Everything You Need to Know

EV Charging Guide

Q: Can I charge an electric car from a standard 3-pin plug?

Yes, you can charge from a standard 13A 3-pin socket using a granny charger, but it's slow (about 8 miles of range per hour) and should only be used as a backup. A dedicated home wallbox is 3-4x faster and much safer for regular use.

Q: How long does it take to fully charge an electric car?

It depends on the charger speed and battery size:• Home wallbox (7kW): 6-10 hours for a full charge• Public fast charger (22kW): 2-4 hours• Rapid charger (50kW): 30-60 minutes to 80%• Ultra-rapid (150kW+): 15-30 minutes to 80%

Q: What is the cheapest way to charge an electric car?

The cheapest way is home charging with an EV-specific tariff. Tariffs like Octopus Go offer rates as low as 7.5p/kWh during off-peak hours (usually midnight-5am), compared to 24p/kWh standard rate or 60-85p/kWh at public rapid chargers.

Q: Do I need a home charger or can I just use public charging?

You don't need a home charger, but it makes ownership much more convenient and cost-effective. Around 80% of EV charging happens at home. If you can't charge at home, consider workplace charging or whether there are convenient public chargers near you.

From home chargers to public networks, understand all your charging options, costs, and how to maximise savings.

Calculate Charging Costs View Charger Types

Understanding EV charging is essential for any prospective or current electric car owner. The good news is that charging is far more convenient than many people expect—most owners charge at home overnight, just like charging a phone, and rarely visit public chargers.

80%

of charging done at home

50,000+

UK public charge points

7.5p

cheapest per kWh rate

Types of EV Chargers

Understanding the different charging speeds and where you'll find them

Slow (3kW)

3-pin plug charging

~8 miles/hour of charge
20+ hours for full charge
Emergency/backup only

Recommended

Home (7kW)

Dedicated wallbox charger

~25 miles/hour of charge
6-10 hours for full charge
Cheapest per kWh cost

Fast (22kW)

Public AC chargers

~75 miles/hour of charge
2-4 hours for full charge
Car parks, workplaces

Rapid (50kW+)

DC fast chargers

100+ miles in 20-30 mins
10-80% in 30-45 mins
Motorway services

Home Charging

The most convenient and cost-effective way to charge your electric car

Why Home Charging is Best

Around 80% of EV charging happens at home, and it's easy to see why. Plug in when you get home, wake up to a full battery—it's as simple as charging your phone. Plus, it's by far the cheapest way to charge.

Home Charger Installation

A home wallbox charger (7kW) typically costs £800-£1,200 fully installed. This includes:

The charging unit itself
Professional installation by a certified electrician
Connection to your home's electrical supply
Any necessary upgrades to your consumer unit

Popular Home Charger Brands

Pod Point Solo

From £799 installed. Smart features, app control, 3-year warranty.

Ohme Home Pro

From £899 installed. Smart scheduling, works with Agile tariffs.

Easee One

From £899 installed. Compact design, load balancing, app control.

Tesla Wall Connector

From £450 + installation. Works with any EV, not just Tesla.

EV Electricity Tariffs

To maximise savings, consider switching to an EV-specific electricity tariff. These offer cheap off-peak rates (typically midnight to 5am) when you'll be charging:

Octopus Go: 7.5p/kWh off-peak vs 24p daytime
Octopus Intelligent Go: 7.5p/kWh, smart charging features
EDF GoElectric: Variable off-peak rates
OVO Charge Anytime: Smart tariff with auto-scheduling

With an EV tariff, you can charge for as little as 2p per mile—that's 10x cheaper than petrol!

OZEV Grant

The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) offers grants of up to £350 towards home charger installation for:

Homeowners in flats or rental properties
Landlords installing chargers for tenants
Properties with dedicated off-street parking

Note: The grant for homeowners in houses with dedicated parking ended in 2022, but many installer packages remain competitively priced.

Public Charging Networks

The UK has over 50,000 public charge points and growing rapidly

Major UK Charging Networks

BP Pulse

9,000+ chargers

Widespread network, subscription option for cheaper rates. 60-79p/kWh rapid.

Tesla Supercharger

1,000+ chargers

Now open to non-Tesla vehicles at most locations. 60-77p/kWh.

IONITY

Ultra-rapid

350kW chargers at motorway services. 69-85p/kWh (cheaper with subscription).

Gridserve Electric Highway

Motorway focus

High-power chargers at major routes. 64p/kWh, contactless payment.

Pod Point

Often free

Found at Tesco, Lidl, and other retailers. Many locations free to use.

Tips for Public Charging

Plan ahead: Use apps like Zap-Map or A Better Route Planner for long journeys
Check connector types: Ensure your car is compatible (CCS is most common)
Download multiple apps: Different networks require different apps
Look for contactless: New chargers must accept card payments
Charge to 80%: Rapid charging slows significantly after 80%

Charging Costs Comparison

Location	Cost/kWh	Cost/mile
Home (off-peak tariff)	7.5p	2.1p
Home (standard rate)	24p	6.9p
Workplace/Destination	0-40p	0-11p
Public Rapid (50kW)	60-70p	17-20p
Ultra-rapid (150kW+)	70-85p	20-24p

Charging FAQs

Common questions about charging electric vehicles

Can I charge an electric car from a standard 3-pin plug?

How long does it take to fully charge an electric car?

What is the cheapest way to charge an electric car?

Do I need a home charger or can I just use public charging?

Ready to Calculate Your Charging Costs?

Use our free calculator to see exactly how much you could save by switching to electric.

Calculate My Savings