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Charging an electric car from a 3-pin plug: how many miles overnight?

Plugged in overnight for 8 hours, a 16 A commando socket adds between 35 and 145 miles depending on the model, one and a half times what a 3-pin plug limited to 10 A gives. The table shows the figure for every used electric car; the rest of the page covers what it takes to install one in the UK.

The essentials

  • A 3-pin plug charges at 10 A, about 2.3 kW. Electrical Safety First advises against standard sockets: a charge draws more current, for longer, than they and their wiring are designed for.
  • A blue 16 A commando socket goes up to 3.7 kW with a cable that takes it, on a dedicated circuit. A 13 A socket marked “BS1363/EV”, built for charging, stays at 10 A but is made to cope with the long hours.
  • A 7 kW home charger doubles the speed again if the car can take it. Since 2022 the law has required it to be a smart charger, which opens up suppliers’ overnight tariffs.

How many miles overnight, model by model

Miles added in 8 hours of charging. The top of each range uses the most efficient version of the model, at its WLTP consumption; the bottom, the least efficient, plus 25% for real-world use.

ModelYears3-pin plug (10 A)Commando socket (16 A)
Alfa Romeo Junior Elettricasince 202450 – 75 miles75 – 120 miles
Alpine A290since 202455 – 70 miles90 – 115 miles
Alpine A390since 202545 – 60 miles70 – 100 miles
Audi Q4 e-tronsince 202145 – 75 miles70 – 125 miles
Audi Q6 e-tronsince 202445 – 75 miles75 – 115 miles
Audi Q8 e-tron2023 – 202430 – 60 miles50 – 95 miles
Audi e-tron2019 – 202230 – 55 miles50 – 90 miles
Audi e-tron GTsince 202140 – 65 miles65 – 105 miles
BMW i32013 – 202255 – 75 miles90 – 120 miles
BMW i4since 202140 – 75 miles65 – 120 miles
BMW i5since 202345 – 80 miles70 – 125 miles
BMW i7since 202240 – 60 miles60 – 100 miles
BMW iXsince 202135 – 60 miles60 – 95 miles
BMW iX1since 202250 – 80 miles80 – 130 miles
BMW iX2since 202450 – 80 miles85 – 130 miles
BMW iX3since 202045 – 60 miles75 – 100 miles
BYD Atto 3since 202250 – 70 miles80 – 115 miles
BYD Dolphinsince 202360 – 70 miles90 – 115 miles
BYD Sealsince 202350 – 70 miles80 – 110 miles
Citroën C-Zero2010 – 202055 – 65 miles85 – 110 miles
Citroën ë-Berlingosince 202145 – 65 miles70 – 100 miles
Citroën ë-C3since 202455 – 70 miles85 – 110 miles
Citroën ë-C4since 202055 – 80 miles85 – 125 miles
Citroën ë-C4 Xsince 202360 – 80 miles95 – 125 miles
Citroën ë-Jumpysince 202035 – 50 miles55 – 75 miles
Citroën ë-SpaceTourersince 202035 – 50 miles55 – 75 miles
Cupra Bornsince 202150 – 75 miles80 – 125 miles
Cupra Tavascansince 202450 – 75 miles80 – 120 miles
DS DS 3 E-Tensesince 201950 – 75 miles80 – 120 miles
Dacia Springsince 202165 – 85 miles100 – 135 miles
Fiat 500esince 202060 – 90 miles100 – 140 miles
Fiat 600esince 202360 – 75 miles95 – 120 miles
Fiat Grande Pandasince 202555 – 70 miles85 – 110 miles
Fiat e-Doblòsince 202240 – 65 miles65 – 100 miles
Fiat e-Ducatosince 202130 – 45 miles45 – 70 miles
Ford E-Transitsince 202225 – 45 miles35 – 70 miles
Ford Explorer EVsince 202455 – 80 miles85 – 125 miles
Ford Mustang Mach-Esince 202145 – 70 miles70 – 110 miles
Honda e2020 – 202450 – 65 miles80 – 105 miles
Hyundai Instersince 202460 – 80 miles100 – 130 miles
Hyundai Ioniq 5since 202150 – 75 miles75 – 115 miles
Hyundai Ioniq 6since 202250 – 85 miles80 – 135 miles
Hyundai Ioniq Electric2016 – 202265 – 85 miles105 – 135 miles
Hyundai Kona Electric2018 – 202355 – 80 miles90 – 130 miles
Hyundai Kona Electric (2023)since 202355 – 80 miles85 – 125 miles
Jaguar I-Pace2018 – 202435 – 50 miles60 – 85 miles
Jeep Avengersince 202360 – 75 miles90 – 120 miles
Kia EV3since 202455 – 75 miles90 – 125 miles
Kia EV5since 202550 – 70 miles80 – 110 miles
Kia EV6since 202145 – 70 miles70 – 110 miles
Kia EV9since 202340 – 60 miles65 – 95 miles
Kia Niro EVsince 202255 – 75 miles90 – 115 miles
Kia Soul EV2014 – 201960 – 75 miles95 – 115 miles
Kia e-Niro2018 – 202260 – 75 miles90 – 120 miles
Kia e-Soul2019 – 202260 – 75 miles95 – 115 miles
Leapmotor T03since 202455 – 70 miles90 – 110 miles
Lexus UX 300esince 202055 – 70 miles85 – 110 miles
MG MG4since 202250 – 70 miles80 – 115 miles
MG MG5since 202250 – 65 miles80 – 105 miles
MG Marvel Rsince 202145 – 60 miles70 – 95 miles
MG ZS EVsince 201950 – 65 miles80 – 105 miles
Mazda MX-30since 202050 – 65 miles75 – 100 miles
Mercedes-Benz EQAsince 202150 – 80 miles75 – 125 miles
Mercedes-Benz EQBsince 202150 – 75 miles75 – 120 miles
Mercedes-Benz EQC2019 – 202435 – 55 miles60 – 85 miles
Mercedes-Benz EQEsince 202240 – 75 miles60 – 115 miles
Mercedes-Benz EQSsince 202145 – 70 miles75 – 115 miles
Mercedes-Benz EQVsince 202030 – 45 miles50 – 70 miles
Mercedes-Benz eVitosince 201930 – 55 miles50 – 85 miles
Mini Acemansince 202455 – 80 miles90 – 130 miles
Mini Cooper Esince 202465 – 80 miles100 – 130 miles
Mini Cooper SE2020 – 202450 – 75 miles85 – 120 miles
Mini Countryman Esince 202450 – 80 miles80 – 125 miles
Mitsubishi i-MiEV2010 – 202055 – 70 miles90 – 110 miles
Nissan Ariyasince 202245 – 65 miles75 – 105 miles
Nissan Leaf2010 – 202445 – 65 miles70 – 105 miles
Nissan Micrasince 202560 – 80 miles100 – 130 miles
Nissan Townstar EVsince 202245 – 65 miles70 – 100 miles
Nissan e-NV2002014 – 202235 – 45 miles55 – 70 miles
Opel Ampera-e2017 – 201960 – 70 miles95 – 115 miles
Opel Astra Electricsince 202360 – 75 miles95 – 125 miles
Opel Combo-esince 202145 – 65 miles70 – 100 miles
Opel Corsa-esince 201955 – 80 miles85 – 130 miles
Opel Mokka-esince 202150 – 75 miles80 – 120 miles
Opel Vivaro-esince 202035 – 50 miles50 – 75 miles
Peugeot e-2008since 201960 – 75 miles90 – 120 miles
Peugeot e-208since 201955 – 80 miles90 – 130 miles
Peugeot e-3008since 202450 – 70 miles80 – 110 miles
Peugeot e-308since 202360 – 75 miles95 – 125 miles
Peugeot e-5008since 202450 – 65 miles75 – 105 miles
Peugeot e-Expertsince 202035 – 50 miles55 – 75 miles
Peugeot e-Partnersince 202140 – 60 miles65 – 100 miles
Peugeot e-Riftersince 202145 – 60 miles70 – 100 miles
Peugeot iOn2011 – 202055 – 65 miles85 – 110 miles
Polestar 2since 202055 – 75 miles85 – 125 miles
Porsche Taycansince 201935 – 70 miles60 – 115 miles
Renault 4 E-Techsince 202560 – 75 miles90 – 125 miles
Renault 5 E-Techsince 202465 – 80 miles100 – 125 miles
Renault Kangoo E-Techsince 202145 – 60 miles70 – 95 miles
Renault Kangoo Z.E.2011 – 202150 – 65 miles80 – 100 miles
Renault Master E-Techsince 202435 – 55 miles55 – 85 miles
Renault Master Z.E.2018 – 202325 – 35 miles35 – 55 miles
Renault Mégane E-Techsince 202255 – 75 miles90 – 120 miles
Renault Scénic E-Techsince 202450 – 70 miles80 – 110 miles
Renault Twingo E-Tech2020 – 202455 – 70 miles90 – 115 miles
Renault Zoe2012 – 202450 – 65 miles80 – 105 miles
Smart #1since 202250 – 70 miles80 – 110 miles
Smart #3since 202450 – 70 miles85 – 110 miles
Smart EQ Forfour2017 – 202150 – 70 miles75 – 110 miles
Smart EQ Fortwo2017 – 202450 – 70 miles80 – 115 miles
Tesla Model 3since 201955 – 85 miles90 – 140 miles
Tesla Model Ssince 201250 – 65 miles80 – 105 miles
Tesla Model Xsince 201645 – 60 miles70 – 100 miles
Tesla Model Ysince 202055 – 75 miles85 – 115 miles
Toyota Proace Electricsince 202030 – 50 miles50 – 75 miles
Toyota bZ4Xsince 202255 – 80 miles90 – 130 miles
Volkswagen ID. Buzzsince 202240 – 60 miles65 – 100 miles
Volkswagen ID.3since 202055 – 80 miles85 – 125 miles
Volkswagen ID.4since 202045 – 70 miles75 – 115 miles
Volkswagen ID.5since 202250 – 75 miles80 – 120 miles
Volkswagen ID.7since 202350 – 85 miles80 – 135 miles
Volkswagen e-Golf2014 – 202060 – 75 miles90 – 120 miles
Volkswagen e-up!2013 – 202360 – 80 miles100 – 130 miles
Volvo C40 Rechargesince 202140 – 70 miles65 – 115 miles
Volvo EX30since 202350 – 65 miles80 – 110 miles
Volvo XC40 Rechargesince 202035 – 70 miles60 – 110 miles
Škoda Citigo e iV2019 – 202070 – 90 miles115 – 145 miles
Škoda Elroqsince 202455 – 75 miles85 – 120 miles
Škoda Enyaqsince 202050 – 80 miles80 – 125 miles

The car’s on-board charger and the cable can cap charging below these power levels. The catalogue does not yet record the on-board charger: before buying a home charger, check its rating on the manufacturer’s specification sheet.

WLTP consumption not recorded for: Citroën Ami, Mercedes-Benz Classe B Electric Drive, Nissan Leaf (2025), Renault Fluence Z.E., Renault Twizy.

On a used car, check the cable

From a socket, an electric car charges through a “mode 2” cable, the “granny charger”, whose control box sets the current drawn. Two things to check when you buy:

  • Is the cable included? It is not always in the boot. If it is missing, factor it into the negotiation.
  • Which plug does it have? A cable for a 3-pin plug charges at 10 A. For 16 A from a commando socket, you need a cable made for that plug. Electrical Safety First recommends the manufacturer’s own, or one from a reputable retailer.

The “mode 3” cable, with no control box, is for public charge points and home chargers. It does not plug into a socket.

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To replace a missing cable or charge from a commando socket, specialist shops sell charging cables.

See 3-pin charging cables at EV Cable Shop

Installing a charging socket

A new circuit is notifiable work. In England, Part P of the Building Regulations puts a new circuit under building control, unless the electrician belongs to a competent person scheme: they then notify the work themselves and give you a certificate.

Protection of its own for the charging point. BS 7671 (section 722) and the IET Code of Practice call for a Type A RCD with 6 mA DC fault detection, or a Type B RCD, plus protection against a broken neutral depending on the earthing arrangement.

Your distribution network operator (DNO) is told. A home charger follows the “connect and notify” rule: no prior application as long as the home’s demand stays under 60 A, and a notification after installation. For a plain socket, ask your DNO.

3-pin plug, EV socket or home charger?

The “BS1363/EV” socket. Electrical Safety First points to 13 A sockets built and tested for EV charging, more robust and marked “BS1363/EV”, to be supplied by a dedicated circuit. They keep the power of a 3-pin plug.

The rules for home chargers. The Smart Charge Points Regulations 2021 apply to car charge points sold since 30 June 2022, not to cables without a network connection: a granny charger is not covered.

The price. A 7 kW home charger, installed, costs £800 to £1,200 according to tradesperson comparison sites. A commando socket on a dedicated circuit costs less, but no independent price guide puts a figure on it: ask for a quote.

Charging overnight: EV tariffs

Several suppliers sell overnight tariffs for electric cars. They need a smart meter, and some control charging through the car or the home charger, which a cable on a socket does not always allow. Since 1 October 2026, VAT on domestic electricity has fallen from 5% to 0%. The cost of each mile is set out on the charging costs page.

Grants, leasehold and renting

  • The OZEV grant for renters and flat owners covers up to £500 of the cost of installing a charge point, provided you have private off-street parking. Another grant, for the same amount, is for homes without off-street parking, with a cable channel under the pavement. Both run until 31 March 2027.
  • Homeowners with a driveway no longer get a national grant. Scotland still helps some rural or island households, subject to income, through the Energy Saving Trust.
  • Landlords have their own OZEV grant, up to £500 per socket and 200 sockets in all.
  • If you are a leaseholder, no law yet gives you the right to a charge point: you need the agreement of the freeholder or the building’s managing agent, which the government has said it wants to make easier.
  • If you rent, get your landlord’s agreement in writing before any work; the OZEV grant is open to you.

Frequently asked questions

How many miles does an hour on a commando socket add?

At 3.7 kW, an hour of charging adds between 5 and 18 miles depending on the model, or between 35 and 145 miles over 8 hours overnight.

Do I need an electrician to install a charging socket?

A new circuit is notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations. An electrician registered with a competent person scheme notifies it themselves and gives you a certificate; otherwise, it has to go through building control.

Commando socket or home charger?

A 7 kW home charger charges twice as fast if the car can take it, and its smart function opens up overnight tariffs. If one night on a commando socket covers the next day’s journeys, a home charger only adds headroom.

Can I charge every day from a 3-pin plug?

Electrical Safety First advises against it on a standard socket and recommends a “BS1363/EV” socket on a dedicated circuit. Over 8 hours overnight, a 3-pin plug adds between 25 and 90 miles depending on the model.

Before you buy, the battery

The socket sets what a night puts back, the battery what the car keeps: a worn battery stores fewer miles. Remaining warranty, expected state of health: the checker answers for the model you have in mind.

Check a battery

Sources: Electrical Safety First, advice on electric vehicles; Halfords, Cord Plus cable product page; Planning Portal, charging and the Building Regulations; IET, Code of Practice for EV charging; SSEN and Electricity North West, connecting charge points; Smart Charge Points Regulations 2021; gov.uk, OZEV grants; Energy Saving Trust; Zemo Partnership, VAT on domestic electricity; WLTP consumption from the catalogue. Checked on 21 October 2026.