How Much Electricity Does an Electric Car Use?

Electric Car owners will want to understand how much electricity they use and the impact EVs have on household electricity bills. If you know exactly how much electricity usage your EV needs then you should be able to better manage your energy costs and budget correctly.

In this article, we’ll explore how much electricity an EV typically uses, how it affects your energy bill, and how much energy an EV uses per mile.

How Much Does EV Charging Add to Your Electric Bill?

The amount of electricity an electric car will add to your monthly bill depends on several factors, including the car’s battery size, how often you charge it, and the cost of electricity in your area.

On average, the electricity cost in the UK is approximately 30p per kilowatt-hour (kWh), though this can vary depending on your energy tariff. Let’s consider an example:

If you drive 1,000 miles a month, and your EV consumes around 0.3 kWh per mile, you would need 300 kWh of electricity to cover your mileage. With a cost of 30p per kWh, charging your vehicle could add approximately £90 to your monthly bill.

However, many UK households take advantage of off-peak tariffs, which can reduce the cost of charging if you plug in during the night. Off-peak electricity rates may drop to around 7p per kWh, which can significantly lower your monthly EV charging costs.

Electric Car Power Consumption

The power consumption of an electric vehicle is influenced by the car’s efficiency and its battery size. The most common way to measure energy consumption for an EV is in kilowatt-hours (kWh) per 100 miles (or km).

For instance, an average electric car like the Nissan Leaf or Tesla Model 3 typically consumes around 15-30 kWh per 100 miles. Larger vehicles like electric SUVs tend to use more energy, while smaller EVs use less.

A typical EV will have a battery capacity of anywhere between 40 kWh to 100 kWh. For example:

• Nissan Leaf: 40 kWh battery
• Tesla Model 3: 50-75 kWh battery options
• Audi e-tron: 95 kWh battery

So, charging a fully depleted 40 kWh battery at 30p per kWh would cost £12, while a 75 kWh Tesla battery would cost £22.50.

MORE> Miles Per kWh explained

How Much Energy Does an Electric Car Use Per Mile?

Energy consumption is a crucial factor when calculating costs and environmental impact. On average, most electric cars use around 0.2 to 0.4 kWh per mile.

For example, a Tesla Model 3 might consume around 0.24 kWh per mile, while a Nissan Leaf could use about 0.3 kWh per mile. The exact figure depends on factors such as driving speed, weather conditions, terrain, and how efficiently you drive.

For comparison:

• Driving 100 miles in a car that consumes 0.25 kWh per mile will use 25 kWh of electricity.
• If your electricity rate is 30p per kWh, that trip will cost around £7.50.

EVs are more energy-efficient at lower speeds and in stop-and-go city traffic, as they benefit from regenerative braking, which captures and stores energy that would otherwise be lost.

Tips for Reducing Your Electricity Bill with an EV

Owning an electric car can already save you money compared to driving a petrol or diesel car, but there are several ways to further reduce your electricity bill. By making smart choices about when, where, and how you charge your EV, you can keep your energy costs to a minimum. Here are some practical tips to help you save:

1. Charge During Off-Peak Hours

One of the easiest ways to cut costs is to charge your EV during off-peak hours, when electricity is cheaper. Many UK energy providers offer off-peak tariffs, like Economy 7 or Octopus Go, that provide lower rates during the night. These tariffs can drop electricity prices from the standard 30p per kWh to as low as 7p per kWh during specific times.

To take advantage of this:

• Schedule your charging sessions during these off-peak hours (typically between 12am and 7am).
• Many EVs and smart chargers allow you to set a charging schedule through their apps, making it easy to charge automatically at the best times.

Charging at night can cut your electricity costs by up to 75%, depending on the tariff you choose.

2. Use Smart Chargers

Investing in a smart charger is another great way to manage your electricity usage efficiently. Smart chargers offer features such as:

• Energy monitoring: Track your EV’s power consumption in real-time, so you can understand how much energy you’re using and at what cost.
• Optimised charging: Automatically adjust the charging time to take advantage of off-peak rates.
• Solar integration: If you have solar panels, some smart chargers can draw power from them during the day, further lowering your electricity bill.

A smart charger can also make it easier to reduce your reliance on the grid, using energy more efficiently.

3. Install Solar Panels

If you own your home, installing solar panels can be a game-changer in reducing both your EV charging costs and your overall energy bills. By using solar energy to charge your car, you essentially drive for free during sunny days, depending on the size of your solar array and your EV’s charging needs.

In the UK, the average cost to install a solar panel system is between £4,000 and £8,000, but government incentives such as the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) can help you offset some of these costs. Over time, the energy savings from using solar power to charge your EV can pay for the initial investment.

4. Drive More Efficiently

Your driving style has a direct impact on your EV’s energy consumption. To maximise efficiency and minimise electricity usage:

• Avoid rapid acceleration and hard braking. Aggressive driving can drain the battery faster.
• Use regenerative braking where possible. This feature helps recover energy when you slow down, putting it back into the battery.
• Maintain a steady speed on motorways and use cruise control to reduce unnecessary power usage.

5. Charge at Public Charging Stations When Free

Many businesses, supermarkets, and even some workplaces offer free public EV charging as an incentive to attract customers or support employee sustainability. While these chargers are often slower, they can help you top up your battery without adding to your home electricity bill.

• For example, major supermarket chains like Sainsbury’s offer free or discounted EV charging for customers.
• Some council-owned chargers also provide free charging, particularly in areas aiming to encourage EV adoption.

6. Consider Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Technology

Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology allows your EV to not only charge from the grid but also send power back to it during peak demand times. If you have a V2G-compatible EV and charger, you can sell energy back to the grid, especially during high-demand periods when electricity prices are highest.

While V2G is still an emerging technology in the UK, early adopters can benefit from energy providers offering financial incentives for those who feed electricity back into the grid. Over time, this could potentially reduce your annual energy costs by a significant amount.

The Final Word on How Much Electricity an EV Uses

Electric cars will always add to your electricity bill, but the increase is often offset by the lower operating costs compared to petrol or diesel vehicles. Charging at home can add anywhere from £50 to £100 to your monthly energy bill depending on how much you drive and the electricity rate you are on.

With most EVs consuming around 0.2 to 0.4 kWh per mile, understanding your car’s energy usage can help you work out both your environmental impact and monthly costs more accurately.

John Ellmore

John is the Editor and Spokesperson for Electric Car Guide.

With over 20 years of writing experience, he has written for titles such as City AM, FE News and NerdWallet.com, covering various automotive and personal finance topics.

John’s market commentary has been covered by the likes of The Express, The Independent, Yahoo Finance and The Evening Standard.