Home Charging vs Public Charging — Which Saves You More?

"Is it cheaper to charge my EV at home or at a public station?" — We crunch the numbers on cost-per-km, convenience, and total 5-year ownership cost for both options in India.

Cost Per kWh: Home vs Public

Home charging on a domestic slab tariff runs roughly ₹3.00–₹8.00/kWh across South India — KSEB in Kerala, BESCOM/MESCOM/CESC in Karnataka, TNPDCL in Tamil Nadu and TGSPDCL in Telangana all use similar slab structures. Public AC charging typically lands around ₹10–₹14/kWh, and public DC fast charging around ₹18–₹24/kWh. Home charging is significantly cheaper — up to 70–85% less than public DC fast charging. (Kerala readers: see the detailed KSEB tariff chart.)

The Convenience Factor

Home charging: plug in when you arrive, unplug when you leave. Zero detour time. Public charging: drive to a station, wait 20–45 minutes (DC) or 2–4 hours (AC). The time cost is real — factor it into your decision.

5-Year Total Cost of Ownership

For a car driven 12,000 km/year consuming 15 kWh/100 km: Home charging only: charger investment ₹35,000–₹50,000 + electricity at domestic slab rates over 5 years = significantly less than public charging. Public DC fast charging only: ₹0 equipment but ₹18–₹24/kWh adds up quickly. Home charging saves substantially — contact us for a personalised cost comparison.

When Public Charging Makes Sense

Road trips and long-distance travel. Apartment residents without home charging access. Occasional top-ups during the day. Our driver platform finds the nearest charger with real-time availability.

Our Recommendation

Install a home charger for 80–90% of your charging needs, and use public DC fast chargers for long trips and emergencies. This hybrid approach gives you the best of both worlds: lowest cost per km at home and convenience on the road.