Fed up with rising fuel costs? With the price of petrol and diesel always going up, it’s no wonder more and more people in the UK are looking for a cheaper, cleaner alternative. The good news is, electric vehicles (EVs) are a brilliant way to save money and reduce your carbon footprint.
But here’s the thing: while many drivers know EVs are cheaper to run, a huge number still don’t know just how big the savings can be, especially when it comes to electric vehicle charging.
A common misconception about electric car charging costs.
When we asked UK drivers about their knowledge of home electric vehicle charging costs, the results were a little surprising. A staggering number of people believed home charging was far more expensive than it actually is. Research we carried out revealed that only 4% of drivers knew they could fully charge an EV for less than the price of a coffee1. This shows a big gap in understanding.
It’s easy to see why. We’re used to paying a high price for fuel, and we see high prices at public rapid chargers, so it’s natural to assume home charging will be the same. But the data tells a different story. In fact, most people are likely overspending on their energy bills and, by not using a dedicated EV tariff, they're missing out on some of the cheapest electricity available.
A cost comparison: home charging vs. public charging.
So, let's get down to the numbers. The cost of electric car charging in the UK varies massively depending on where and when you charge. Home charging is almost always the cheapest option, particularly when you’re on a specialist tariff.
Charging method | Cost per kWh (in pounds) | Total estimated annual charging cost | Estimated cost per charge |
E.ON Next EV tariff (12am-6am) | 0.075 | £180.18 | £3.00 |
Standard home electricity rate | 0.263 | £633.01 | £10.54 |
Public charger | 0.652 | £1,561.56 | £26.00 |
Public rapid or ultra-rapid charger | 0.85 | £2,042.04 | £34.00 |
As you can see from the table, the difference is huge. A dedicated EV tariff like Next Drive offers a night-time rate that's a fraction of what you'd pay at a public charger. For example, the E.ON Next EV tariff is just £3 per charge (£180.18 annually) and costs £0.075 per kWh. This stands in stark contrast to relying on a public rapid or ultra-rapid charger, which costs £34.00 per charge (a staggering £2,042.04 annually) and is priced at 0.85p per kWh. Charging on a standard tariff is already much cheaper than public charging, but a specific EV tariff really shows the potential for incredible savings on your home electric vehicle charging.
What's the key takeaway? While public chargers are great for topping up on a long journey, relying on them for your day-to-day electric car charging in the UK would cost you a lot more in the long run. The real savings come from home charging, particularly overnight, when electricity demand is low.
The real-world savings on electric vehicle charging.
To make these savings feel a bit more real, we partnered with economist Dr Sofia Sanchez to analyse what different drivers could save by switching to an EV and using an EV tariff for their home charging. The findings were genuinely eye-opening and showed that the benefits of home electric vehicle charging go far beyond a few pounds here and there.
Dr Sanchez’s analysis3 looked at different driver types, comparing the total running costs of a petrol car with an equivalent EV over three years. The results were astounding:
The Salesperson: Driving 20,000 miles a year, this high-mileage driver could save over £6,449 in running costs over three years by switching to an EV.
The Commuter: Travelling 30,000 miles over three years, a regular commuter could save up to £3,224.
The School Runner: For parents doing school drop-offs, supermarket trips, and short commutes, the savings could be around £2,579 in three years.
The Retired Rural Driver: Even with lower mileage (6,500 miles a year), a retired driver could save more than £2,000 over three years.
These examples demonstrate the power of choosing the right electric vehicle charging solution. The savings are real and make EV ownership a smart financial decision for a wide range of people in the UK.
Benefits of home charging beyond the cost savings.
While saving money is a huge draw, there are other great benefits to home electric vehicle charging that make it the best option.
Convenience: There's nothing more convenient than waking up to a fully charged car every morning. You can simply plug in when you get home and let the car charge overnight. No more detours, waiting in queues, or searching for a free public charging point.
Control: With a smart home charger and an EV tariff, you have complete control over your charging schedule. You can set it to charge automatically during your cheapest off-peak hours, making sure you’re always getting the best price on your electricity.
The E.ON Next Drive tariff: your solution for cheap electric car charging.
So, how can you get these massive savings on electric vehicle charging? The answer is a dedicated EV tariff. The E.ON Next Drive tariff is specifically designed for electric car owners and offers a super-cheap overnight rate.
With E.ON Next Drive, you get a fixed, low rate of just 7.5p per kWh between midnight and 6 am. This long, six-hour off-peak window gives you plenty of time to fully charge your EV, even if you have a larger battery. This cheap rate isn't just for your car either, you can use it to run other appliances like your washing machine or dishwasher and save even more.
By switching to our Next Drive tariff, you're not just getting a great price for your home electric vehicle charging, you're also getting an honest, transparent tariff with no exit fees. We're committed to helping you on your journey to a greener, more affordable future.
Take your savings further with E.ON Next Drive Smart.
If you have a compatible EV and a smart home charger, you can take your savings on home electric vehicle charging to the next level with our E.ON Next Drive Smart tariff. This tariff builds on the standard EV tariff to offer even greater flexibility and control.
Instead of a fixed overnight window, E.ON Next Drive Smart uses smart technology to charge your car when it's cheapest for the grid. You simply tell the app when you need your car ready by, and the system intelligently schedules charging sessions to take advantage of the very lowest off-peak rates. This means your car is always ready when you are, and you're getting the best possible price. It's the ultimate 'set it and forget it' solution for smart EV charging.
By switching to our EV tariffs, you're not just getting a great price for your home electric vehicle charging, you're also getting an honest, transparent tariff with no exit fees. We're committed to helping you on your journey to a greener, more affordable future.
Take control of your electric car charging costs.
The bottom line is this: while the initial thought of electric car charging might seem expensive, the reality is that it’s a brilliant opportunity to save money. By shifting away from relying on expensive public charging and embracing a dedicated EV tariff for your home, you can unlock savings that put hundreds, or even thousands, of pounds back in your pocket.
Don't let the idea of high costs stop you from making the switch to an EV. With smart solutions like the Next Drive EV tariff or Next Drive Smart, the future of driving is not only cleaner and more convenient—it's also far more affordable.