How much will it cost to charge an electric car at home in 2026?
Actual Home Charging Cost, Charging Time, and Choosing the Right Charging Station
More and more people in Bulgaria are choosing an electric vehicle or considering buying one. The reason is clear – lower running costs, less maintenance, quiet driving, and everyday convenience. But before buying, almost every customer asks the same question:
How much does it actually cost to charge an electric car at home?
This is one of the most important questions, because with an electric car, the main cost is not fuel, but electricity. The good news is that when the car is charged at home, the cost per 100 km can be many times lower compared to a gasoline or diesel car.
Home charging is the most convenient option for most EV owners. In the evening, the car is plugged into the charging station, and in the morning it is ready to go. There is no need to look for a free public station every day, wait, or pay a higher price for fast charging.
On this page, we will look at real indicative calculations in euros, how much a full charge costs, how much 100 km of range costs, what kind of charging station is suitable for home use, and why a wallbox is a better solution than a regular socket.
Why is home charging the most cost-effective?
When you charge an electric car at home, you use the household electricity price. This is usually significantly lower than the price at public charging stations, especially if the car is charged overnight.
With home charging, the owner has several key advantages:
charges the car while at home;
uses a lower electricity price;
can primarily charge at night rates;
is not dependent on public charging stations;
does not waste time waiting;
the car is ready every morning;
the charging station can be adapted to the electrical installation;
overload protection for the network can be added;
a separate panel with protections can be installed;
the solution is safer and more convenient than a regular socket.
Public charging stations are very useful for long journeys, urgent charging, or when there is no possibility to charge at home. But for daily use, the best combination is clear: a home charging station for everyday use and a public station only when necessary.
How is the charging cost calculated?
The calculation is very simple:
Charging cost = kWh needed × price per 1 kWh
For example, if a car has a 60 kWh battery and the price of night electricity is approximately €0.09/kWh including VAT, the theoretical cost for a full charge is:
60 kWh × €0.09 = €5.40
In real conditions, however, there are always small charging losses. Some energy is lost in the cable, in the charger, in the car's electronics, and during the charging process itself. Therefore, for a more accurate calculation, it is good to add about 8-12% for losses.
To make the calculation closer to reality, in the examples below we use about 10% losses.
This means that if the battery is 60 kWh, about 66 kWh can actually be consumed from the electricity grid.
Estimated cost for a full charge at home
The table uses indicative prices:
Night tariff: about €0.09/kWh with VAT
Day tariff: about €0.15/kWh with VAT
Charging losses: about 10%
EV Battery |
Energy from the grid with about 10% losses |
Cost at night tariff |
Cost at day tariff |
|---|---|---|---|
40 kWh |
about 44 kWh |
about €3.96 |
about €6.60 |
50 kWh |
about 55 kWh |
about €4.95 |
about €8.25 |
60 kWh |
about 66 kWh |
about €5.94 |
about €9.90 |
70 kWh |
about 77 kWh |
about €6.93 |
about €11.55 |
80 kWh |
about 88 kWh |
about €7.92 |
about €13.20 |
100 kWh |
about 110 kWh |
about €9.90 |
about €16.50 |
These values are indicative but clearly show one thing: home charging an electric car is much more cost-effective than public charging and significantly cheaper than a gasoline or diesel car.
How much does 100 km of range cost with an electric car?
For most electric cars, the actual consumption is between 15 and 22 kWh per 100 km. A small city electric car can consume about 13-15 kWh/100 km. An average electric SUV is often around 17-20 kWh/100 km. A larger car, especially in winter or at highway speeds, can reach 22-25 kWh/100 km.
For a real calculation, we again add about 10% for charging losses.
Car Consumption |
Energy from the grid with about 10% losses |
100 km at home at night tariff |
100 km at home at day tariff |
15 kWh/100 km |
about 16.5 kWh |
about €1.49 |
about €2.48 |
18 kWh/100 km |
about 19.8 kWh |
about €1.78 |
about €2.97 |
20 kWh/100 km |
about 22 kWh |
about €1.98 |
about €3.30 |
22 kWh/100 km |
about 24.2 kWh |
about €2.18 |
about €3.63 |
This means that with home charging, 100 km of range can cost approximately between €1.50 and €3.60, depending on the car, season, driving style, and whether you charge at night or day rates.
For a gasoline or diesel car, the cost per 100 km is usually much higher. Even with an economical car, the difference in monthly costs can be significant, especially if driven every day.
Home charging vs. public charging station
Public charging stations have their place. They are convenient for travel, when you need to charge quickly, or when the car cannot be charged at home. But the cost of public charging is usually higher.
If we assume approximately:
Home charging night tariff: about €0.09/kWh
Home charging day tariff: about €0.15/kWh
Public AC charging: about €0.41/kWh
Public DC charging: about €0.46/kWh
The difference becomes very clear.
Charging Type |
Approximate price per 1 kWh |
Cost for 60 kWh battery with about 10% losses |
At home – night tariff |
about €0.09/kWh |
about €5.94 |
At home – day tariff |
about €0.15/kWh |
about €9.90 |
Public AC station |
about €0.41/kWh |
about €27.06 |
Public DC station |
about €0.46/kWh |
about €30.36 |
From this calculation, it is clear that a full charge at home can be several times cheaper than a full charge at a public station.
Therefore, for someone who has their own parking space, garage, yard, or the possibility of installing a charging station, home charging is the best long-term solution.
How long does it take to charge at home?
Charging time depends on three main things:
battery capacity;
charging station power;
the maximum AC power the car can accept.
The most commonly used home charging stations are:
7.4 kW – single-phase charging station
11 kW – three-phase charging station
22 kW – three-phase charging station, if the car supports such AC power
It is important to know that not every electric car can charge at 22 kW AC. Many cars are limited to 7.4 kW or 11 kW for AC charging. Therefore, the choice of charging station must take into account not only the electrical installation but also the capabilities of the car.
Battery |
7.4 kW Charger |
11 kW Charger |
22 kW Charger |
40 kWh |
about 5–6 hours |
about 4 hours |
about 2 hours |
60 kWh |
about 8–9 hours |
about 6 hours |
about 3 hours |
80 kWh |
about 11–12 hours |
about 8 hours |
about 4 hours |
100 kWh |
about 14–15 hours |
about 10 hours |
about 5 hours |
These are approximate values. Actual time depends on the initial battery percentage, temperature, car, charging station settings, and whether the car supports full power.
In practice, most people do not charge every day from 0% to 100%. Usually, the car is topped up from 30-40% to 80-90%. Therefore, in real everyday life, home charging is even more convenient – the car is parked overnight and is ready in the morning.
Can an electric car be charged from a regular socket?
Yes, technically many electric cars can be charged from a regular socket using a mobile charger. But this is not the best solution for regular charging.
A regular socket is not designed for long-term high-power loads for many hours. With an old socket, loose connection, thin cable, poor installation, or lack of proper protections, there can be overheating and a risk of damage.
Charging through a regular socket is slow. Usually, the power is around 2-3 kW, which means that charging a larger battery can take many hours or even more than a day.
Therefore, a regular socket can be a temporary solution, but it is not the best option for someone who will regularly charge an electric car.
Why is a wallbox charging station a better solution?
A home charging station, also known as a wallbox, is specially designed for charging electric vehicles. It provides higher power, better safety, and much greater convenience.
The main advantages of a wallbox charging station are:
faster charging;
more secure connection to the car;
possibility of a separate electrical line;
properly sized cable;
separate protections in the panel;
possibility of residual current device protection;
possibility of surge protection;
possibility of load control;
more convenient daily use;
better appearance;
a longer-term and professional solution.
With proper installation, the charging station works stably and safely. This is especially important because charging an electric car is not like plugging in a phone or laptop. It involves hours of operation under load, often with power of 7.4 kW, 11 kW, or 22 kW.
What kind of charging station is suitable for home?
The most suitable charging station depends on the specific property and electrical installation.
7.4 kW charging station
7.4 kW is a very common solution for single-phase installations. It is suitable for houses, garages, parking spaces, and properties where there is no three-phase power or the car supports a maximum of 7.4 kW AC.
This is a good choice for daily charging, especially if the car is charged overnight. For most owners, 7.4 kW is completely sufficient, as the car has many hours of downtime overnight.
11 kW charging station
11 kW is one of the best solutions for three-phase power. It charges faster than 7.4 kW and loads the phases more evenly.
This is a very suitable option for houses with three-phase installations, for families with more than one car, or for people who want faster charging at home.
22 kW charging station
22 kW is a more powerful solution, but it is not always necessary. To use the full power, the car must support 22 kW AC charging, and the electrical installation must allow such a load.
Many electric vehicles do not accept 22 kW AC, even if the charging station can deliver it. Therefore, before choosing a 22 kW charging station, it is advisable to check the specific car and the electrical installation.
Why is an on-site inspection necessary before installation?
The price and method of installation cannot be accurately determined by a photo or by phone alone. Every site is different.
During an inspection, important things are checked, such as:
where the power supply will be taken from;
what is the condition of the main switchboard;
is there available power;
is the installation single-phase or three-phase;
what is the distance to the charging station;
what cable is needed;
where will the cable route pass;
is a conduit, pipe, or cable tray needed;
is an additional switchboard needed;
what protections need to be installed;
is there grounding;
is overload protection needed;
is there an option for an internet connection to the station;
where is the most convenient place to install the charging station.
That is why at ELSPOT, the on-site inspection is an important part of the process. The goal is not just to install a charging station, but to provide a correct, safe, and convenient solution for the specific client.
What protections are necessary?
The charging station must be connected correctly and with the appropriate protections. This is very important because electric vehicles are large consumers and charging lasts for hours.
Depending on the specific case, the following can be used:
circuit breaker;
residual current device;
surge protection;
separate switchboard;
correctly sized cable;
grounding;
overload protection;
dynamic load management.
Some charging stations can use an additional module to monitor the load. This is especially useful for weaker electrical installations or when there are many other consumers on the property – water heater, air conditioner, oven, heat pump, solar inverter, and others.
Such a module monitors consumption and can automatically reduce the power of the charging station to avoid overloading the electrical grid. This makes charging safer and more convenient.
How much does it cost to install a home charging station?
The installation price depends on the specific site. The distance from the switchboard to the station, the type of cable route, the necessary protections, the installation method, and the condition of the electrical installation are of greatest importance.
For some sites, installation is easy – the switchboard is close, the route is short, and there is free space for protections. For other sites, there might be a long cable route, outdoor installation, drilling, conduits, pipes, cable trays, an additional switchboard, or a need for grounding.
That is why an exact installation price is determined after an on-site inspection.
ELSPOT offers sales, installation, and service of charging stations for electric vehicles. We work with solutions for home and business charging, selecting the appropriate station according to the car, electrical installation, and client needs.
Example: how much would monthly home charging cost?
Let's assume the car consumes about 18 kWh/100 km and is driven about 1,000 km per month.
The actual energy from the grid with about 10% losses will be approximately:
18 kWh × 10 = 180 kWh
180 kWh + 10% losses = approximately 198 kWh
If charging is mainly on a night tariff:
198 kWh × €0.09 = approximately €17.82 per month
If charging is mainly on a day tariff:
198 kWh × €0.15 = approximately €29.70 per month
This means that with normal urban and interurban driving, home charging can be extremely cost-effective. Of course, the actual amount depends on the car, mileage, season, and electricity price.
What you need to know before installing a charging station?
Before installation, it is good to clarify a few things:
1. What car will be charged?
Different cars have different maximum AC power. Some charge up to 7.4 kW, others up to 11 kW, and some up to 22 kW.
2. What is the electrical installation like?
It is necessary to check whether the site is single-phase or three-phase, what power it has, and what the condition of the switchboard is.
3. Where will the station be installed?
It can be in a garage, on a facade, in a yard, on a pole, in a parking space, or in a common area.
4. What is the distance from the switchboard to the charging station?
The longer the route, the more important it is to correctly size the cable.
5. Is overload protection needed?
For weaker installations or many consumers, it is advisable to use dynamic power management.
6. Will the station be used only personally or by other people as well?
For business premises, hotels, offices, and public parking lots, a station with access control, an application, accounting, or the possibility of selling electricity may be necessary.
Who is a home charging station suitable for?
A home charging station is suitable for:
electric car owners;
people planning to buy an electric car;
houses with a yard or garage;
apartments with their own parking space;
small business premises;
offices;
hotels and guest houses;
car fleets;
companies with company electric cars.
Even if the car has not yet been purchased, it is a good idea to have an inspection done in advance and check what kind of charging station can be installed. This way, the client knows what to expect and can choose a car according to the actual capabilities of the property.
Home charging station in Varna from ELSPOT
ELSPOT offers sales, installation, and service of charging stations for electric vehicles in Varna and the region. We work with solutions for AC and DC charging, with 7.4 kW, 11 kW, and 22 kW AC charging stations most commonly used for home installations.
Our goal is to offer not just a charging station, but a complete solution:
selection of a suitable model;
on-site inspection;
checking the electrical installation;
selection of the correct cable route;
installation of the charging station;
installation of necessary protections;
power setting;
testing;
assistance after installation;
service and maintenance.
We approach each site individually, because no two installations are identical. For one client, the best solution might be 7.4 kW, and for another – 11 kW or 22 kW. Therefore, we recommend an initial inspection, after which an accurate quote can be provided.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to charge an electric car at home?
Approximately between €0.09 and €0.15 per 1 kWh depending on the tariff and electricity provider. Charging is most cost-effective on a night tariff.
How much does a full charge of an electric car cost?
For a 60 kWh battery, a full charge at home can cost about €6 on a night tariff and about €10 on a day tariff, including estimated charging losses.
How much do 100 km with an electric car cost?
With home charging, 100 km of range can cost approximately between €1.50 and €3.60 depending on the car, season, and tariff.
Can I charge from a regular socket?
Yes, but it is not recommended for regular charging. A regular socket is slower and not the best solution for long-term load. A safer option is a home charging station with a separate circuit and proper protections.
What kind of charging station do I need – 7.4 kW, 11 kW, or 22 kW?
It depends on the car and the electrical installation. For single-phase power supply, 7.4 kW is often used. For three-phase power supply, 11 kW is a very good option. 22 kW makes sense if the car and the installation allow such power.
Do I need an inspection before installation?
Yes. An inspection is the best way to determine the exact price, the correct cable, the route, the protections, and the appropriate power of the charging station.
Conclusion
Charging an electric car at home is the most convenient and cost-effective way for daily use. With a properly built installation and a suitable charging station, the car can be safely charged overnight and be ready to go in the morning.
Compared to public charging, home charging can be several times cheaper. Compared to gasoline or diesel, the cost per 100 km can be significantly lower.
If you are considering installing a charging station at home, ELSPOT can help you with choosing the right solution, inspection, installation, and service.
Request an inspection and receive an individual offer for a home charging station according to your car, property, and electrical installation.
www.elspot.bg
sales@elspot.bg
contact: 0890 488 808