EV Charger Payback Calculator
Compare charging an electric car at home against public rates, and see how quickly a home charger installation pays for itself.
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The case for a home charger is rarely the charger itself — it is the tariff. Home electricity, particularly on an off-peak overnight rate, typically costs a fraction of public rapid charging, and the gap across a year of normal driving is usually larger than the installation cost.
The variables are distance driven, how efficient the car is, and the two prices. All four go in here, because they differ enormously between drivers and between countries.
The calculation
Energy needed = distance ÷ distance per kWh. Multiply by each price to get the two annual costs, and divide the installation cost by the annual saving for the payback period.
Worked example
Ten thousand distance units a year at 3.5 per kWh needs 2,857 kWh. At a 0.09 off-peak home rate that is 257 a year; at 0.55 public rates it is 1,571. The saving is 1,314 a year, so a 1,200 installation pays for itself in about 11 months.
The tariff matters more than the charger
Most of the saving comes from an off-peak rate rather than from the hardware, so check what overnight tariffs are available before choosing a charger. A smart charger that schedules to the cheapest hours is usually worth the small premium over a basic one.
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Create your free property pageFrequently asked questions
Does a home charger add property value?
It is increasingly listed as a feature and clearly helps saleability where off-street parking exists, though the measurable price effect is modest. Treat any uplift as a bonus rather than as part of the payback.
What if I cannot park off street?
Then home charging is usually not available, and the comparison shifts to workplace charging or slower public units, which are much cheaper than rapid chargers. Run the calculation with that price instead of the rapid rate.
How efficient are electric cars really?
Commonly three to five distance units per kWh depending on the vehicle, speed and temperature, with cold weather and motorway driving both reducing it noticeably. Use your own observed figure rather than the official rating.
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