If you own an electric vehicle or you’re thinking about making the switch, questions about charging have no doubt crossed your mind. And one that comes up a lot is whether it makes more sense to charge an EV at home, or using a public charge point.
In this blog post we’re going to explore home EV charging vs public charging to help you decide whether you should invest in an EV home charger, or just charge up publicly when you’re out and about.
The big picture: Why charging at home is gaining ground
Home charging is quickly increasing in popularity. Research suggests that in 2022 there were just over 500,000 home chargers in the UK. At the end of 2024 this number had grown to more than 1 million.
The reason for this is of course the increasing popularity of EVs themselves. In 2022 there were 664,000 electric vehicles on UK roads. Today that number is over 1.6 million. More than 250,000 new electric vehicles have already been sold in 2025 (at time of writing, August 2025), which is almost 22% of all new cars registered this year. And while EV sales continue to grow, so will installations of home chargers.
Is it cheaper to charge at home or publicly?
In short, charging your EV at home is considerably cheaper than using public chargers.
As of mid-2025, home electricity rates average about 25.7–30p per kWh, coming to around 8p per mile, based on a real-world efficiency of 3–4 miles/kWh. With EV-friendly tariffs or off-peak rates, home charging can cost even less – sometimes as little 5–7.5p per mile for the most efficient EVs.
By contrast public charging is more expensive. Slow/fast chargers on public networks average 52–53p per kWh – about 12–13p per mile – while rapid or ultra-rapid chargers average 73–80p per kWh – 16–17p per mile. Some networks, especially premium rapid chargers, can exceed 85p per kWh, costing over 25p per mile for less efficient models.
Example: Kia Niro EV
- Home charge = £15.68 / 6.7p per mile
- Rapid public charge = £32.12 / 13.7p per mile.
It’s estimated that home charging could save you £500–£1,000 per year compared to the cost of petrol, and £467 per year versus public charging.
What do you need for home charging?
To charge an EV at home in the UK, you need a few things:
- A dedicated home charge point: Most commonly a 7kW wallbox, which offers much faster and safer charging than a standard three-pin plug.
- Off-street parking: Having your own off-street parking definitely makes home charging easier, but it may still be possible to charge at home without. Potential solutions include charge arms and cable gullies.
- Smart charger compliance: All new home chargers must be ‘smart,’ able to schedule charging, track energy use, and use cheaper rates automatically.
- Adequate electrical capacity: Most homes support a 7kW charger, however faster 22kW chargers require a three-phase supply, which is rare and expensive to upgrade.
- Professional installation: Cost averages £800–£1,100, but grants for renters, flat owners and landlords may cover up to 75% (up to £350) of installation. Complicated installs (extra cabling, long trenching and upgrades) can add £200–£500 to the cost.
- Wi-Fi signal: Required for smart functions, like app control and tariff optimisation.
- OZEV-approved charger and installer: It’s worth noting that only certified devices and professionals qualify for grant funding.
What if you can’t charge at home?
As we’ve mentioned, if you don’t have a private driveway you might still be able to charge at home. However, if that’s not an option an electric car can still be worth it. Public chargers are becoming more widely available across the country and across the world, meaning you can charge up pretty conveniently in most places, though with likely higher charging costs than at home.
If you have a charge point at work that can be a great solution. And if this isn’t an option, it’s worth noting that public EV charging is still no more expensive than petrol, and often cheaper (when using slow or subsidised charge points). When you add to this the environmental benefits of EV ownership, it might be enough to persuade you to make the switch.
Public charging pros and cons
There are a number of pros and cons to public charging for EVs – let’s take a look at those that come up most:
Pros
- Widely available in cities and along major routes.
- Enables longer trips and supports drivers without home chargers.
- Rapid chargers can add significant range in 20–40 minutes.
- Contactless payment and app integration makes them even more convenient.
Cons
- Generally more expensive per mile than home charging.
- Availability can be inconsistent with queues or out-of-service charge points.
- Varying compatibility and reliability across networks.
- Longer charging times on slower public chargers.
What is the ‘Always Be Charging’ (ABC) strategy?
Instead of waiting for the battery to run low, EV drivers are advised to ‘Always Be Charging’. According to this approach you should top up your battery whenever the car is parked and it’s convenient – at home, work, or in public places.
This spreads out charging sessions, keeps the battery within optimal charge levels (20–80%) and avoids long wait times on rapid chargers. The idea behind ABC is that it reduces range anxiety and makes use of slower, cheaper chargers when you don’t need your vehicle.
It’s a practical approach but needs to be balanced with cost considerations (public vs home charging) and those around potential battery degradation (regularly charging to 100% can cause faster battery wear).
Home vs public charging: A quick comparison
| Home charging | Public charging | |
| Cost per mile | Typically 5–8p (with off-peak tariffs) | 12–25p depending on charger speed and network |
| Charging speed | Usually 7kW (overnight full charge) | Slow to ultra-rapid (20 minutes to hours) |
| Accessibility | Requires off-street parking or special solutions | Widely available in cities and major routes |
| Installation Cost | £800–£1,100 (grants may reduce cost) | No installation needed, pay per use |
| Convenience | Charge overnight, automatic scheduling | Must locate and use public points, possible queues |
| Upkeep & Reliability | Mostly reliable, home control | Variable reliability, occasional faults & busy times |
| Smart Features | Required (smart chargers enable tariff optimisation) | Varies by provider, often app-controlled |
| Battery Health | Easier to maintain optimal charge (20–80%) with smart controls | Frequent rapid charging can increase wear |
Ready to power up at home?
Have you come to a decision about home EV charging vs public charging? If you’d like to learn more about getting a home EV charger installed, we’d love to help. Request a quote here, or get in touch for a pressure-free chat with our friendly team.
FAQs: EV charging at home in the UK
Is EV charging at home better than public charging?
Charging at home is generally better for cost, convenience and control. Home charging is cheaper (about 5–8p per mile vs 12–25p per mile publicly), it allows overnight charging and uses smart chargers for scheduling.
Is it cheaper to charge at home or at a charging station?
Charging at home is significantly cheaper. A typical full home charge costs around £13 and delivers about 200 miles of range. Public charging costs can be double or more, with rapid chargers pricing at around 76–80p per kWh, costing £40+ for a similar range. Using home off-peak tariffs and EV-friendly plans can reduce costs even further.
Is it worth having an EV if you can’t charge at home?
Yes, it can still be worth it. Public charging infrastructure is growing, with many slow and subsidised chargers cheaper than petrol. Work chargers and public points enable practical EV use, though you may pay more and should plan your charging. Environmental benefits and increasing public charger availability make EVs a strong choice even without home charging.
What types of sockets are used for EV charging in the UK?
The most common is the Type 2 connector for slow and fast AC charging at home and public points. Rapid DC chargers use CCS or CHAdeMO connectors. Standard 3-pin plugs can be used only in emergencies at very slow speeds.
Is charging an EV at home safe?
Yes, home chargers are designed with safety features like overload protection, earth fault detection and smart controls. Professional installation is essential to ensure wiring compliance and safe operation.
How often do home chargers require servicing?
Generally, EV chargers require minimal servicing. Annual visual checks and making sure firmware updates are applied is usually enough. Faulty units should be repaired or replaced promptly.
Does installing a home charger add value to my property?
Yes, home EV chargers are increasingly seen as valuable additions, improving the appeal of properties to EV buyers or renters, especially as EV adoption rises.
What should I look for when choosing an installer?
Choose an installer certified by OZEV or similar UK schemes. They should have experience with EV charger installations, provide detailed quotes including any electrical upgrades, and help you claim grants where eligible.