Cost of using kerbside public charging falls substantially in June

Electric vehicle (EV) drivers, without access to off-road parking, saw costs for using kerbside public chargers fall in June.   

The rate for peak rate slow charging (up to 8kW) decreased by 8p/kWh in the month, from an average of 67p/kW to 57p/kW – a 12% fall.

Similarly, off-peak slow charging fell by 3p/kWh, from an average of 45p/kW to 42p/kW, over the same period.

The new data, from The AA EV Recharge Report for June, shows that EV drivers who charge overnight from a kerbside charger are typically saving 3.3p a mile compared to equivalent petrol costs.

For drivers using slow chargers during off-peak hours, it equates to 9.49p per mile.

In comparison, petrol drivers were paying 12.85 pence per mile despite pump prices falling 3.40 pence per litre in the month.

Those with their own domestic supply are saving at least 7.4p a mile on a flat-rate tariff.

Elsewhere, flat rate slow and fast charging costs dropped by 1p/kWh, however flat rate rapid charging prices rose by 2p/kWh.

June flat rates

Source: AA EV Recharge Report

June peak and off-peak rates 

Source: AA EV Recharge Report

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA, said: “The fall in peak and off-peak slow charging prices is excellent news for those EV drivers without any off-street parking.

“Considering 40% of households don’t have their own driveway or parking space, keeping residential charging prices low is vital to help prospective EV owners make the switch.”

Charging infrastructure development 

The Labour Government is expected to set binding targets on charge point installations before tasking regions and local bodies to deliver the rollout, as set out in its Automotive Strategy. 

According to the latest data from the Department for Transport (DfT), there are many regions across Northern Ireland, Eastern and Northern England that currently fall within the bottom 20% of councils when it comes to the number of public chargers per 100,000.

Cousens concluded: “During the election campaign, Labour often spoke about their intention to decarbonise the transport sector, especially cars.

“There is much for the new Government to do on the road to decarbonisation, but they can tap into some early wins such as cutting VAT on public charging to reduce prices further, while providing more localised support to build chargers in areas where the infrastructure gap is widening.”