The Cheapest Ways to Charge an Electric Car in the UK in 2026

Running an electric car does not have to mean paying the same price every time you plug in.

Where you charge, when you charge and which electricity tariff you use can all affect what you spend and if you understand how it all works you can find the settings for cheapest way to charge electric car.

For many EV drivers, the simplest way to reduce charging costs is to make home charging the centre of the routine, then use cheaper charging periods where available and save fast public charging for when it is actually useful.

This guide looks at the different ways to charge an electric car more cheaply without turning the decision into a spreadsheet exercise.

What Is the Cheapest Way to Charge an Electric Car?

There is no single cheapest option for every driver.

However, for someone who has suitable parking at home, a common low-cost approach is:

Home charging + a suitable tariff + smart charging

That combination gives you more control over when and where your car charges.

The cheapest option can be different for someone who cannot charge at home, drives long distances every day or has access to workplace charging.

1. Charge at Home

For many EV drivers, home charging is the starting point.

Instead of paying a public charging network whenever the battery needs energy, you can charge while the car is already parked at home.

This can make charging easier to manage and gives you access to your household electricity tariff.

A home charger also makes overnight charging much more practical.

You arrive home, plug in and let the car charge while it is parked.

2. Use an Off-Peak EV Tariff

One of the biggest ways to reduce charging costs is to use a tariff with cheaper electricity during certain periods.

The exact structure varies by supplier.

Some tariffs offer a fixed overnight window.

Others use smart charging to choose cheaper periods automatically.

This is where the difference between “cheap charging” and “choosing the right tariff” matters.

This article covers the ways to reduce charging costs.

For detailed tariff comparisons, see The Best Off-Peak Tariffs for EV Charging.

3. Let Smart Charging Choose the Time

Smart charging can remove some of the work involved in using cheaper electricity periods.

Instead of remembering to plug in at a particular time, you set when you need the car ready and allow the smart-charging system to schedule the session around the tariff.

For example, OVO's current Charge Anytime service allows eligible customers to set a ready-by time while its smart-charging system manages when the vehicle charges. OVO currently states that its pay-as-you-go Charge Anytime rate is 14p/kWh, with eligibility requirements including a compatible EV or charger and a smart meter.

The exact tariff conditions matter, so always check the supplier's current terms.

4. Charge at Work

Workplace charging can be another useful option where an employer provides EV charging.

The value depends on the workplace's charging arrangement and any fee the employer applies.

It can be particularly useful for drivers who spend several hours at work and can top up during the day rather than making a separate public charging stop.

You should always check the workplace charging policy before assuming it is free or cheaper.

5. Use Public Charging Strategically

Public charging is part of normal EV ownership, especially on longer journeys.

But you do not need to rely on it for every charge.

A practical strategy is to use:

Home charging for routine driving

Public charging for journeys and top-ups away from home

This can reduce your dependence on public rapid chargers while still giving you the flexibility to travel without worrying about range.

6. Avoid Using Rapid Charging When You Don't Need It

Rapid charging is useful when time matters.

It can be exactly what you want on a motorway journey when you need to get back on the road quickly.

It is not necessarily the charging method you need for an ordinary overnight top-up.

The cheapest charging method depends on context, so it makes sense to match the charger to the situation rather than treating every charge as the same.

7. Compare the Tariff, Not Just the Charger

It is easy to focus on the charger and forget the electricity behind it.

A home charger does not have one fixed electricity cost.

Your tariff determines the price you pay for the energy.

That means two households with similar chargers can have different charging costs because they use different tariffs.

A suitable EV tariff can therefore be worth considering alongside the charger itself.

8. Make More of Off-Peak Hours

Off-peak charging only helps when you actually use the cheaper period.

Some tariffs provide a fixed overnight window.

For example, EDF currently offers seven hours of lower-rate electricity for its EV tariffs, from 11pm to 6am, while its GoElectric tariff currently advertises 6.99p/kWh during that period.

The exact rate and tariff availability can change, so the supplier's current offer should always be checked before switching.

9. If You Have Solar, Use Your Own Generation Carefully

Drivers with solar panels have another potential way to reduce grid electricity use.

Charging during periods of solar generation can allow some of the vehicle's electricity demand to be supplied by energy generated at home.

The economics depend on your solar system, household demand, battery storage, export arrangements and how much electricity your EV needs.

This is a useful consideration, but it should not be treated as automatically the cheapest option for every solar-equipped home.

10. Choose the Right Home Charging Routine

Cheaper charging is often less about constantly chasing the lowest advertised number and more about building a routine that works.

For example:

Arrive home → plug in → smart schedule → car ready the next morning

That can be easier and more sustainable than manually checking electricity prices every evening.

Home Charging vs Public Charging

The important distinction is not that public charging is “bad”.

It serves a different purpose.

Home charging

Best suited to:

• Regular everyday charging

• Overnight charging

• Drivers with suitable private parking

• Using a household EV tariff

• Scheduled smart charging

Public charging

Best suited to:

• Long-distance trips

• Drivers without home charging

• Quick top-ups

• Motorway journeys

• Situations where charging at home is not practical

For a full comparison, see Home EV Charging vs Public Charging: Which Is Better?

What Is the Best Way to Keep EV Charging Costs Down?

For many drivers, the answer is to stack several small advantages rather than rely on one.

A sensible routine could be:

Charge mainly at home.

Use a suitable off-peak or EV tariff.

Let smart charging schedule the vehicle where possible.

Use workplace charging when it makes sense.

Keep public rapid charging for journeys where speed matters.

That approach focuses on the way you actually use the car rather than trying to find one universally cheapest charger.

Does a Home EV Charger Make Charging Cheaper?

A home charger does not automatically make electricity cheaper.

What it does is make home charging more practical.

That gives you access to your household electricity tariff and, where your tariff supports it, cheaper charging periods.

The actual saving comes from the price of the electricity and the way you use the charger.

For the actual charging-cost calculation, see How Much Does It Cost to Charge an EV in the UK?

How Do EV Tariffs Help Reduce Charging Costs?

An EV tariff can offer cheaper electricity at selected times or use smart charging to move your EV demand into lower-cost periods.

Some tariffs are straightforward overnight tariffs.

Others are more flexible and use smart technology to decide when charging should happen.

The important thing is to compare:

• Off-peak rate

• Off-peak hours

• Daytime rate

• Standing charge

• Contract length

• Exit fees

• Smart-meter requirements

• Compatible EV or charger requirements

• Any membership or monthly fees

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to charge an electric car in the UK?

For many drivers who have suitable private parking, charging at home using a competitive EV or off-peak tariff can be one of the more economical approaches. The right option depends on your tariff, vehicle and charging routine.

Is it cheaper to charge an EV at night?

It can be when your electricity tariff has a cheaper overnight rate. The saving comes from the tariff rather than simply charging at night.

Is home EV charging cheaper than public charging?

It can be, particularly when home charging is paired with a suitable tariff. Public charging prices vary between networks and charger types.

Is workplace EV charging cheaper?

It can be, depending on the workplace's charging arrangement and whether a fee is charged.

Are rapid chargers more expensive?

They can be more expensive per kWh than some slower charging options, but they provide speed when travelling. The price depends on the network and charger.

Can smart charging reduce EV charging costs?

It can help when your tariff offers cheaper charging periods. Smart charging can automatically schedule the vehicle for those periods.

Is an off-peak tariff worth it for an EV?

It can be worthwhile for drivers who can shift a meaningful amount of EV charging into the cheaper period. Compare the tariff's full structure rather than looking only at the headline night rate.

Can solar power charge an electric car?

Yes. Solar-generated electricity can be used to charge an EV, although how much benefit you get depends on solar generation, household usage, storage and your electricity arrangements.

Final Thoughts

The cheapest way to charge an electric car is rarely about finding one magical charger or one headline rate.

It is about where you charge, when you charge and what you pay for electricity.

For many UK drivers, home charging provides the foundation. A suitable EV tariff and smart charging can then make that routine cheaper, while workplace and public charging give you useful alternatives when needed.

The best charging setup is therefore the one that fits your normal driving pattern rather than the one with the lowest number on an advert.