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."
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