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How much does it cost to run a 7kW home EV charger?
A 7kW home EV charger costs about 56p an hour to run.
Most drivers charge overnight on an EV tariff, so this page uses an off-peak rate. A 3-pin plug charges at about 2.3kW, a wallbox at about 7kW.
Work out your cost
Find the wattage on the label or rating plate, usually on the back or underneath.
Low, typical and high running costs
Using 1 hour a day.
| Rating | Unit cost | Per week | Per year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 2,300W | 18p / hour | £1.29 | £67.16 |
| Typical | 7,000W | 56p / hour | £3.92 | £204.40 |
| High | 7,400W | 59p / hour | £4.14 | £216.08 |
How it compares
| Appliance | Typical use | Per day | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Storage heater | 7 hours a day | £2.14 | £65.15 |
| Hot tub | switched on all day | £2.11 | £64.05 |
| Oil-filled radiator | 4 hours a day | £1.47 | £44.83 |
| Fan heater | 3 hours a day | £1.26 | £38.43 |
| Convector heater | 4 hours a day | £1.18 | £36.03 |
| Electric car (home charger) | 1 hour a day | 56p | £17.03 |
How we work it out
Cost per hour = watts ÷ 1,000 × share of time at full power × price per kWh. For a 7,000W electric car (home charger) at 100%: 7,000 ÷ 1,000 × 1 × 8.0p = 56p.
The low, typical and high figures are for models sold in the UK, taken from the sources below. Your own appliance may differ, so check its rating plate or energy label for the most accurate figure.
Sources
- Ofgem: changes to the energy price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026
- Best Chargers: Octopus Go and Intelligent Octopus Go rates (October 2026)
- Selectra: charging an electric car at home, plug socket vs wallbox
Questions
How much electricity does a 7kW home EV charger use?
Most use between 2,300W and 7,400W. A 7,000W model running at full power uses 7 kWh an hour.
How much does a 7kW home EV charger cost to run per day?
Used for 1 hour a day it costs about 56p, based on an off-peak EV tariff rate of 8.0p per kWh (Intelligent Octopus Go, October 2026).
Where does the electricity price come from?
We use the Ofgem price cap average for Great Britain, paying by Direct Debit: 26.32p per kWh for 1 Oct 2026 to 31 Dec 2026. Electricity rate includes 0% VAT, which applies from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027. Storage heater and EV pages use an off-peak rate instead. Your own tariff may be higher or lower, so check your bill and enter your rate in the calculator.