How Much Does It Cost To Charge An EV?

Purchasing an electric vehicle is a big commitment and takes a lot of research - you’ve got a lot to take in, read, find out and discover before you make the leap into the latest in green technology.
One of the biggest questions for those moving from traditional fuels and internal combustion engines (often shortened to ICE) is 'How will having an electric vehicle affect my wallet?'
It’s a good question, especially with so many variables at play and with technology that is continually changing.
How much does it cost to charge on the motorway?
Roadchef has an extremely competitive charging price. Across the UK motorway network, Roadchef charges between 79p/kWh & 85p/kWh, in line with a selection of other major players in the EV charging game.
But, to work out how much it’ll cost you overall, there’s a selection of factors to take into account - just because the charger says it can dispense 350kW, doesn’t always mean your car is compatible to charge at 350kW.
With this in mind, you might need an electric vehicle calculator to figure out a rough cost of charging your electric vehicle - we recommend some of our favourites below.
By using Roadchef’s high-powered 350kW chargers as a starting point though, we can do a rough calculation of what you can expect to pay!
Using our 350kW-capable chargers for roughly 50 minutes, charging from 20% - 80% will cost you anywhere between £35-£40 for 160-190 miles of range, based on the 79p to 85p per KW/h that Roadchef and GRIDSERVE chargers cost.
Many newer vehicles can charge quicker than that though - Hyundai’s own website says that when using a 350kW charger, the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 can be charged from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes. That’s enough time for you to get a Latte from Costa Coffee, a wrap from LEON and pop to the toilet in our main amenity building.
At our slower AC chargers, like those available at Hamilton, you can expect to be charging for 2 hours, gaining 160 miles and costing you roughly between £8-£14, at 49p per kWh.
Charge times can vary depending on a myriad of factors, which we continue to discuss below.
Looking for an EV Charging Calculator?
Like the old radio advert, it’s always best to plan your journey and check before you travel!
There are some great energy charging calculators out there that you can use on the go or whilst planning your journey, including ZapMap, GoCompare and - for Ford drivers - Ford’s own charging calculator - are great choices!

What factors can affect my electric vehicle's charge speed?
There are many factors to consider when judging the likely speed available to recharge your vehicle. These include;
Type of charger
Number one and the most obvious, check the type of charger you’re using. Roadchef currently has a mixture of AC chargers (pre-bookable for our hotel guests at Super 8 by Wyndham Chester and Super 8 by Wyndham Durham), Medium-powered chargers and High-powered chargers.Age of the vehicle and battery
Over time, age and number of charge cycles completed, charge speed will slow.Age, quality and type of power cable
Like EVs, cables can only carry certain speeds. Make sure your cable suits your need - if you’re charging at home, you’re likely to only need a slow charge output, whereas if you’re travelling on the motorway, you’ll need something that can carry power quickly. Capability is the name of the game. Many manufacturers will give you the appropriate cable (or make it available at any extra cost) for your vehicle At Roadchef, our medium-power and high-power chargers have cables suitable to deliver the optimum charge for your vehicle.
Speed of charger
There are a variety of chargers available on the motorway - including 50kW, 70kW, 100kW and 350kW.Temperature
Batteries operate best in milder climates. Extreme temperatures can often mean that charging will be slower, acceleration won’t be as smooth and range is significantly reduced.
How many vehicles can charge at 350kW?
As of December 2024, only 200 models of vehicle are currently available to charge at 350kW.

Should I charge my electric vehicle to only 80%?
Many vehicle manufacturers recommend that you only charge your electric vehicle to 80% for optimum performance.
At 350kW, drivers have seen their charge speeds drop significantly after 80% charge. Lithium-ion batteries, which you’ll find in most electrical items. Why is this?
Well, get ready for a Roadchef simple-science lesson.
Imagine your battery is a box that you’re pouring balls (electrons) into. As you get to 80% full, the space in the box for new balls becomes less and less, meaning the balls are fighting to find space!
Also, if you’re charging all the way, every single time, lithium-ion batteries will suffer when being charged, run down, and then charged again. Just imagine how exhausting that would be for you to be so up-and-down, let alone a battery!
At 80%, these batteries are at their most efficient and peak performance, which you’re vehicle will be at optimum performance for those trips to the shops and longer journeys, via Roadchef.
Plus, in the long run, it’ll save you money, as charging to 80% means your battery will last longer.
At Roadchef, we’re here to support seasoned EV drivers and those new to the battery-powered vehicle revolution, 24/7, 365 days a year.
Thanks in part to our partnership with GRIDSERVE, our 31 sites feature the latest in charging technology, with over half of our UK motorway services boasting 360kW-capable chargers.