Rising energy costs – How to charge an EV more cheaply

Drivers are being told the best ways they can charge electric vehicles more cheaply amidst the rising costs of energy at home.

EV experts at LeaseElectricCar.co.uk have named the best ways drivers can get the most out of their car batteries and charge up for cheaper.

There has been a recent increase in the cost to charge electric cars in public rapid chargepoints, meaning it still remains cheaper to install a slow chargepoint at home, despite the rising cost of energy prices.

From the 1st October 2022, the new cost to fully charge a 64kWh battery at home jumps up from £18.37 to £22.22, but importantly, this figure remains £11.58 cheaper than it would have been thanks to the new price cap.

Research shows that the cheapest time to charge an EV is overnight during the off-peak energy hours by using a slow chargepoint installed at home, but there are also free chargepoints at some supermarkets available for customers.

There are several tips drivers can follow to extend and optimise the battery life of electric vehicles such as driving efficiently and keeping EV’s in a garage.

A spokesperson for LeaseElectricCar.co.uk said: “More and more motorists are opting for electric vehicles over petrol and diesel largely because of the environmental benefits and that they are a cheaper option in the long run.

“However, the recent cost of energy crisis may put some drivers off from owning electric cars. But despite public charging points becoming more expensive, it’s still cheaper for EV owners to charge their cars at their home-charge points as the majority do. Installing a slow charger may take longer but it does save more money.

“You can also make use of the free public chargepoints at supermarkets and take measures to optimise the battery life and range. You’d be silly not to take full advantage of the government grants available for some EV owners which may give you some money off buying and installing a chargepoint at home.

“There are a few cost-effective hacks you can do to charge up your EV on a budget whilst making the most of its battery and enjoying the benefits of driving an electric vehicle.”

1. Overnight charging is the cheapest time
It is much cheaper to charge EV’s overnight during off-peak hours, usually from midnight until 7am. This is because the general demand for electricity is considerably lower, although specific off-peak hours will differ between energy suppliers.

There are some EV chargers which allow drivers to schedule a charge during off-peak hours, and getting a specific EV energy tariff can also give cheaper options. Although it’s always best to check with suppliers to see the best deals available.

2. Install slow chargepoints at home
As well as charging up overnight, another way to reduce costs is to have a slow chargepoint installed at home. They are cheaper to use because they need to use less electricity to charge an EV – as a result it takes a few hours longer to get a full battery (around eight hours for a full charge), but this is the best cost-effective option for home charging.

Charge up as you shop
The UK’s network of public chargepoints is increasing, and lots of supermarkets across the country offer free charging facilities for their customers. It’s super easy to charge up whilst doing the weekly shop for no extra cost. EV owners can check out online the closest complimentary supermarket chargers.

Just make sure to scan around for any restrictions in the supermarket car park, such as how long drivers can use the charging points to avoid any fines.

3. Make use of the garage to extend battery life
Use the garage to benefit the longevity of EV batteries – it’s really easy to prepare garages to help better the life of the battery. Having a better battery life will increase the overall charge range on electric vehicles.

Because electric vehicle batteries struggle in the changing weather and temperatures, the climate control of garages is important to help the charge range of EV’s. To do this install an insulated garage door to prevent the inside garage temperature from drastically changing and in turn, help extend the EV battery life and range.

4. Take advantage of grants
The initial cost of installing an EV charger can be expensive, so it’s a good idea to take advantage of benefits that the government provides to help lower the cost of charging electric vehicles. There are also benefits for businesses, local authorities and landlords.

The ‘EV Chargepoint Grant’ allows flat owners and those who live in rented accommodation to apply for funding of up to 75% towards buying and installation costs of EV chargepoints in the UK, providing up to £350 per grant. Check the latest updates to the EV Chargepoint Grant to see who qualifies.

5. Drive efficiently to optimise the battery range
There are several driving tips EV motorists can do to extend the battery range of electric vehicles and lessen the charging frequency.

Anticipate any hazards or junctions on the road to avoid harsh braking or unnecessary acceleration. Drivers should also be mindful of the speed as higher speeds increase the consumption of energy in electric vehicles, and also have a solid understanding of air conditioning and heating systems in an EV and only use them when necessary, as it will drain the battery.