29 April 2024
Electric vehicle charging prices across the public network were frozen across all speeds while petrol prices rose 0.63 ppl last month, according to The AA EV Recharge Report for March 2024*.
The freeze comes as one retailer has begun adding EV charging costs to 50 price boards displaying them alongside petrol and diesel prices**. The AA welcomes this move as it will highlight to drivers that there are more chargepoints than they perceive, can easily spot how much it costs and compare the price of refuelling versus the price to recharge.
AA EV Recharge Report, March 2024. Flat rates;
| Charger type | Speed (kW) |
March Ave (p/kWh) |
Feb Ave (p/kWh) | Difference (p/kWh) | Cost to charge 80% | Pence per mile (p/mile) |
| Domestic | Up to 7kW | 29 | 29 | 0 | £11.60 | 6.52 |
| Slow | Up to 7kW | 52 | 52 | 0 | £20.80 | 11.69 |
| Fast | 8-22 kW | 60 | 60 | 0 | £24.00 | 13.48 |
| Rapid | 23-100 kW | 74 | 74 | 0 | £29.60 | 16.63 |
| Ultra-rapid | +101 kW | 77 | 77 | 0 | £30.80 | 17.30 |
| Petrol | 145.26 ppl | 144.63 ppl | 0.63 ppl | £46.48 | 12.91 | |
AA EV Recharge Report, March 2024. Peak and Off-Peak rates;
| Charger type | Speed | March Ave (p/kWh) |
Feb Ave (p/kWh) | Difference (p/kWh) | Cost to charge to 80% | Pence per mile (p/mile) |
| Slow Off-Peak | Up to 7kW | 43 | 43 | 0 | £17.20 | 9.66 |
| Slow Peak | Up to 7kW | 67 | 67 | 0 | £26.80 | 15.06 |
| Fast Off-Peak | 8-22kW | 75 | 75 | 0 | £30.00 | 16.85 |
| Fast Peak | 8-22kW | 79 | 79 | 0 | £31.60 | 17.75 |
| Rapid Off-Peak | 23-100kW | 75 | 75 | 0 | £30.00 | 16.85 |
| Rapid Peak | 23-100kW | 79 | 79 | 0 | £31.60 | 17.75 |
| Ultra-rapid Off-Peak | +101kW | 56 | 56 | 0 | £22.40 | 12.58 |
| Ultra-rapid Peak | +101kW | 65 | 64 | 1 | £26.00 | 14.61 |
| Petrol | 145.26 ppl | 144.63 ppl | 0.63 ppl | £46.48 | 12.91 |
|
Government shuts down VAT ambition
As part of The AA’s Motoring Manifesto***, to assist the transition from petrol and diesel vehicles to EV, The AA has called for the rate of VAT across the public charging network to be reduced from 20% to 5%. This would equalise the rate with that applied to domestic energy costs and would act as an incentive to drivers without dedicated off-street parking to make the switch to an EV and charge at the kerbside outside their homes.
However, in a response to the House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee, the government have ruled out this measure as doing so “would impose additional pressure on the public finances to which VAT makes a significant contribution****.”.
“Prices that can be seen from the road will lead to good competition, and displaying them on price boards is great news.”
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for The AA, said; “The freeze in charging costs in March is much welcomed by EV drivers, and watched enviously by petrol and diesel drivers. With petrol heading towards 150 ppl in April, these drivers would give anything for some price stability.
“Prices that can be seen from the road will lead to good competition, and displaying them on price boards is great news. Not only will it show how cheap an EV is to run, it will raise the profile of chargepoints generally as drivers will notice there are more than they think.
“We are disappointed that the Government has decided to rule out equalising VAT between domestic and public EV charging at this stage. However, The AA will be campaigning on behalf of all drivers ahead of a General Election to make this ambition happen.”
* Average prices are the PAYG options without connection fee as at 13 March 2024. Subscriptions are available for all charge point speeds which can unlock a cheaper p/kWh, however rates vary across provider.
Calculations based on adding 80% to a Vauxhall e-Corsa, 50kW, with a WLTP range of 222 miles. Adding 80% range equates to 178 miles of range. Vauxhall e-Corsa specifications here: New_Corsa-CorsaYes_PSG_3_April_2024_Library.pdf (vauxhall.co.uk)
Calculations based on Vauxhall Corsa 1.2L (75PS) Petrol with a 40 litre tank. 80% refuel = 32 litres.
Petrol: 32 litres @ 145.26 ppl = £46.48. Combined MPG of 51.4 = 360 miles at 12.91 p/mile.
Vauxhall Corsa specifications here: New_Corsa-CorsaYes_PSG_3_April_2024_Library.pdf (vauxhall.co.uk)
** EG Group leads the charge on displaying electric prices | News | Forecourt Trader
*** AA Motoring Manifesto 2024 | AA (theaa.com)
**** committees.parliament.uk/publications/44339/documents/220433/default/