What is EV Charging (Solar)?
Using solar-generated electricity to charge an electric vehicle, significantly reducing running costs.
Quick Answer
Solar-powered EV charging is increasingly popular in the UK. The OZEV (Office for Zero Emission Vehicles) offers grants towards home EV chargers for qualifying properties. Smart chargers like the Zappi can automatically divert surplus solar power to your car. A 4kWp solar system can provide 3,000–5,000 km of driving per year from solar alone. Combined solar+EV savings can exceed £2,000 per year compared to grid electricity and petrol.
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
EV Charging (Solar) Explained
Solar EV charging means using electricity from your solar panels to charge an electric vehicle. Smart EV chargers can be configured to charge primarily when solar production is high, maximising self-consumption. Charging an EV with solar electricity costs effectively nothing (once the solar system is paid off), compared to around 25p/kWh from the grid or £1.40–1.60/litre for petrol. A typical EV needs 15–30 kWh per 100km.
How Does EV Charging (Solar) Work in the UK?
Solar-powered EV charging is increasingly popular in the UK. The OZEV (Office for Zero Emission Vehicles) offers grants towards home EV chargers for qualifying properties. Smart chargers like the Zappi can automatically divert surplus solar power to your car. A 4kWp solar system can provide 3,000–5,000 km of driving per year from solar alone. Combined solar+EV savings can exceed £2,000 per year compared to grid electricity and petrol.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I charge my EV with solar panels in the UK?
Yes. A smart charger like the Zappi diverts surplus solar power to your car. A 4kWp system can provide 3,000–5,000 km of free driving per year from solar.
Related Guides
John Rooney is the founder of Solar Info and has been covering the UK solar energy market since 2023. He researches every battery and inverter brand against manufacturer datasheets, MCS and Ofgem data, and feedback from the MCS-certified installers in our directory before publishing.