EV Charging Guide UK: Public, Home and Installation Costs

EV charging in winter: How range, costs and performance are affected

Cold winter weather can reduce both range and charging speed.

Many EV drivers will see a 10-30% reduction in real-world range when temperatures drop below 5°C. Older models may lose 20-30% as their thermal systems are less optimised for winter performance.

Can the weather impact your battery charge?

Yes, charging is slower when the battery is cold.

Battery chemistry works best around 20-25°C, with a slight reduction in range seen at around 10°C - and a larger drop when temperatures hit freezing.

Source: Osprey Charging

What is the best time of day to charge your EV to cut costs?

• If you can charge at home, the cheapest sessions are usually overnight off-peak hours on EV/time-of-use tariffs (exact windows vary by supplier). For example, Octopus Go advertises cheap electricity between 12:30am–5:30pm.
• Some drivers can benefit from ‘plunge pricing’ events on public charging when renewable generation is high and demand is low (availability depends on the service/app you use).

Winter charging and driving tips

• Pre-heat while plugged in where possible. (This warms the cabin using mains power, not the battery.)
• Charging power can be reduced when the battery is cold, and rapid sessions may not hit peak kW until the pack warms up or preconditions.
• When it’s colder, you can expect shorter real-world range, so plan your charging breaks accordingly.
• Aim to keep the battery charged between 20-80% where possible. Avoid letting it run flat and only charge to 100% before longer trips where you genuinely need the extra range.
• When driving in inclement weather, watch your speed, and avoid harsh braking where possible. This will help to keep you safe on the road - and make your charge go further.

Battery preconditioning

Power is reduced when the battery is cold, so it won’t hit the peak charging speed until it warms up.

Preconditioning (or thermal conditioning) warms (or cools) the battery to an optimal temperature while you drive to a charger, allowing it to accept faster charging. This is automatically carried out by your EV’s thermal management system.

What are the best EV winter tyres?

Tyre choice affects both grip and efficiency. In the colder months, using winter tyres can noticeably improve your EV’s safety, braking performance, and traction.

EVs usually weigh more than equivalent petrol or diesel models - and can experience longer braking distances due to their increased torque and lower rolling resistance. Therefore, using durable winter tyres can provide better handling and help you stay safe on the road.

When the weather gets slightly warmer, you can switch to EV-specific tyres that are designed to meet the performance needs of electric cars.

What tyres should I avoid for my EV?

Whilst it is perfectly legal to use standard tyres, this is not recommended as they can wear up to 30% faster when used with EVs.

Electricity price per kWh and EV running costs explained

Your electricity price per kWh is your unit rate (p/kWh) - and the key metric behind EV charging costs.

To estimate the cost of a full charge, you can use the following formula:

(Battery capacity in kWh) x (Energy price in p/kWh) ÷ 100 = Cost of full charge (£)

So, when people ask, “How much does it cost to run an electric car?” they usually mean pence per mile, which depends on:

• Your unit rate.
• Your EV’s efficiency (miles per kWh).

Charging at home, especially on an EV or time-of-use tariff, tends to be the cheapest option. This is because electricity for home charging is taxed at the standard domestic rate of 5% VAT, whereas public charging (a commercial service) attracts 20% VAT.

The UK’s EV charging ecosystem

Home charging

Home charging is the default option for many drivers because it’s convenient and affordable. However, it is not feasible for all EV owners, especially those who don’t have a driveway or private parking at their home.

A home wallbox is usually 7kW AC – and designed to refill range gradually overnight rather than in a single fast refuelling stop.

If you’re using off-peak or smart charging, you can schedule charging during cheaper hours. This is one way EV tariffs can materially reduce running costs.

Single-phase vs three-phase power

Most UK homes have a single-phase electricity supply, which limits practical home charging speeds to around 7kW. This is why 7kW wallboxes are the UK standard.

Some properties (including most commercial sites) have three-phase power, which can support 11kW or 22kW charging. However, three-phase supplies are rare in homes - and costly to install, which is why most domestic chargers never deliver 22kW, even if the wallbox is technically capable.

Workplace charging

Workplace charging is effectively ‘range topping’ while you park during the working day.

Most workplace chargers range from 7kW to 22kW AC (if three-phase power is available). They are useful for commuters, especially those without access to a home charge point.

In many cases, workplace chargers are free to use (or available at a nominal cost), allowing employees to save on their day-to-day EV running costs.

Types of public charging points for electric cars

Public charging points for electric cars sit across three common use cases:

• Destination chargers: Often found at shops, gyms, and hotels, usually offering 7kW to 50kW charging for stays up to a few hours.
• En-route chargers: Often found on A-roads, motorways, and at hubs, offering rapid/ultra-rapid DC charging for quick top-ups. Charging to 80% may take as little as 20 minutes. However, the cost per kilowatt hour is often higher due to the faster charging speed.
• On-street/near-home chargers: Available to EV owners without driveways in some residential areas, usually with a power rating of 3kW-7kW and designed for overnight charging, reaching 80% or above in 6-12 hours.

Charging networks and loyalty schemes

• Pod Point chargers at Tesco allow Clubcard members to collect one Clubcard point for every £1 spent on charging (when linked to the Pod Point app).
• Sainsbury’s Smart Charge also offers Nectar points; you can collect one point per £1 spent.

How long does EV charging take?

Here’s a quick formula for estimating EV charging time:

Battery size (kWh) ÷ Charger power (kW) = Charging time (hours)

However, it’s important to be aware that in real world conditions, charging speeds are often slower than the estimated figure, due to:

• The weather: Cold conditions can significantly affect charging speed.
• The ‘charging curve’: Speed varies, typically rising from 10-80% at a faster rate, then tapering off as the car nears full capacity.

The charging curve explained

When you plug in an EV with a low battery, it usually starts charging slowly. As the battery level rises, the charging speed increases until it reaches either the maximum power of the charger or the maximum rate your EV can accept, whichever is lower.

Then, as the battery gets closer to full capacity, the charging speed slows down again. This typically occurs at around 80% charge to protect the battery and extend its lifespan.

In short, an EV doesn’t charge at full speed the whole time. The rate depends on how full the battery is and the limitations of both the charger and the vehicle.

Power sharing (including ‘dual’ chargers)

At some public hubs, charging power can be shared across bays - and on some dual-outlet units, the available power may be split when a second vehicle plugs into the neighbouring connector.

The charging speeds of two vehicles using the same unit may vary, due to differences in power and battery level.

Little and often: Thinking practically about charging time

• Regularly charging to 100% can increase battery wear (especially on lithium-ion packs).
• Most manufacturers recommend keeping daily charging between 20–80%, unless the extra range is strictly required.

BEV charging times by battery and connector power

Source: Energy Saving Trust

Please note: Charge times are based on a 20% starting point. Power delivery is reduced above roughly 80%.

Charging speeds and charger types

EV chargers are grouped by how fast they deliver power, measured in kilowatts (kW):

Different types of EV connectors explained

1. Type 1

Older style AC connector.

• Mostly found on early EVs and Japanese imports (e.g. older Nissan Leafs) but phased out for later models.
• Supports slow to fast charging (typically up to 6kW).
• Being phased out in the UK.
• An adaptor can be used to make it compatible with Type 2.

2. Type 2

Standard AC connector across the UK and Europe.

• Used for slow and fast charging at home, work, and public charge points.
• Power range: 3 kW to 43 kW
• Used by most modern EVs in the UK for slow and fast AC charging.

3. Combined Charging System (CCS) combo type 1

DC rapid connector based on the Type 1 plug.

• Common in North America and parts of Asia but rarely seen in the UK.
• Supports high-power rapid charging (50 kW to 350 kW+).

4. CCS combo type 2

Main DC rapid charging standard in the UK and Europe.

• Combines a Type 2 AC port with extra DC pins.
• Power range: 50 kW up to 350 kW on ultra-rapid chargers.
• Commonly used by EVs in the UK for rapid DC charging.

5. CHAdeMO

Older DC rapid charging standard.

• Commonly used for older Japanese cars (e.g. Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVs).
• Typically up to 50 kW but some more powerful versions exist.
• Being phased out in favour of CCS.

6. UK 3-pin plug (BS 1363)

Standard UK household socket.

• Very slow AC charging (around 2-3 kW).
• Best for occasional or emergency use only.
• Long charge times (often 24 hours or more).
• Many modern EVs are no longer supplied with a three-pin domestic charging or ‘granny’ cable.

7. ‘Commando’ CEE plug

• Up to 6kW (AC).
• CEE plugs can also be connected to a charging cable via an adaptor to charge at up to 22 kW.
• More commonly used for caravan/camping hook-ups.

Tethered vs untethered wallboxes

• Tethered: Has a cable attached to allow for easy charging.
• Untethered: Comes with a socket only, meaning you need a separate cable.

Granny cable vs wallbox safety

A 3-pin ‘granny’ cable can be useful occasionally, but a dedicated wallbox is typically faster and designed for regular charging. Many guides recommend treating 3-pin charging as a backup rather than a primary solution.

Safety warning: Avoid plugging three-pin chargers into an extension lead.

Home EV charging: Installation costs, and requirements

Standard assumptions

• Domestic single-phase supply (typical UK home)
• Wall-mounted charger
• Up to 10m cable run
• No consumer unit replacement required
• OZEV-approved installer

EV charger installation cost comparison

Source: The Electric Car Scheme

Disclaimer: Prices shown are estimates only. The cost of EV charger installation may vary depending on factors such as the equipment cost, installer fees, your tax band, and employer scheme. To obtain an accurate quote, please contact an OVEZ-approved installer.