Cost of public EV charging jumps 14% since June

Electric vehicle (EV) drivers have seen average charging costs increase by 14% since June, new data from Zap-Map suggests.

The analysis of more than 500,000 charging sessions per month, across approximately 70% of the charge points in the UK, show that in September 2022, the average weighted price of charging at a slow or fast charger was 39p/kWh, while the price for a rapid or ultra-rapid was 56p/kWh.

Prices for slow/fast charge points were up 15% from 34p/kWh in June 2022, with prices for rapid/ultra-rapid chargers up 14% in the same period, from 49p/kWh.

Wholesale electricity prices have increased dramatically in 2022, with the UK seeing a new record peak in September.

It has pushed charge point operators’ costs higher than ever, with these increasing costs inevitably being passed on to EV drivers using public networks.

Osprey Charging increased its rapid charging rate to £1/kWh in September, blaming the spiralling cost of wholesale electricity. 

It labelled the 50% hike from its previous rate of 66p/kWh unavoidable, but following Government intervention with the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, it has now announced that it will cut its rapid charging rate to 79p/kWh from (Tuesday) November 1,

Melanie Shufflebotham, co-founder and chief operating officer at Zap-Map, said: “Although the results of our survey show many EV drivers are keeping a close eye on the rising costs of electricity, it’s still significantly cheaper to run an electric car than a petrol or diesel vehicle.

“With cost savings front of mind for people across the country, the Zap-Map Price Index highlights that the price EV drivers pay varies a good deal across different charging scenarios.

“With more and more drivers switching to electric, the purpose of Zap-Map’s new Price Index is to keep track of the price that EV drivers pay when out and about, as well as how it varies across the different types of chargers. This will in turn help EV drivers to seek out the cheapest charging option and keep their costs firmly under control.”

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