Cluster 02
Charging costs and tariffs
The gap between the cheapest and dearest way to fill the same battery is roughly a factor of ten. This cluster puts real pence-per-kWh figures on every option: the price cap, dedicated EV tariffs, solar, and the public network you are trying to avoid.
Start here
- Cornerstone guide
What is the cheapest way to charge an electric car at home?
Six hours of cheap overnight electricity is the biggest running-cost lever an EV owner controls, and right now it is worth about £400 a year.
Go deeper
- Guide
Can you charge an electric car with solar panels?
Yes, but should you? With export paying 12p and overnight import costing 8p, solar-to-car is often the worst use of your panels. The maths.
- Interactive tool
EV charging cost calculator
Work out your cost per charge, per mile and per year on your own tariff, with July 2026 rates preloaded.