Electric vehicles (EVs) are no longer just the future — they’re becoming the present. But if you're driving an EV and still charging it with electricity from the grid, are you really going green?

Pairing your EV with solar panels makes a lot of sense — both financially and environmentally. Here’s how the two technologies work together and why they’re a match made in clean energy heaven.

1. 🌞 Charge Your EV With Free Solar Energy

Once your solar panels are installed, the electricity they generate is free to use. So instead of paying rising grid prices to charge your EV, you can top up your car using power from the sun.

• Drive on sunshine: Zero fuel costs, zero emissions.
• Reduce your reliance on fossil fuels, especially as energy prices continue to climb.

And if you’re home during the day — or using smart charging or a home battery — you can really maximise your solar usage.

2. 💸 Slash Your Running Costs

EVs already cost much less to run than petrol or diesel cars, and solar takes those savings even further.

Here’s what you’re potentially avoiding:

• Rising electricity tariffs
• Public EV charging rates (which can be much higher)
• Fuel prices altogether

Over the course of a year, charging your EV with solar could save you hundreds in energy costs — and thousands over the lifetime of the car.

3. 🔋 Use a Home Battery to Optimise Charging

Adding a home battery into the mix allows you to:

• Store excess solar during the day
• Charge your car at night using that stored energy
• Avoid peak-time tariffs
• Provide backup power to your home in a blackout

With smart chargers and battery systems, you can even set your car to automatically charge when your solar is producing or when grid prices are lowest.

4. 🌍 Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Driving an EV is already a cleaner choice, but when you charge it with solar, you:

• Cut out carbon emissions entirely
• Avoid relying on grid electricity that might come from gas or coal
• Help create a more sustainable energy system overall

It’s one of the most effective steps you can take toward net-zero living.

5. 📈 Boost Your Property Value and Future-Proof Your Home

With the upcoming ban on new petrol and diesel cars (currently set for 2035 in the UK), EVs are only going to become more mainstream — and homes with the ability to charge and power them sustainably will become increasingly desirable.

A home with solar PV, EV charging, and battery storage is:

• More efficient
• More self-sufficient
• Better prepared for future energy needs

Whether you’re planning to stay for years or thinking about resale value, it’s an investment in your property.

🔧 How We Can Help

At Paynes, we design and install:

• ☀️ Solar PV systems
• 🔋 Home battery storage
• 🔌 EV charge points (including smart charging options)

We’ll help you find the best solution for your home, lifestyle, and energy goals — whether you already own an EV or are planning ahead.