Home vs Public EV Charging: The Cost Breakdown

If you're driving an electric vehicle in the UK, or thinking about making the switch, you've probably wondered whether it's worth installing a home charger or if you're better off relying on public charging points. It's a question that comes up constantly, and honestly, the answer isn't always straightforward. The upfront cost of installing a home charger can feel like a lot, but those public charging fees add up faster than you might think.

Whether you're renting a parking space through Stashbee and wondering if you should look for one with charging facilities, or you're a space owner considering whether installing a charger might attract more renters, understanding the real costs makes all the difference. Let's break down the numbers.

What Does Home Charging Cost?

According to recent government data, charging at home costs around 8p per mile, while petrol or diesel vehicles cost between 13p and 17p per mile to fuel. That's a substantial saving on its own.

But let's get more specific. If you're on a standard electricity tariff, you're probably paying around 28.62p per kWh under Ofgem’s Autumn 2025 price cap at the moment. For a typical family EV with a 65kWh battery, that works out to roughly £14-21 for a full charge from empty, according to AutoHit's 2025 analysis. In practical terms, that's about 4-6p per mile for most efficient electric vehicles.

If you're charging overnight on a special EV tariff, those costs plummet. The government notes that some suppliers offer tariffs enabling drivers to charge at under 3p per mile, such as Octopus Energy’s “Intelligent Go” tariff at around 7.5p/kWh off‑peak. Pod Point found that the average cost to charge an electric car at home was £13 in October 2024, based on the average UK domestic rate of 24.5p per kWh. But savvy EV owners on time-of-use tariffs are doing significantly better than that.

The RAC's data from Spring 2025 shows that a driver fully charging a 64kWh battery at home pays a maximum of £17.52 based on Ofgem's capped rates for standard variable tariffs. However, as What Car? points out, drivers making use of dedicated EV tariffs could save as much as £600 per year compared to standard rates. Zap‑Map also notes that around 75–80% of UK EV drivers do most of their charging at home, reinforcing how cost‑effective it is in practice.

Public EV Charging

Now let's talk about what happens when you're out and about. Public charging is undeniably convenient. There are charging points at supermarkets, car parks, service stations, and increasingly just on regular streets. But that convenience comes at a price.

According to Zap-Map's Zap‑Map’s September 2025 Price Index, the weighted average pay-as-you-go price on the public network is 52p per kWh for slow/fast chargers and a whopping 76p per kWh for rapid and ultra-rapid chargers. At some motorway service locations, RAC data from August 2025 shows rates exceeding 80p per kWh. That translates to 15 pence per mile and 23 pence per mile respectively. Suddenly, you're paying more per mile than you would in a petrol car.

Let's put that in real terms. If you're charging that same 64kWh battery at a rapid public charger at 76p per kWh, you're looking at nearly £49 for a full charge. Compare that to the £13-17 you'd pay at home, and the difference is stark. Even the slower public chargers at 52p per kWh would cost you around £33 for a full charge.

This is why most EV owners do the bulk of their charging at home and only use public chargers when they're on longer journeys or caught short. It makes financial sense.

EV Installation Costs

Right, so home charging is clearly cheaper per charge. But what about the upfront cost of getting a charger installed? This is where people often hesitate.

According to The Electric Car Scheme, the average total cost for a standard 7kW home charger installation in 2025 is approximately £1,110. Most industry sources put the range somewhere between £800 and £1,500 for a complete installation of a 7kW smart charger, including the unit itself and labour. The Eco Experts notes that if you use an installer from the company selling the charging point, the cost tends to be fairly consistent across the UK.

Now, before you wince at that figure, there's some good news on the grant front, but also some bad news. The original Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) that helped homeowners by covering 75% of costs (up to £350) ended in March 2022, according to Carwow. For individual homeowners, there's currently no government grant available. However, if you live in a flat or rental property and have dedicated parking, you might qualify for the EV Chargepoint Grant, which can still cover up to 75% of installation costs (capped at £350).

If you're a space owner on Stashbee considering whether to install a charger to attract EV-driving renters, this is where the maths gets interesting. That £1,100 upfront investment could allow you to command a premium on your parking space rental. With EV ownership continuing to climb, there were over 1.61 million fully electric cars registered on UK roads as of July 2025, according to Uswitch.

Breaking Even: When Does Home Charging Pay Off?

Let's run some quick numbers. Say you drive about 10,000 miles a year (slightly below the UK average, but many EV owners do shorter daily commutes). At home charging rates of 5p per mile, that's £500 a year. Using public rapid chargers at 23p per mile? That's £2,300 annually, a difference of £1,800.

Even if you only did half your charging at home and used public chargers for the rest, you'd still save around £900 per year. Suddenly, that £1,100 installation cost pays for itself in well under two years if you're a regular driver. For drivers covering more than 7,000 miles annually, payback typically occurs within 18–24 months, according to RAC 2025 modelling.

Getting It Installed: What's Involved?

Installing a home charger isn't particularly complicated, but it does need to be done properly. You'll need a qualified electrician to assess your electrical setup and install the charging unit safely. Most installations are fairly straightforward if your fuse box is modern and in good condition, but occasionally there might be additional electrical work required, which can push costs up.

If you're looking to get a charger installed, using a reputable service makes the process smoother. Companies like ClickMechanic have recently expanded into EV charger installations, which is handy because they can coordinate everything from the initial assessment through to the final installation with vetted professionals. It takes the guesswork out of finding someone reliable.

For landlords or space owners on Stashbee, it's worth getting a proper survey done before committing. The installation location matters, the closer your parking space is to your electrical supply, the simpler and cheaper the installation will be. If extensive cable runs or additional electrical work are needed, costs can climb. Independent contractors typically charge between £200 and £500 for labour, according to Electric Car Guide, though more complex installations can go higher.

The Bigger Picture

If you have regular access to off-street parking, whether that's your own driveway, a rented space, or a property you're listing on Stashbee, installing a home charger is almost always going to make financial sense if you're driving an EV regularly. The savings versus public charging are just too significant to ignore.

For renters searching for parking spaces, it's worth factoring in whether a space has charging facilities, even if it costs a bit more per month. Run the numbers based on your driving habits, and you'll probably find the extra rent is offset by what you'll save on charging costs.

In regards to space owners, having a charger installed could make your space significantly more attractive. It's an investment, sure, but it's one that could pay dividends both in rental income and in adding value to your property.

The UK's charging infrastructure is improving all the time, with more public chargers appearing constantly. But when it comes down to the pure economics, there's still no beating the cost and convenience of charging at home.