government Statistical Data, Oil and petroleum products weekly statistics, Dec 2021).

** The indicative electricity costs are based on an average domestic electricity cost of 18.9p per kWh (source: Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Average Cost of Electricity per kWh in the UK 2022. Individual electricity tariffs vary – please consult your electricity supplier.

OVO Energy offer T&Cs

± Offer open to new or existing customers of OVO Energy who: (1) are UK residents, excluding Northern Ireland, 18+ (2) purchase a brand new fully electric vehicle from any VWG brand dealership between 01/07/2024 and 31/12/2024 (3) and activate OVO Energy's 'Charge Anytime'. To activate 'Charge Anytime', you will need a compatible EV charger or electric vehicle (for a list of compatible chargers and vehicles please see here.) T&Cs apply to OVO Energy's 'Charge Anytime', see here. New vehicles only. Offer subject to availability. Offer valid on orders placed from 1st July 2024 and cannot be claimed retrospectively. Customer will receive £212.12 credit on their OVO Energy account within 60 days of Charge Anytime sign up. For each year you remain on Charge Anytime on the anniversary of you joining Charge Anytime you will also receive a £21.21 credit equal to 1,000 free miles. This will be paid to you each year for a maximum of 3 years. 10,000 and 1,000 mile calculations based on an average efficiency, weighted in line with brand Electric Vehicle volumes, of 3.3 mile per kWh across the Volkswagen Group model range (for all brands). Since this is an average, the efficiency of individual models may be less, which would mean you receive fewer than the maximum 10,000 and 1,000 free miles. The efficiency figure is also based on standardised test data after the battery had been fully charged (to 100%) and may not reflect real world driving. Actual efficiency differs depending on multiple variables, including your selected vehicle and configuration, accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles, route conditions, speed, vehicle age, battery age and temperature and vehicle load. The actual number of free miles you receive may be less than the maximum 10,000 and 1,000 miles this will depend on the actual efficiency of your selected EV in the real world. Offer is for an estimated number of free miles calculated on the basis of the costs to the customer when they 'smart charge' using 'Charge Anytime'. Electric vehicles require mains electricity for charging. For the latest information, including official WLTP range and power consumption data for your selected vehicle, please visit here.

Open to new or existing customers of OVO Energy who are GB residents, 18+. Excludes Northern Ireland. Offer enables non-EV drivers to "bank" free miles on a monthly basis, which they can then redeem at a later date if they go on to purchase a qualifying electric vehicle. To participate, you must (1) download the OVO App (compatible smartphone required) and (2) activate OVO Energy's OVO Beyond and EV Saver Offer. You can then bank miles through the OVO App. All customers will be able to bank up to 100 miles per month under the EV Saver Offer for a maximum of 24 months (i.e. up to a total of 2,400 free miles). Customers who purchase a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle fully electric vehicle by 31/12/2024 will be awarded up to an additional 50 miles for every 100 miles banked through the EV Saver Offer. Your banked mileage will be shown on the EV Saver in the OVO App. Your banked mileage and the additional miles awarded will be redeemed as a monetary credit to your Charge Anytime account, within 90 days of activating Charge Anytime, when you purchase a qualifying electric vehicle and activate Charge Anytime. Credit can be used to charge your vehicle providing "free miles" of range. The credit must be used within 3 years from the end of the 24 month accrual period. Once expired, the banked mileage and the additional miles awarded will be lost. To activate 'Charge Anytime', you will need a compatible EV charger or electric vehicle (for a list of compatible chargers and vehicles please see here). T&Cs apply to OVO Energy's ‘Beyond EV Saver’ (see here) and 'Charge Anytime' (see here). New vehicles only. Not available for business purposes. Offer subject to availability. Offer valid on order placed after 01/07/24 and cannot be claimed retrospectively. Mileage calculation based on average efficiency, weighted in line with brand market share, of 3.3kWh/mile across the Volkswagen Group model range for all brands. Since this is an average, the efficiency of individual models may be less, which would mean you receive fewer than the maximum free mileage. The efficiency figure is also based on standardised test data after the battery had been fully charged (to 100%) and may not reflect real world driving. Actual efficiency differs depending on multiple variables, including your selected vehicle and configuration, accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles, route conditions, speed, vehicle age, battery age and temperature and vehicle load. The actual number of free miles you receive may be less than the maximum stated miles and will depend on the actual efficiency of your selected vehicle in the real world. Offer is for an estimated number of free miles calculated on the basis of the costs to the customer when they 'smart charge' using 'Charge Anytime'. Electric vehicles require mains electricity for charging. For the latest information, including official WLTP range and power consumption data for your selected vehicle, please view the vehicle specification pages on our website. For full T&Cs, please see www.ovoenergy.com/terms/vwg-ev-saver

^† Charging times will depend on various factors, including temperature, state of the battery, state of and capabilities of the charging unit and power supply. Actual charging time will vary depending on the level of charge in the battery, as well as environmental conditions. Charging times will also be affected by the charging curve for example once charging passes 80%, charging will slow to protect the battery’s longevity.

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Charging an electric car: your options