Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming an increasingly popular choice for UK drivers. Lower running costs, reduced emissions and a smoother driving experience all make EV ownership attractive. However, many new EV owners quickly discover that how and where you charge your vehicle has a significant impact on your overall cost per mile.
This is where solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and home EV charging come together. When intelligently combined, they can dramatically reduce the cost of driving while increasing energy independence and protecting you from rising electricity prices.
Understanding the True Cost per Mile of an EV
At first glance, charging an EV from the grid already looks cheaper than filling up with petrol or diesel. However, electricity tariffs vary widely, and peak time charging can still be relatively expensive.
For example:
- A typical EV consumes around 3-4 miles per kWh
- At a standard electricity rate, charging from the grid might cost 7-10 pence per mile
- Public rapid chargers can be significantly more expensive
By contrast, electricity generated by your own solar PV system can reduce this cost to just a few pence a mile, or even less.
How Solar PV Generates Power for Your EV
Solar PV panels convert daylight into electricity that can be used immediately in your home. If you are charging your EV during daylight hours, your vehicle can be powered directly by the sun.
Key advantages include:
- Solar energy is free once the system is installed
- You avoid buying electricity from the grid during charging
- Excess solar generation can be diverted to your EV rather than exported
Even in the South East, solar PV systems produce meaningful energy across most of the year, not just during summer months.
Smart EV Charging: Making the Most of Solar
Modern EV chargers can be configured to work intelligently with solar PV systems. Rather than charging at full power regardless of where the electricity comes from, smart chargers prioritise solar energy whenever it is available.
This means:
- Your EV charges automatically when solar output is high
- Grid electricity is only used when necessary
- Charging can be slowed or paused to match solar generation
For drivers who work from home or charge vehicles during the day, this setup can significantly reduce reliance on grid electricity.
Reducing Cost per Mile: A Practical Example
Consider a household with:
- A 4kW solar PV system
- An EV driven 8,000 miles per year
- Average efficiency of 4 miles per kWh
That vehicle requires approximately 2,000 kWh per year.
If even half of that energy comes from solar:
- 1,000 kWh is effectively free
- The remaining energy can be charged overnight on off-peak EV tariffs
The result is a substantial reduction in annual driving costs, compared to grid only charging, and an even greater saving compared to petrol or diesel vehicles.
Protection Against Rising Energy Prices
One of the most overlooked benefits of combining solar PV with EV charging is price stability. Grid electricity prices have been volatile in recent years. By generating your own power you reduce exposure to future price increases and gain long term certainty over charging costs. This results in your cost per mile being more predictable, allowing you to budget better for long trips and regular charging. Solar PV systems typically last up to 40 years, meaning decades of lower cost driving.
Adding Battery Storage for Even Greater Savings
For EV owners who primarily charge in the evening, battery storage can enhance the benefits of solar PV. A home battery allows you to:
- Store excess solar energy generated during the day
- Use that energy to charge your EV later
- Further minimise grid electricity use
When combined with off peak tariffs, battery storage can reduce charging costs even when solar generation is low.
Environmental Benefits That Go Beyond Cost
Charging an EV from solar power is not just the cheaper option, it’s cleaner too. Benefits include:
- Lower lifecycle emissions per mile
- Reduced strain on the national grid
- A genuinely renewable transport solution
For environmentally conscious drivers, solar powered EV charging aligns financial savings with sustainability goals, reducing your reliance on fossil fuel produced power from the grid.
Why SolarTherm UK?
At SolarTherm UK, we specialise in designing integrated solar PV and EV charging solutions tailored to real world driving habits. Our approach includes:
- Assessing your vehicle usage and charging patterns
- Designing solar systems that maximise self-consumption
- Installing smart EV chargers compatible with solar PV
- Providing long term support and advice
Whether you are a new EV owner or planning ahead, we help ensure your system delivers meaningful reductions in cost per mile.
Final Thoughts
Electric vehicles already offer a cost effective alternative to traditional petrol or diesel cars. By combining EV ownership with solar PV and smart charging, drivers can take the next step, transforming their car into a vehicle powered largely by free, renewable energy.
For many households, this is the most effective way to achieve the lowest possible cost per mile while future proofing against rising energy prices.
If you would like to explore how solar PV and EV charging could work for your home, SolarTherm UK would be pleased to help. Contact us today for a free, no obligation quote and design, tailored to your property, usage and future energy needs. No hard sell, just honest, expert advice.
Your home. Your energy. Your future.
