Saving Money On EV Charging: 7 Proven Ways To Reduce The Cost of Charging
As electric vehicles become increasingly popular across the UK, understanding how to optimise charging costs has become essential for current and prospective EV owners. Whether you've acquired your electric car through a company electric car scheme or independently, charging expenses represent a significant part of your running costs – but there are numerous ways to make substantial savings. These savings strategies could save you significant amounts of money over the term of your lease, and we will cover 7 proven ways you could save in this article.
Home Charging Improvements
Home charging typically provides the most economical way to power your electric car. Here's how to maximise your savings:
Install a Smart Home Charger
While the upfront cost of a smart charger is higher than a standard unit, the long-term savings are substantial. Smart chargers allow you to:
Schedule charging during off-peak hours automatically
Monitor your energy usage with precision
Integrate with renewable energy sources
Access charger-specific tariffs from energy providers
Most home chargers range from 7-22kW in power output, with 7kW units being the most common for residential installations. For most drivers, a 7kW charger provides the perfect balance between charging speed and installation cost.
Switch to an EV-Friendly Energy Tariff
Perhaps the single most impactful change you can make is switching to an EV-specific energy tariff. These typically offer significantly reduced rates during off-peak hours.
Current leading UK EV tariffs (May 2025), with costs for recharging a 60kWh battery, including off-peak savings:
| Peak | Off-Peak | Peak Charging Cost | Off-Peak Charging Cost | Cost Savings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Gas EV Tariff | 27.47p per kWh | 7.9p per kWh | £16.48 | £4.74 | £11.74 |
| EDF Energy EV Tariff | 27.21p per kWh | 9p per kWh | £16.32 | £5.40 | £10.92 |
| EON.Next EV Tariff | 24.85p per kWh | 6.7p per kWh | £14.91 | £4.02 | £10.89 |
| OVO EV Tariff | 7p per kWh | 7p per kWh | £4.20 | £4.20 | £0 |
| Scottish Power EV Tariff | 24.19p per kWh | 7.2p per kWh | £14.51 | £4.32 | £10.19 |
By charging exclusively during off-peak hours, you could reduce your charging costs by 60-70% compared to standard electricity rates.
*OVO Charge Anytime Tariff will charge 7p for EV charging at any time during the day - using a smart charger.
To put this in perspective, charging a Tesla Model 3 (60kWh battery) on a standard tariff at 30p per kWh would cost around £15 for a full charge. The same charge using an EV-specific tariff during off-peak hours could cost just £4.50 – a 2/3rd reduction.
It's worth noting that the total cost to fully charge an electric car at home varies significantly depending on your vehicle's battery capacity and your electricity tariff.
Charge During Off-Peak Hours
Even without an EV-specific tariff, most energy providers offer cheaper electricity during off-peak hours (typically overnight). Programming your smart charger to operate during these windows can generate significant savings.
For a typical electric car with a 60kWh battery, the difference between peak and off-peak charging can be as much as £10-£15 per full charge.
Leverage Solar Panel Integration
If you have solar panels installed, synchronising your EV charging with solar production can dramatically reduce costs. Modern smart chargers can be configured to:
Prioritise solar-generated electricity
Increase charging speed when solar production is high
Reduce or pause charging when drawing from the grid
During summer months, many solar panel owners report charging their electric car completely free for weeks at a time.
Public Charging Network Strategies
When charging away from home is necessary, these approaches will help minimise your costs:
Comparing Network Subscription Options
Many major charging networks offer subscription models that can significantly reduce per-kWh costs:
| Network | Standard Rate | Subscription Rate | Monthly Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| BP Pulse | 55p-69p per kWh | 27p-45p per kWh | £7.85 |
| IONITY | 69p per kWh | 35p per kWh | £0-£17.99 |
| InstaVolt | 75p per kWh | N/A | N/A |
| Shell Recharge | 79p per kWh | 55p per kWh | £7.99 |
*IONITY discounted rates are available through car manufacturer partnerships and The Electric Car Scheme
For drivers who regularly use public charging networks, these subscriptions typically pay for themselves after 2-3 charging sessions per month.
Identify Networks with Dynamic Pricing
Some networks offer reduced rates during off-peak hours, similar to home electricity tariffs. Apps like Zap Map can help you identify these opportunities for savings.
Find Free Charging Locations
Despite the trend towards paid charging, free charging points still exist across the UK, typically at: some supermarkets (limited duration), certain shopping centres, selected car parks, some workplaces, and hotel destinations (typically for guests).
Plan Journeys Around Cost-Effective Charging
Route planning tools like Zap-Map, A Better Routeplanner, and PlugShare allow you to plot journeys based on charging costs, not just availability. This strategic approach can save 30-40% on long journey charging expenses.
Smart Charging Habits
How you charge can be as important as where you charge:
Match Charging Speed to Your Needs
Rapid charging (50kW+) typically comes at a premium price. Unless you're in a hurry, opt for slower and cheaper charging options when available. For example:
Overnight at a 7kW charger: typically 20-35p per kWh
Destination charging at 22kW: typically 35-50p per kWh
Rapid charging at 50-150kW: typically 55-79p per kWh
Ultra-rapid charging at 150kW+: typically 65-85p per kWh
Efficient Driving Techniques
Extending your range through efficient driving directly translates to charging cost savings. Maintain steady speeds (55-60mph is typically most efficient) and use regenerative braking effectively.
Pre-condition your vehicle while plugged in, and minimise unnecessary weight in the vehicle to maximise your range when driving. Check your tyre pressure regularly.
Many EV drivers report improving efficiency by 10-15% through these techniques alone.
Optimal Battery Management
For battery longevity and efficiency:
Avoid regularly charging to 100% (80% is typically recommended for daily use)
Similarly, try not to run below 20% charge regularly
Use scheduled charging to finish just before departure time
Alternative Charging Solutions
Think beyond traditional charging approaches to save costs, and maximise financial savings.
Workplace Charging Options
Many employers now offer free or subsidised charging as part of employee benefits packages. This can be particularly valuable if combined with a salary sacrifice for EV charging arrangement, which provides tax benefits similar to the electric car salary sacrifice scheme.
Community Charging Through Apps
Platforms like Co-Charger connect EV owners with nearby private chargepoint owners, often at rates lower than public networks.
Government Incentives and Grants
While the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) for private homeowners has ended, other support is available:
The Workplace Charging Scheme offers up to £350 per charging socket
Zero-rated VAT on home charger installation (reduced from 20% to 0% in April 2024)
Local council grants in select areas
The Electric Car Scheme: Maximising Savings Through Salary Sacrifice
For those yet to purchase an electric car, the electric car scheme UK offers perhaps the most substantial overall savings. Through our salary sacrifice electric car scheme, drivers can save 20-50% on the cost of leasing their electric car when compared to a traditional lease. In addition, drivers can benefit from a low 3% Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) rate, compared to a maximum 37% for petrol and diesel leases. Many schemes - including The Electric Car Scheme - include home charger installation.
The Electric Car Scheme - in particular - offers The Charge Scheme, allowing drivers to salary sacrifice the cost of their charging when charging at home, in the office, or out in public - leading to substantial savings, whilst simplifying the charging process by using a single card to initiate payments, similar to a fuel card.
A company electric car scheme combines particularly well with home charging optimisation, as the tax benefits apply to both the vehicle and associated electricity costs when properly structured.
Tools and Apps for Cost Management
Charging Cost Calculators
Tools like the one on ElectricCarScheme.com help you understand and compare charging costs between home, work, and public options.
Energy Usage Monitoring
Apps like Ohme, ev.energy and The Charge Scheme app track your charging costs and can automatically optimise charging times based on:
Current electricity prices
Carbon intensity of the grid
Your daily schedule and requirements
Public Charger Price Comparison
Dedicated EV apps now offer real-time price comparison between nearby charging stations, similar to petrol price comparison tools.
Conclusion: A Strategic Approach to EV Charging
With electricity prices remaining volatile, a thoughtful approach to EV charging becomes increasingly valuable. By combining home charging optimisation, strategic use of public networks, and efficient driving habits, most UK drivers can reduce their charging costs by 30-60% compared to unoptimised approaches.
If you're considering an electric car through a salary sacrifice electric car programme, these charging optimisations compound the already substantial savings from the scheme's tax benefits, making electric vehicle ownership more affordable than ever.
For personalised advice on combining the electric car scheme with optimal charging strategies, contact our specialist team who can guide you through both vehicle selection and charging optimisation.
ECS GUIDES AND ADVICE
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How the Scheme WorksFind out how salary sacrifice can work for you or your business.
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