Decoding home EV charging costs with Ohme: your go-to guide

Switching to an electric vehicle (EV) is a brilliant move for both your wallet and the planet. But one of the first questions on the minds of most EV drivers is: how much does it really cost to charge an electric car at home? In this guide, we’ll look at the factors that influence your home EV charging prices in the UK and, crucially, how you can leverage smart charging to find the cheapest way to charge your electric car at home.

How much does it cost to charge an electric car at home?

The simple answer to this is that it depends on your home electricity tariff and how much you pay per kWh.

• Your EV’s battery capacity (kilowatt-hours: kWh): Think of this as the “fuel tank” of your EV. A larger battery (e.g. 60kWh) holds more energy and typically offers a longer driving range, but it will also require more electricity to charge fully compared to a smaller battery (e.g., 40kWh).
• Your energy tariff (pence per kilowatt-hour: p/kWh): This is the price you pay your energy provider for each unit of electricity. As of May 2025, the average UK domestic electricity price sits around 27 pence per kWh. However, your actual rate can vary significantly based on your supplier, tariff type, and even the time of day you use energy.

So, for example:

• Say you own an EV with a 60kWh battery and your current electricity rate is 27p/kWh = 60kWh x 27p/kWh = £16.20.
• In this scenario, a complete charge from an empty battery would cost you roughly £16.20. 

It’s worth noting that the range you get from this charge will depend on your specific EV model and driving conditions. Let’s look at three example electric cars:

Comparing charging your EV at home vs a petrol or diesel car

Charging at home is typically significantly cheaper than filling up with petrol or diesel. When you factor in the potential of smart charging on a smart EV tariff, the savings become even more substantial.

Calculating your personal home EV charging costs

To get a clearer picture of your potential home EV charging prices, follow these steps:

• Identify your electricity tariff: Check your latest energy bill or online account to find your current electricity rate (in p/kWh). If you’re on a TOU or EV-specific tariff, note the different peak and off-peak rates.
• Know your EV’s battery capacity: This information is usually available in your car’s manual or online specifications.
• Use the basic formula: (Battery Capacity in kWh) x (Your Electricity Price in p/kWh) = Estimated Cost of a Full Charge (£)
• Consider your charging habits: Think about how often and how much you typically charge. Do you usually aim for a full charge or just top up?
• Explore EV tariffs: Research the time-of-use tariffs offered by different energy providers in the UK. Websites like MoneySavingExpert or Uswitch can be helpful resources for comparing tariffs.
• Leverage smart charging: Consider how a smart charger like the Ohme Home Pro or Ohme ePod can automate your charging during the cheapest periods offered by these tariffs, optimising your savings seamlessly. Find more about smart EV charging at home here.

How can I lower the costs of charging my electric car at home?

While the basic equation gives you a starting point, several factors can significantly impact your actual cost to charge your car at home:

• The power of your electricity tariff: This is where the biggest potential for savings lies, and it’s a key area where Ohme’s smart charging tech can help.
• Standard Variable Tariffs (SVT): These offer a single electricity rate throughout the day. While straightforward, they don’t provide opportunities for cost optimisation.
• Time-of-Use (TOU) tariffs & EV-specific tariffs: These tariffs offer different energy rates depending on the time of day. Typically, they provide much cheaper electricity during off-peak hours (often overnight when demand is lower). Many energy providers now offer specialised EV tariffs, such as Intelligent Octopus Go, with significantly cheaper overnight rates (sometimes as low as 7-10p/kWh!). By scheduling your charging to take advantage of these off-peak periods – a key feature of Ohme smart chargers – you can lower your energy bills.
• Fixed rate tariffs: These provide price stability but may not always be the most economical option for EV owners who can shift their charging to off-peak times.
• Charging habits: top-ups vs full charges: In reality, you won’t always be charging from empty. Regularly topping up your battery will cost proportionally less. 
• The tech packed in your home charger: This is where Ohme truly makes a difference. While any home charger will deliver electricity to your car, our smart EV chargers offer features designed to optimise each charging session while reducing ownership cost. 
• Tariff integration: Seamlessly integrates your charger to your energy tariff to unlock additional off-peak charging slots. 
• Real-time insights: The Ohme app provides clear visibility of your charging sessions, energy consumption, and associated costs, empowering you to understand and manage your spending.

Take control of your charging costs with Ohme

Understanding the cost to charge your electric car at home doesn’t have to be complicated. By considering your electricity tariff, your EV’s battery size, and, most importantly, by charging your car at home with an Ohme charger, you can significantly reduce your running costs and enjoy the full benefits of electric vehicle ownership. Explore our range of smart chargers here.