ELECTRIC cars are becoming increasingly popular as UK laws look to phase out the production of petrol and diesel cars.
With that in mind, it may be useful to look at how you can charge an electric car and how much it will cost to run one. Here’s all you need to know.
Where can I charge my electric car for free?
There are three categories of free electric car charging points in the UK.
These are attractions, hotels and accommodation, as well as car parks.
It’s free at some supermarkets too.
Stores with free EV charging points include: Sainsbury’s, Lidl and Aldi.
Pod Point is the network provider and free charging is mostly on its fast 7/22kW chargers.
Morrisons, Waitrose, Tesco, and Asda also have EV charging points, but they aren’t free to use on a pay-as-you-go basis.
How much does it cost to charge an electric car?
According to the RAC, it costs an average of 70.32p per kilowatt hour to rapid charge on a pay-as-you-go basis in February 2023, up from 44.55p (58%) in May 2022 and from 63.29p (11%) in September 2022.
It is far cheaper to charge your car at home, although this will take longer.
It currently costs just £17.87 to charge at home, despite the record high domestic energy prices in the UK.
Quicker charging may be more convenient in terms of time, but those who do it will rack up massive fees over time.
How much does it cost to get an electric car charger fitted at home?
A home charge point typically costs between £800 to £1,500. This price depends on which home charger installer you choose and the choice of charge model you opt for, according to DriveElectric.
It’s important to note that after paying for the instalment, the only further payments you will make are for the electricity you use to charge it.
In April 2022 the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) which provided grants for home charger installation closed.
However, the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles has announced that a similar scheme is available for people that live in flats or currently rent their home.
Just like the previous scheme, the Government will contribute up to £350 of the cost for one charging point and its installation, in a bid to encourage greener driving.
