Charging your electric vehicle should be simple, cost-effective, and stress-free. Yet for many new EV drivers, one question arises time and again: Should I rely on public chargers, or is it worth installing a home EV charger? As EV adoption continues to grow in the UK and charging costs evolve, understanding the real differences can help you make a more informed decision.

This blog breaks down the convenience, cost, and long-term value of home charging versus public charging, allowing you to decide what works best for your lifestyle.

A clear cost difference makes the comparison even more compelling. With an off-peak EV tariff at around 7p per kWh, home charging can cost just under 2p per mile. Public rapid charging, often around 85p per kWh, increases this to roughly 21p per mile. Over 10,000 miles, that’s a saving of around £1,800 – enough to cover ma typical home charger installation.

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Home charging: the everyday convenience most drivers prefer

According to Zapmap’s research, 79% of EV drivers have a dedicated home charger, making home charging the most common choice for everyday convenience. Public charging still plays a significant role, with 51% of drivers using the public network at least once a month; however, satisfaction levels remain mixed, as the average public-charging experience was rated 64 out of 100.

Public chargers are incredibly useful and continue to expand across the UK, but they can still be less predictable than charging at home. Availability varies by location, and peak times can lead to queues. Zapmap’s reliability reporting shows that around 6–7% of public chargers are out of service at any given time, so you may occasionally arrive to find a unit unavailable when you need it most.

Home charging gives you the opposite experience: consistent access, complete control, and the convenience of plugging in on your schedule.

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Cost savings that add up quickly

Public charging is improving, but its cost continues to fluctuate. Zapmap’s price index shows steady increases in rapid and ultra-rapid charging rates, making public charging significantly more expensive than charging at home.

With home charging, the price per kWh is typically lower, and using an EV-friendly energy tariff can further reduce the cost. Ofgem highlights the growing availability of time-of-use tariffs that offer cheaper overnight electricity, giving homeowners the opportunity to charge at some of the lowest rates available.

This means that over months and years, the savings grow substantially. You gain:

• Cheaper cost per mile
• Stable pricing you can budget for
• The ability to schedule charging at the best tariff rates
• The option to integrate with solar panels or battery storage in the future

A home charger is not just more convenient — it’s a more cost-effective long-term decision.

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No driveway? You can still charge at home

Many drivers assume they need a driveway to benefit from home charging, but that’s no longer the case. Solutions such as Kerbo Charge — currently being trialled by several UK councils — allow homeowners without private parking to charge safely from their property. These systems use discreet cable gullies installed in the pavement, enabling you to run a charging cable to your vehicle without creating trip hazards.

If you don’t have a private driveway and rely on on-street parking, home charging can still be accessible, convenient, and affordable.

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Why most drivers eventually choose a home charger

When you combine the savings, convenience, and day-to-day reliability, it's easy to understand why home charging quickly becomes the preferred option for EV drivers. No queues. No unexpected costs. No detours after a long day. Just full control over your charging routine.

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Take the next step

If you're ready to make EV ownership easier and more cost-effective, installing a home charger is one of the smartest moves you can make. Voltari provides safe, compliant, high-quality installations and can help you choose the right charger for your driving habits and property setup.

Contact us for your personalised home EV charger quote today.