14 February 2023
The AA EV Recharge Report for January shows that the cost of flat rate charging on the public network fell by up to 8% compared to December, but more providers across all speeds have now introduced peak and off-peak rates.
The cost of public slow charging, typically carried out on lamppost chargers, fell by 8% to mirror the cost of domestic charging in January, while fast and rapid flat rates fell by 3% compared to December. Petrol pump prices in the same period fell 1.7%.
By expanding the research carried out by the AA EV Recharge Report to account for 18 charge point operators1 it has discovered that providers at all speeds are now offering peak and off-peak rates across the public network.
Peak rates across all speeds exceed 70 p/kWh, with fast and rapid peak rates the most expensive on the market, however all providers determine their peak times differently so EV drivers should check the costs prior to plugging in.
AA EV Recharge Report – January 2023 (All PAYG prices not including connection fees where applicable)
| Charger type | Speed (kW) | Jan Ave (p/kWh)2 | Dec Ave (p/kWh) | Difference (p/kWh) | Cost to charge 80%3 | Pence per mile (p/mile) |
| Domestic | Up to 7kW | 34 | 34 | 0 | £13.60 | 7.64 |
| Slow (Flat rate) | Up to 7kW | 34 | 37 | -3 | £13.60 | 7.64 |
| Fast | 8-22 kW | 53 | 55 | -2 | £21.20 | 11.91 |
| Rapid | 23-100 kW | 66 | 68 | -2 | £26.40 | 14.83 p/mile |
| Ultra-rapid | +101 kW | 71 | 70 | 1 | £28.00 | 15.96 p/mile |
AA EV Recharge Report (Peak/Off-Peak Rates) – January 2023 (All PAYG prices not including connection fees where applicable)
| Charger type | Speed | Jan Ave (p/kWh) | Cost to charge to 80%3 | Pence per mile (p/mile) |
| Domestic | Up to 7kW | 34 | £13.60 | 7.64 |
| Slow Off-Peak | Up to 7kW | 37 | £14.80 | 8.31 |
| Slow Peak | Up to 7kW | 72 | £28.80 | 16.18 |
| Fast Off-Peak | 8-22kW | 57 | £22.80 | 12.81 |
| Fast Peak | 8-22kW | 75 | £30.00 | 16.85 |
| Rapid Off-Peak | 23-100kW | 57 | £22.80 | 12.81 |
| Rapid Peak | 23-100kW | 75 | £30.00 | 16.85 |
| Ultra-rapid Off-Peak | +101kW | 60 | £24.00 | 13.48 |
| Ultra-rapid Peak | +101kW | 74 | £29.60 | 16.63 |
Falling energy costs outstrip falling pump prices
While average petrol pump prices fell by 1.7% in January to 148.80 pence per litre (ppl), the cost per mile of running a petrol car came to 14.21 pence per mile (p/mile)4. EV drivers exclusively using peak rate charge or flat rate rapid and ultra-rapid chargers will lose out, but most will only use rapid charging as a top up on long journeys or peak charging rates if there are few alternatives.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy & EV charging, said; “The slight fall in electricity prices has been reflected in the flat rate prices EV drivers pay. The speed in which the prices fell is encouraging and hopefully means the ‘rocket and feather’ approach to wholesale costs experienced in petrol prices won’t be adopted by charge point operators.
“However, we believe OFGEM needs to keep a watchful eye on peak rate costs to ensure they don’t escalate to the point where it puts drivers off using them. Whilst we understand the reasons why peak rates exist, the price needs to be reasonable in relation to the speed of charge.”
1. AA analysed 18 charge point providers accounting for more than 12,000 devices. Latest DfT figures showed 34,637 publicly available devices: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/electric-vehicle-charging-device-statistics-october-2022/electric-vehicle-charging-device-statistics-october-2022
2. Average prices are the PAYG options without connection fee as at 26 January 2023. Subscriptions are available for all charge point speeds which can unlock a cheaper p/kWh, however rates vary across provider.
3. 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: Corsa_Spec_ePG_5_January_2023.pdf (vauxhall.co.uk)
4. Calculations based on Vauxhall Corsa 1.2L (75PS) Petrol with a 40 litre tank. 80% refuel = 32 litres.
Petrol: 32 litres @ 148.80 ppl = £47.62. Combined MPG of 47.9 = 335 miles at 14.21 p/mile.