How Much Does It Cost to Charge Your EV at Public Stations in the UK?

From slow chargers at the supermarket to ultra-rapid on the motorway, the differences are huge and often confusing.

This guide cuts through the noise and lays out the real cost of charging your EV in the UK in 2025 - with practical tips to keep more money in your pocket.

Let’s dive in…

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Public EV Charger Comparison

*Charge times assume topping up a ~60kWh EV from 10–80%. Real times depend on the car’s charging capability, battery state of charge, and whether the charger shares power.

Average Costs in 2025

Time for the bit everyone cares about: money.

According to Zapmap’s August 2025 Price Index, here’s what you’ll pay on a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) basis:

• Slow/Fast (3–49kW): ~51–52p per kWh → about 15p per mile (based on 3.5 miles/kWh efficiency).

• Rapid/Ultra-rapid (50kW+): ~76p per kWh → around 23p per mile.

To make it real, here’s what a 100-mile top-up looks like across three popular EVs (charging from 10–80%):

⚠️ Real-world costs may be 5–15% higher due to charging losses and tapering, especially at high state of charge.

Public Charging vs Home Charging

Here’s the bottom line: public charging is handy, but it comes at a premium.

Think of it like grabbing a takeaway coffee every day instead of brewing a pot at home - convenient, but it adds up fast.

Home vs Public Charging Costs (100-mile top-up, 2025)

💡 That’s a 7–10× saving at home vs rapid public charging.

*Off-peak ~8–10p/kWh is possible on specialist EV tariffs (e.g. Octopus Go). Standard domestic rates are closer to 25–30p/kWh, so check your tariff.

Memberships & Subscriptions

Public charging isn’t always daylight robbery - if you play it smart.

Some networks offer memberships or subscriptions that knock a few pence off every kWh. Worth it if you’re loyal to one brand, less so if you like to mix and match.

• BP Pulse - Subscription option drops rapid charging by up to 20%. A no-brainer if you’re often near their stations.

• InstaVolt - No subscription, flat 87p/kWh. Easy, but pricey – best kept for emergencies or one-offs.

• Pod Point - Widely found at supermarkets. Free slow charging still pops up at places like Tesco, though it’s hit and miss.

• Shell Recharge: Subscriptions trim 10–15% off rapid/ultra-rapid rates, handy for frequent motorway users.

• Tesla Superchargers: Now open to non-Tesla drivers. Members get daytime rates from 53p/kWh, non-members pay more.

👉 Subscriptions can save you a tenner or two a month, but only if you stick to one network. Always check the fine print before signing up.

Can You Charge Your EV for Free?

Yes - but manage your expectations. Free charging is still around in 2025, usually at:

• Supermarkets like Lidl, Tesco, and Sainsbury’s (mostly slow chargers).

• Workplaces with staff perks or sustainability schemes.

• Some local councils offering free lamp-post or car park charging.

The catch?

Free chargers are often slower, limited in number, and usually busy.

Great for a cheeky top-up while you shop, but not something to rely on for your main charge.

Tips to Keep Public Charging Costs Down

Want to avoid getting fleeced? Here are some pro tips to keep your EV charging tariffs in check:

• Use Apps Like Zapmap or Octopus Electroverse - These apps are your best mates for finding chargers, checking real-time availability, and comparing prices. Zapmap’s Price Index is gold for spotting cheaper networks like Believ or Fastned.

• Plan Your Routes - Avoid last-minute panic stops at pricey motorway chargers. Map out cheaper slow or fast chargers at your destination instead.

• Combine with Home Charging - Get a smart home charger and use off-peak tariffs (as low as 7p/kWh). Public charging should be your backup, not your go-to.

• Hunt for Deals - Some networks offer introductory rates or partner discounts (e.g., Sainsbury’s Smart Charge at 72p/kWh). Keep an eye out for promotions.

• Charge Smart - Only charge to 80% on rapid/ultra-rapid chargers to save time and money, as charging slows down past that point.

Are EVs Still Cheaper than Petrol?

Let’s cut through the fuzz: yes - in 2025, EVs are still cheaper to run than petrol cars, assuming you charge mostly at home.

Here’s a side-by-side cost check for 100 miles, based on facts + freshest data:

What We Know

• The average petrol price in the UK is about £1.34-£1.35 per litre.

• Zapmap’s latest (Aug 2025) price index shows public charging PAYG (no membership) is around 51p/kWh for slow/fast chargers and 76p/kWh for rapid/ultra-rapid.

• Home charging off-peak rates can be much lower (some EV-friendly tariffs drop to ~8-10p/kWh during off-peak).

Cost Comparison (100 Miles)

Using a petrol car with 40 mpg, and petrol at £1.35 per litre:

• Petrol Car: 100 miles ÷ 40 mpg = 2.5 gallons ≈ 11.37 litres.

= 11.37 L × £1.35 = £15.35.

Now for EVs:

*Assumes similar battery efficiency (~3.5-3.8 miles per kWh). These are estimates.

What That Means in Practice

• If you charge at home 80% of the time (quite common), your costs are massively lower vs petrol. Huge savings over a year.

• Petrol at ~£15.35 per 100 miles vs EV home charging at ~£3 means you’re saving £12+ every 100 miles. Over, say, 10,000 miles a year, that’s around £1,200+ saved just on charging/fuel.

• Public rapid charging can cost more per 100 miles than petrol, so those one-off trips will sting. But you don’t do every trip on rapid chargers.

• Also, maintenance savings matter: fewer moving parts, no oil changes, less frequent servicing. Government reports suggest many drivers save £600-£700 a year on total running costs (fuel + maintenance) when switching to EVs.

Conclusion

Public EV charging in the UK isn’t a bargain-bin version of petrol - and it’s not meant to be. It’s there for convenience: a quick boost when you’re out and about.

The real savings happen at home, where a smart charger on an off-peak tariff makes running an EV cheaper than a Friday night pint round.

Zapmap’s 2025 data shows prices for public charging have nudged down (-9% for slow/fast, -5% for rapid/ultra-rapid), which is a step in the right direction.

But let’s be real: you won’t build an affordable EV lifestyle by living on public chargers. Plan ahead, use the right apps, and lean on home charging for the heavy lifting.

💡 Want to slash your charging costs?

A smart home EV charger is the answer.

With Heatable, you’ll get a fixed-price quote, no hassle, no hidden fees – and you can even claim up to £350 off with the government’s OZEV grant.

Next Steps For Your EV Charger Journey:

When planning to install an EV charger for your home, there are several important factors to consider. Make sure to refer to the following guides to help you make informed decisions:

• Ultimate guide to electric car charging.

• How many kWhs does it take to charge a car?

• OZEV grant for EV car chargers.

• How much does it cost to charge an electric car?

• EV Charge Range

• Best EV chargers

To dive deeper into these topics, head over to our advice section or check out our YouTube channel for informative videos.

Looking for the best deal on a new EV Charger?

If you’re aiming to get the best deal on a new EV charger, consider getting a quote from us. Here’s why:

• Installation within 24 hours.

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• Which? Trusted Trader: Heatable is proudly recognised as a Which? Trusted Trader.

• Price match guarantee: We will match any like-for-like cheaper quote.

• Flexible payment options, including interest-free finance.

• Up to a 12-year guarantee on selected models.

• Fixed price guarantee: No hidden costs.

• Save your quote and decide later.

• Get an instant fixed price on a new EV charger here.