The cheapest way to charge an electric car is usually at home overnight using off-peak electricity, especially with a dedicated charger, or even better, charging with your own rooftop solar power during the day for near-zero cost. Free public chargers at workplaces or shops are also extremely cheap, while time-of-use electricity tariffs and EV-specific energy plans further cut costs compared to standard rates or public fast chargers.
Overall, EVs are more affordable to drive than petrol cars. But you can make the most of the technology by charging smartly. Charging at home on solar or off-peak electricity offers the best value by far.
Heat and Air Conditioning
Controlling the cabin and battery temperature is the biggest power drain second to driving the vehicle.
Some offer free EV charging, while others may charge a fee. If you come across an Aldi EV charge point that doesn't offer free charging, the Aldi electric car charging costs start from approximately 44p/kWh at Pod Point 7kW chargers and 59p/kWh for 7kW Shell chargers.
The average price of electricity per KWh (as of January 2023) is 34p, while the average power of a three-pin plug in the wall is from 2-3.5kW. If you round that average power to 3kW to make our calculations a bit smoother, you can expect it to cost around £12 to charge an 80kW Renault Zoe for 14 hours.
Can I get a free EV charger at home? Most people will have to pay to install an electric vehicle charger at their home. Some carmakers offer a free EV charger and installation as an offer with the purchase or lease of new cars, but this is becoming increasingly rare.
In fact, Tesco decided to implement a fee for customers using all Tesco car chargers, regardless of the kW rating. Unfortunately, this means that in 2025, Tesco electric car charging is no longer free, with costs starting from 44p per kWh, up to 69p per kWh.
The 80/20 rule for EV charging is a guideline to charge daily between 20% and 80% for optimal lithium-ion battery health, extending lifespan by reducing stress from extreme highs (100%) and lows (0%). Charge to 100% only for long trips, and avoid deep discharges below 20% for regular use, though modern EVs handle occasional 100% charges safely.
Whilst lithium ion batteries do lose charge when the car is parked for an extended period, the good news is that this is usually a very minimal amount of the overall charge. Most electric cars can expect to lose only lose a few percent of their charge a month if sitting idle.
Rowan Atkinson, a self-proclaimed car enthusiast and early EV adopter, wrote a 2023 Guardian op-ed feeling "duped" by EV claims, arguing they aren't the environmental panacea they seem due to battery production pollution and ethical concerns over mining, suggesting keeping petrol cars longer might be better and calling EVs "soulless" despite their performance. His piece sparked criticism, with some blaming it for slowing UK EV adoption, while others defended his reasonable points about EV lifecycle impacts.
As EVs get older, the batteries progressively degrade. It is expected that at around 75% of the battery's original capacity, it has reached the end of its life in an EV. In reality what this means is that if the car was sold with 400 km driving range, at the end of its useful life it could be down to around 300 km.
Fully qualified and registered electricians can install domestic and commercial EV chargers. In order to install a charge point, you'll need to know up-to-date BS7671 wiring regulations in order to properly inspect and test your installation for customer usage.
You should not charge your EV to 100% regularly. For daily driving, it's best to keep your battery between 20% and 80% to protect battery health and extend its lifespan.
Lidl charging network costs
£0.55/kWh through the third-party community website. Rapid devices: £0.62/kWh with Lidl Plus. £0.75/kWh through the third-party community website.
Installing a 240V outlet is one of the most efficient ways to charge your Tesla. The cost of installation varies depending on a number of factors, but typically ranges from $300 to $1,000 (this can be higher if you need to upgrade your electrical system).
The Top 10 Least Expensive New 2025 EVs In The US:
Tip #2: Don't let the battery run flat
It probably comes as no surprise that letting your charge drain to 0% can be damaging to the battery. In fact, it's best not to let the battery discharge below 20% really (known as deep discharging). But also…
Speed. Generally, the more power the USB port provides, the faster the charge. So, if you need to charge your device quickly, choose a charging station with high-speed ports (2.4A or 5A).
The cheapest EVs available right now (late 2025/early 2026) include the BYD Atto 1, starting around $25,000 AUD, followed closely by the MG4, BYD Dolphin, and GWM Ora, offering entry-level options under $40,000 for mainstream small cars, with future models like the Geely EX2 promising even lower prices, making EVs competitive with petrol cars in some markets.
Yes, some EV charging stations are free, often slower Level 2 AC chargers found at businesses or public spots, while many others, especially faster DC chargers, require payment per kWh or hour, with costs varying by network, location, and membership, so checking apps like Plugshare is essential. Some cars or memberships offer free charging as incentives, but generally, expect to pay for public fast charging, though free options exist, especially at places like some retail centers or for specific car owners.
Applegreen Electric charging network costs
Cost to charge: 64p-79p per kWh across rapid and ultra-rapid devices.
Home charging vs public charging
Getting your own charger installed at home is more convenient and it also works out quite a bit cheaper in the long run. In fact, charging an electric car at home is less than half the price of using public charging stations – and both are cheaper than filling up with petrol.