How much does it cost to charge an electric wheelchair?

Electric wheelchairs, also called powerchairs, give individuals with limited mobility the freedom to get out and about. A common question, however, is how much does it cost to charge and run an electric wheelchair? 

In this article, we have used the average cost of electricity per kilowatt hour (kWh) in the UK, as of January 2025.

How much does it cost to charge an electric wheelchair?

As of January 2025, you pay an average of 24.86 pence per kilowatt hour (kWh) for your electricity, if you are on the default tariff. 

The battery size commonly used in powerchairs is 50 amps and approximately 12 volts, which results in an approximate kWh of 0.6kWh.

Using these figures, we can estimate that the average cost to charge an electric wheelchair battery fully breaks down to:

• Weekly: £0.29
• Monthly: £1.17
• Annually: £14.11

It’s worth noting that these are average figures, and your exact costs may vary, depending on your battery type, size, and electrical tariff. 

How often should you charge your electric wheelchair?

Most modern powerchairs are fitted with lithium-ion batteries that can be left on charge. For this reason, we recommend charging your wheelchair whenever it isn’t in use, which for most people is at night time. At a minimum, we recommend you charge your electric wheelchair at least twice a week, to ensure it’s topped up and always ready to use. 

Typically, charging an electric wheelchair from flat to fully charged takes between 8 to 14 hours. The exact time should be stated in your chair’s user manual.

Tips for charging your electric wheelchair

• Charge in a well-ventilated area. To prevent your battery from overheating and to reduce the risk of fire, you should charge your powerchair batteries in a well-ventilated area and avoid covering the battery.
• Use the provided charger. You should always use the charger that was supplied with the chair, to avoid the risk of damaging the battery.
• Regularly inspect the charger and battery. Regularly inspecting the charging cable and the battery can avoid the risk of damage going unnoticed, which could lead to fire risk.

I trust this article has given you a clearer understanding of how to charge your electric wheelchair, and how much this costs. If you’d like to book a test drive a powerchair, just get in touch with one of our expert advisors – they’ll be very happy to help!

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