EV charging costs in the UK vary enormously — from essentially free to more expensive per mile than petrol. Here's the full picture.
Home Charging
The cheapest way to charge, by far.
- Off-peak rate (Octopus Go, etc.): ~7–8p/kWh
- Standard domestic tariff: ~24–28p/kWh
- Cost per mile: roughly 1–3p per mile on a good EV
If you can charge at home on an off-peak tariff, your fuel cost drops to a tiny fraction of a petrol equivalent.
Public AC Charging (Car Parks, Hotels)
- Typical rate: 40–60p/kWh
- Some free charging still exists — at supermarkets, libraries, and older public charge points
- Cost per mile: roughly 8–12p per mile
Hotel charging is typically included in the room rate, or priced around cost — rarely a major additional expense.
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Public DC Rapid Charging (Motorway Services)
This is where it gets expensive.
- Gridserve: typically 70–85p/kWh
- BP Pulse rapid: similar range
- Tesla Supercharger: varies, around 65–80p/kWh for non-subscription
At 80p/kWh, a 50kWh battery charge costs £40 — comparable to a petrol fill for a small car. The advantage is speed, not economy.
The Verdict
For everyday driving with home charging, EVs are significantly cheaper than petrol. For road trips relying heavily on motorway rapid charging, the cost advantage shrinks.
Stays on Sento are labelled charging on-site, charging nearby or standard — confirm charging with the property or a live charging map such as Zapmap before you travel.
Related Reading
Ready to plan your next EV trip?
We're working on it. Here's where it stands.