Charging Advice

Charging your EV at Home in the UK: What to Know

Home charging is one of the most convenient and cost-effective ways to run an electric vehicle (EV), but exactly how economical it is depends heavily on your home energy tariff. For example, charging a Kia EV6 with a standard flat electricity rate of 30p per kWh would cost approximately £25.20 for a full battery—based on an 84 kWh capacity. However, this cost can be significantly reduced with the right EV-specific tariff.

Consider EV-Friendly Tariffs

Many UK energy suppliers now offer EV tariffs that feature very low off-peak electricity rates—sometimes as low as 7–10p per kWh—typically available during overnight hours (e.g. midnight to 5 a.m.). These tariffs often come with higher peak rates, so it’s important to align your charging habits with the off-peak window. Using a smart charger can help automate this.

Smart Meters and Chargers

To take advantage of time-of-use tariffs, you’ll need a smart meter. A smart EV charger (such as a Zappi, Ohme, Pod Point, or our home charger partner, Andersen ) can further optimise charging, allowing you to schedule sessions during the cheapest hours and monitor energy use. Some models even integrate with solar panels or home energy storage systems if you’re going green on a bigger scale.

Additional Tips:

Compare Tariffs Regularly: Energy prices and offerings change frequently. Use comparison tools (like Uswitch or Octopus Compare) to find the best deal.

Plan for Installation: A home charger installation typically costs between £800 and £1,200, though some energy suppliers or government grants (like the EV Chargepoint Grant for renters and flat owners) may help reduce this.

Track Your Mileage: If you’re a high-mileage driver, the savings from an EV-friendly tariff can be significant over time.

With the right setup, charging your EV at home can be not only cheaper than petrol or diesel but also easier and greener—especially when combined with low-carbon electricity or your own solar generation.

Charger Type	EV3 Standard Range	EV3 Long Range	EV6	EV9	Niro EV	Niro PHEV	Sportage PHEV	Sorento PHEV
7.2 kW	-	-	-	-	9h 25m**	2h 55m^	1h 45m**	3h 25m*
11 kW	5h 20m**	7h 15m**	7h 35m	9h 5m**	6h 20m**	2h 55m^	-

Charging Your EV in Public in the UK: What to Expect

Public charging is essential for longer journeys or if you don’t have access to a home charger. While it's generally more expensive than charging at home, it's getting easier and faster as the UK’s public charging network expands rapidly—especially with motorway services and urban hubs increasing their rapid and ultra-rapid charger numbers.

Types of Public Chargers

Public chargers are broadly split into three types:

Slow (3–7 kW): Found in residential streets or workplace car parks; good for topping up over several hours.

Fast (7–22 kW): Common in supermarkets and car parks—ideal for 1–4 hour visits.

Rapid/Ultra-rapid (50–350 kW): Located on motorways and A-roads; can charge many EVs to 80% in 20–45 minutes.

Costs and Payment

Charging costs vary widely. On average, rapid chargers cost between 60–80p per kWh, which is notably more than home rates. Some networks offer membership or subscription plans that reduce per-kWh prices. Most public chargers now support contactless card payment, but using the provider's app or RFID card often unlocks better rates and additional features.

Model	7.2kW AC Single Phase (Fast)	22kW AC Three Phase (Fast)	50kW DC Rapid	100kW DC High Power Charging	350kW DC High Power Charging
Effective max. speed	Approx. charging time	Effective max. speed	Approx. charging time	Effective max. speed	Approx. charging time	Effective max. speed	Approx. charging time	Effective max. speed	Approx. charging time
Sorento PHEV	3.3kW	3 hours 25 min	3.3kW	3 hours 25 min	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Sportage PHEV	7.2kW	1 hour 45 min (10% - 100%)	7.2kW	1 hour 45 min (10% - 100%)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Niro PHEV	3.3kW	2 hours 55 min (15% - 95%)	3.3kW	2 hours 55 min (15% - 95%)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Niro EV	7.2kW	9 hours 25 min	11kW	6 hours 20 min	50kW	1 hour 5 min (10% - 80%)	72kW	45 min (10% - 80%)	72kW	43 min (10% - 80%)
EV6	7.2kW	-	11kW	7 hours 35 min (10% - 100%)	50kW	1 hour 16 min (10% - 80%)	-	-	258kW	18 min (10% - 80%)
EV9	7.2kW	-	11kW	9 hours 5 min (10% - 100%)	50kW	1 hour 23 min (10% - 80%)	-	-	210kW	24 min (10% – 80%)
EV3 SR	7.2kW	-	11kW	5 hours 20 min (10% - 100%)	50kW	55 min (10% - 80%)	-	-	127kW	29 min (10% - 80%)
EV3	7.2kW	-	11kW	7 hours 15 min (10% - 100%)	50kW	1 hour 19 min (10% - 100%)	-	-	127kW	31 min (10% - 80%)

Norton Way Motors Ltd is registered in England No: 00730865. Registered at: Norton Way North, Letchworth, Hertfordshire, SG6 1BL. VAT Registration No: 732242465.

Norton Way Motors Ltd is also authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for consumer credit purposes. We offer a range of vehicle finance facilities through a panel of carefully selected third-party lenders. We do not provide customers with independent finance advice and will not offer facilities from lenders outside of this panel. Norton Way Motors Ltd is a broker for finance and not a lender. The lenders that we use are given first right of refusal. This is because these lenders will pay us a commission for introducing you to them. Commission may be calculated based on either a fixed amount relating to the vehicle you are purchasing, a percentage of the amount of finance you are borrowing, or a combination of both. We may also get paid an additional fixed commission if you are a returning customer. Different finance lenders may pay different commissions for such introductions. Such payments will not affect the amount you pay under any finance agreement, all of which are set by the lender. We will inform you of the amount of commission that we will earn in good time. We will require your consent for us to receive this commission. Our approach is to introduce you to a lender on our panel who will offer you the best package taking into account eligibility, product suitability, as well as interest rates and other factors. Our aim is to secure the best deal that you are eligible for. You do not have to take our finance as it is available through other distributors. You can arrange funding for your vehicle elsewhere and it may be cheaper.

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Charging your EV at Home in the UK: What to Know

Consider EV-Friendly Tariffs

Smart Meters and Chargers

Additional Tips:

Key points about Home Charging

Kia Home Charging Times

Looking to purchase a home charger?

Charging Your EV in Public in the UK: What to Expect

Types of Public Chargers

Costs and Payment

Public Charging Tips:

Key points about Public Charging

Public Charging Times

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