AA EV Recharge Report October 2025

Chancellor urged to reduce public charging costs to increase EV uptake – AA EV Recharge Report

  • Costs remain static across with minor changes in peak and off-peak slow charging
  • VAT disparity on home and public charging leads to a ‘pavement tax’
  • The AA asks Chancellor to maintain Business Rate discount for charging bays
  • “A cut in VAT would help give confidence to drivers” says AA’s head of roads policy

25 November 2025

Public charging costs remain largely static in October, as The AA’s EV Recharge Report calls on the Chancellor to help reduce charging prices further in her Budget tomorrow.

With the exception of peak and off-peak slow charging costs, typically found in urban areas where residents do not have a driveway, prices remained the same as September 2025.

One of the reasons drivers are switching to EVs are the cheaper running costs, but they differ between owners who can charge at home compared to those who have to use the public network.

AA EV Recharge Report, October 2025. Flat rates;

Charge

Type

Speed

Oct Ave

(p/kWh)

Sep Ave

(p/kWh)

Difference

(p/kWh)

Cost to add

80% charge

Pence per mil

(p/mile)

 Domestic Up to 7kW 26 26 0 £10.40 5.88
Slow Up to 8kW 50 50 0 £20.00 11.30
Fast 8-49kW 61 61 0 £24.40 13.79
Rapid 50-149kW 73 73 0 £29.20 16.50
Ultra-rapid + 150kW 78 78 0 £31.20 17.63
             
PETROL  135.30 ppl 135.20 ppl 0.10 ppl £43.30 11.83

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

Charge Type  Speed

Oct Ave

(p/kWh)

Sep Ave

(p/kWh)

Difference

(p/kWh)

Cost to add

80% charge

Pence per mile

(p/mile)

Slow Off-peak

Up to 8kW 45 44 1 £18.00 10.17
Slow Peak Up to 8kW 59 55 4 £23.60 13.33
Fast Off-peak 8-49kW 45 45 0 £18.00 10.17
Fast Peak 8-49kW 50 50 0 £20.00 11.30
Rapid Off-Peak 50-149kW 55 55 0 £22.00 12.43
Rapid Peak 50-149kW 74 74 0 £29.60 16.72
Ultra-rapid Off-Peak +150kW 50 50 0 £20.00 11.30
Ultra-rapid Peak +150kW 59 59 0 £23.60 13.33
             
PETROL 135.30 ppl 135.20 ppl 0.10 ppl £43.30 11.83

With the Budget tomorrow, one simple action the Chancellor is being encouraged to take is to equalise VAT across the public network. Domestic energy has a VAT rate of 5% compared to 20% away from home. A reduction in VAT could save EV drivers around £5 a charge at the fastest speeds (80% charge at 65p/kWh = £26.00 compared to £31.20 at 78p/kWh).

As well as cutting VAT, The AA is asking the Chancellor to maintain the 100% business rate discount on public charging bays. Adding business rates would mean costs being passed onto drivers at a time when consumers are being encouraged to switch to electric.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for The AA, said; “The Chancellor has the opportunity to help make the case for EVs more compelling by cutting the costs of charging across the public network. A cut in VAT would help give confidence to drivers.

“While the new EV grant has helped people make the switch, they are annoyed that the rate of VAT they pay on their home electricity bills is lower than the electricity drawn on the public network. Those without a driveway feel this difference more than most.

“Policies to help the uptake of EVs will be welcome, including the retention of the business rate discount on charging bays, as well as more help to install pavement gullies. This would allow more people to charge from home, where rates are at their cheapest.”


* Average prices are the PAYG options without connection fee as at 27 October 2025. Subscriptions are available for all charge point speeds which can unlock a cheaper p/kWh, however rates vary across provider. Peak and off-peak times vary between chargepoint operators. Domestic charging uses the OFGEM energy price cap as the default rate to showcase the worst possible home tariff.

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_(N)PSG_MY26_1_October_Library.pdf

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

Petrol: 32 litres @ 135.20 ppl = £43.26. Combined Low MPG of 52.3 = 366 miles at 11.82 p/mile.

Vauxhall Corsa specifications here: Corsa_(N)PSG_MY26_1_October_Library.pdf