The cost to charge an MG4 varies significantly depending on the type of charging you use, ranging from as little as 8 pence per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for home charging to up to 80 pence per kWh at rapid public chargers. Your total cost will depend on the electricity rate and the amount of energy your vehicle consumes.
MG4 Charging Costs Overview
To give you an exact understanding, here's a breakdown of typical costs per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for charging your MG4:
| Type of Charging | Price per kWh |
|---|---|
| Home Charging | 8p /kWh |
| Slow/Fast Charging | 56p /kWh |
| Rapid/Ultra-Rapid Charging | 80p /kWh |
These rates are per unit of electricity. To calculate the total cost, you'll multiply the amount of energy needed (in kWh) by the applicable price per kWh. For instance, charging an MG4 Long Range model (which has a 64 kWh usable battery capacity) from empty to full would cost approximately:
- At Home (8p/kWh): 64 kWh x £0.08 = £5.12
- At a Public Slow/Fast Charger (56p/kWh): 64 kWh x £0.56 = £35.84
- At a Public Rapid Charger (80p/kWh): 64 kWh x £0.80 = £51.20
(Note: These examples assume charging a full 64 kWh. Actual charging sessions rarely go from 0% to 100% and costs will vary based on your specific battery size and the percentage of charge added.)
Factors Influencing Your MG4 Charging Bill
Several factors can influence the final cost of charging your MG4 beyond the per kWh rates:
- Battery Size: MG4 models come with different battery capacities (e.g., 51 kWh, 64 kWh, or 77 kWh usable). A larger battery means more kWh are needed for a full charge, thus increasing the total cost at any given rate.
- Electricity Tariff (Home Charging): Your specific home electricity tariff plays a huge role. While the general rate for home charging is listed at 8p/kWh, your actual tariff might be higher or lower, especially if you're on a variable rate or a dedicated EV tariff with off-peak discounts.
- Public Network Provider: Prices at public charging stations can vary significantly between different charging networks (e.g., Zap-Map, Shell Recharge, Gridserve). Some networks offer subscriptions that reduce per kWh costs.
- Time of Day: Many public charging networks, and even some home tariffs, offer cheaper rates during off-peak hours (e.g., overnight). Charging during these times can significantly reduce your costs.
- State of Charge (SOC): You rarely charge a battery from completely empty. The cost reflects only the energy you add. Rapid chargers also tend to slow down as the battery fills, meaning it might take longer or be less efficient to charge the last few percent.
Maximizing Cost-Efficiency When Charging Your MG4
To keep your MG4 charging costs down, consider these practical insights:
- Prioritise Home Charging: Whenever possible, charging at home using a dedicated home charger is the most cost-effective solution.
- Utilize Off-Peak Tariffs: If your electricity provider offers an off-peak EV tariff, schedule your home charging sessions for these periods.
- Pre-Plan Rapid Charging: For longer journeys, use apps like Zapmap to locate and compare prices of rapid chargers along your route. Some apps allow you to filter by network and cost.
- Avoid Unnecessary Rapid Charging: While convenient, rapid and ultra-rapid charging is the most expensive option. Use it when necessary, but rely on slower, cheaper methods for daily charging.
Understanding these pricing structures and factors will help you manage the running costs of your MG4 efficiently. For more detailed information on charging your MG4, you can refer to resources like the MG 4 EV charging guide on Zapmap.
