AA EV Recharge Report May 2025

Ultra-rapid charging costs fall as Iran-Israel conflict drives up pump prices

  • Peak and off-peak ultra-rapid charging rates fell by 2p/kWh in May
  • Even before the Middle East crisis, EV advantage over petrol was at least 5.5p/mile for domestic charging and 1.4p/mile for off-peak ultra charges
  • “EV drivers enjoy protection from oil price fluctuations”, says AA’s head of roads policy

27 June 2025

As pump prices began to show volatility in the shadow of the Israel and Iranian conflict, EV drivers were already experiencing a 2p drop in peak and off-peak charging at the fastest speeds, according to The AA EV Recharge Report1 for May 2025.

Petrol prices fell towards a four-year low of 132p a litre in May, bottoming out in early June, and knocked off 2.3 pence a litre in a month. However, that benefit is now disappearing as the impact of the Iran-Israel starts to show at the pumps. In the past week, average prices at forecourts have risen by around 2p a litre. While uncertainty in the region remains, drivers of electric cars are benefitting from comparatively stable electricity prices.

Better still for EV owners, while May’s slow, fast and rapid charging prices held or saw reductions across the public charging network, the OFGEM energy price cap2 is set to fall further on 2 July. That raises hopes of a widespread boost for summer holiday EV travel.

Sadly, EV take-up among private car owners is not being helped by government policy, as detailed below.

AA EV Recharge Report, May 2025. Flat rates;

Charge

Type

Speed

May Ave

(p/kWh)

Apr Ave

(p/kWh)

Difference

(p/kWh)

Cost to add

80% charge

Pence per mil

(p/mile)

Domestic Up to 7kW 27 27 0 £10.80 6.10
Slow Up to 8kW 50 50 0 £20.00 11.30
Fast 8-49kW 60 60 0 £24.00 13.56
Rapid 50-149kW 74 74 0 £29.60 16.72
Ultra-rapid + 150kW 78 78 0 £31.20 17.63
PETROL 132.30 ppl 134.60 ppl -230 ppl £42.34 11.57

 

AA EV Recharge Report, May 2025. Peak and Off-Peak rates;

Charge Type Speed

May Ave

(p/kWh)

Apr Ave

(p/kWh)

Difference

(p/kWh)

Cost to add

80% charge

Pence per mile

(p/mile)

Slow Off-peak

Up to 8kW 43 43 0 £17.20 9.72
Slow Peak Up to 8kW 58 58 0 £23.20 13.11
Fast Off-peak 8-49kW 54 54 0 £21.60 12.20
Fast Peak 8-49kW 87 85 2 £34.80 19.66
Rapid Off-Peak 50-149kW 54 54 0 £21.60 12.20
Rapid Peak 50-149kW 87 85 2 £34.80 19.66
Ultra-rapid Off-Peak +150kW 47 47 -2 £18.00 10.17
Ultra-rapid Peak +150kW 63 65 -2 £25.20 14.24
PETROL 132.30ppl 134.60 ppl -2.30 ppl £42.34 11.57

Help to buy needed to stimulate new private purchases

With just over five years before the 2030 sales restrictions on new petrol and diesel cars, The AA is reiterating its call for the government to help stimulate sales of new electric vehicles by creating or supporting an incentive 3.

Although figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that monthly EV sales are strong, these are heavily supported by cars bought by fleets or businesses. Private individuals choosing electric cars are not as progressive as they could be as many comparable models are considerably more expensive than their fossil fuel counterparts.

"there needs to be a targeted effort to help more drivers make the switch to EVs if the only stumbling block is the initial purchase price."
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for The AA

The AA has long called a ‘help to buy’ scheme, such as 0% loans or a reduction in VAT which has recently been supported by the SMMT 4.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for The AA, said; “With the potential for fuel prices to rise in the short term, EV drivers are protected from daily oil price fluctuations. The price of electricity should be cheaper, yet electric vehicle owners benefit greatly from a commodity that offers better stability and uniformity.

“The 2p cut in ultra-rapid charging is a good start ahead of the summer holidays, but more needs to be done to bring down the cost of charging on the public network. The planned reduction to the energy price cap will help drivers charging on their driveway, but the cost in wholesale energy needs to be felt when charging away from home.

“Similarly, there needs to be a targeted effort to help more drivers make the switch to EVs if the only stumbling block is the initial purchase price. At the moment, company car drivers and those with access to salary sacrifice schemes are propping up the new EV market. Ultimately, the more new EV sales that can be made leads to a strong used car market where most UK car sales are made.

“We are pleased that the SMMT has backed our calls for new car incentives, and we urge the government to act as soon as possible to help the EV transition.”


1. Average prices are the PAYG options without connection fee as at 30 May 2025. 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 221 miles. Adding 80% range equates to 178 miles of range. Vauxhall e-Corsa specifications here: Corsa_PSG_MY25_13_June_Library.pdf

Calculations based on Vauxhall Corsa 1.2L (100PS) Petrol with a 40 litre tank. 80% refuel = 32 litres.

Petrol: 32 litres @ 132.30 ppl = £42.34. Combined Low MPG of 52.3 = 366 miles at 11.57 p/mile.

Vauxhall Corsa specifications here: Corsa_PSG_MY25_13_June_Library.pdf

2. Energy price cap | Ofgem

3. The AA Motoring Manifesto

4. Spending Review can renew EV ambitions - SMMT