Home Charging vs. Public Stations: Cost Speed & Convenience
You ever stand at a public charger thinking
“Why is this taking forever”
“Am I paying way more than I should”
“Should I have just installed one at home”
Yeah
Been there
Holding a coffee
Watching the minutes tick by
Wishing someone had just told me the truth about home charging vs. public stations: cost speed & convenience
So here it is
Straight from me
No fluff
I’m Myriam
Makeup artist
EV driver
And seasoned charger–chooser
Why This Even Matters
Because how and where you charge
Changes everything
✅ How much you pay
✅ How fast you’re back on the road
✅ How much you secretly hate your car
Pick the right setup for your life
And you save money and stress
Home Charging vs. Public Stations: Which Wins?
Let me break it down
Home Charging: The Good Stuff
Cost
✅ Cheapest by far
✅ You pay your regular electricity rate — often way lower than public stations
✅ Some areas offer EV–friendly tariffs at night that make it even cheaper
On average
Home: about 10–20p per kWh
Public: anywhere from 40–80p per kWh
That’s a big gap
Speed
✅ Slower — because home chargers are usually Level 2 (7kW in the UK)
✅ Adds about 20–30 miles per hour of charge
✅ Fine if you plug in overnight — wake up to a full battery
Convenience
✅ Ridiculously easy
✅ Plug it in when you get home
✅ No queueing no waiting no fighting over a spot
✅ Works while you sleep
Public Stations: The Good Stuff
Cost
✅ More expensive
✅ Especially the superfast DC chargers at motorway services
✅ You pay for the convenience and speed
But
✅ Still cheaper than petrol — usually
Speed
✅ Way faster — especially DC rapid chargers
✅ Adds about 150–250 miles in 30–40 minutes depending on your car
✅ Perfect for long trips
Convenience
✅ Best for road trips or if you don’t have a driveway
✅ Plenty of apps to find the closest one
✅ But — sometimes busy, sometimes broken, sometimes hogged by someone checking emails
My Own Charging Story
When I first got my EV
I thought public chargers were “good enough”
Spent hours sitting at service stations paying through the nose
Installed a home charger after a month
Now I barely think about charging
Just plug in every night
And only use public ones when I’m heading out of town
Quick Tips To Choose The Best Option
☑ If you have a driveway — get a home charger. No brainer.
☑ If you live in a flat — find a reliable public spot nearby.
☑ Use a smart tariff — charge overnight when rates are lowest.
☑ On long trips — plan your public stops ahead of time with an app.
☑ Keep a charging cable and backup plan just in case.
FAQs About Home Charging vs. Public Stations: Cost Speed & Convenience
Do I really save that much with home charging?
Yes — over a year it can save you hundreds compared to public rates.
How much does a home charger cost?
Around £500–£1,000 installed — but many areas offer grants.
Can I just use a regular plug at home?
Yes — but painfully slow. A dedicated charger is much better.
Are public chargers reliable?
Mostly — but expect the occasional wait or faulty unit.
What if I don’t have off–street parking?
Look for local councils offering on–street chargers or use public ones nearby.
Final Word On Home Charging vs. Public Stations: Cost Speed & Convenience
If you’re wondering about home charging vs. public stations: cost speed & convenience
Here’s the simple answer:
✅ Home is cheaper
✅ Public is faster
✅ Together — they’re perfect
If you can plug in at home — do it
If not — learn the best public spots and plan smart
Either way
Stop stressing about it
It’s still better than queuing at a petrol pump
