Updated September 2026.
Charging is the part of owning an electric car that puzzles most first-time buyers, and it is also where the biggest savings are. This guide brings everything together for drivers of BYD, MG, Omoda, Jaecoo, Leapmotor, XPeng, Zeekr, Deepal and other Chinese EVs: what to install at home, which tariff to pick, how public charging works and what each model costs to charge.
Work out your own cost: pick your car and enter your tariff and mileage in our EV charging cost calculator.
Charging in 2026: the key numbers
| Typical price per kWh | Cost of a 10% to 80% charge (60kWh battery) | |
|---|---|---|
| Home, overnight EV tariff | About 7p to 9.5p | About £3 to £4 |
| Home, standard price cap | 26.32p (Oct to Dec 2026) | About £11 |
| Public slow or fast charger | 54p average | About £23 |
| Public rapid or ultra-rapid | 77p average | About £32 |
Do Chinese EVs charge differently?
No. Every Chinese electric car sold in the UK uses the same Type 2 connector for home and slow charging and CCS for rapid charging, just like a Volkswagen, Kia or Tesla. What differs is how fast each car can charge. Budget models such as the Leapmotor T03 and BYD Dolphin Surf charge relatively slowly, while 800-volt cars like the XPeng G6 and Zeekr 7X are among the fastest-charging cars on sale at any price. Compare every model.
Step 1: sort out home charging
If you have a driveway, a 7kW home charger is the single best investment for an EV owner. Expect to pay about £800 to £1,200 fitted. Renters and people who own a flat can claim up to £500 through the OZEV grant until March 2027. Read home charger costs and our best home chargers guide.
Step 2: switch to an EV tariff
An EV tariff cuts overnight electricity to around a third of the normal price, so a typical top-up costs a few pounds instead of more than ten. Most need a smart meter, and the best rates often need a compatible charger. Compare EV tariffs.
Step 3: know the public network
The UK had more than 119,000 public chargers in April 2026, over 27,000 of them rapid or ultra-rapid. They are essential for long trips and for drivers without a driveway, but at an average of 77p per kWh on rapid chargers they cost up to ten times more than charging at home. How public charging works.
No driveway?
You can still run an EV, but it takes more planning. Look for on-street chargers from your council, supermarket and workplace charging, and destination chargers where you already park. Budget carefully: at public prices, the running-cost advantage over a petrol car shrinks a lot, so a hybrid may suit you better. Our brand guides flag which models offer plug-in and self-charging hybrid options.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to charge a Chinese electric car in the UK?
At home on an overnight EV tariff, a typical 10% to 80% charge costs about £2 to £6 depending on battery size, and £3 to £5 for most models. On the standard price cap it is roughly £7 to £20, and at an average public rapid charger roughly £19 to £57.
Can I charge a Chinese EV with a normal home charger?
Yes. They all use the standard Type 2 connector, so any UK home wallbox works.
Which Chinese EV charges fastest?
The XPeng G6 and X9 and Zeekr 7X and 7GT can go from 10% to 80% in around 12 to 16 minutes on an ultra-rapid charger.
Do I need a home charger?
Not strictly, but it makes ownership far cheaper and easier. Charging from a three-pin plug is very slow, and relying only on public rapid chargers can cost more than running a petrol car.