The AA has launched its new monthly AA EV Recharge Report, analysing the pay-as-you-go (PAYG) pricing across all charge point speeds available on the public charging network.
The report takes the average prices of more than 6,000 publicly available charging units across the UK, around a fifth of all devices (17%), to help drivers understand the cost of charging and help them determine the speed of charge needed while out on the road.
The report will give drivers an initial insight into charge point costs they can expect to keep their electric vehicle (EV) running without subscriptions, said the AA.
Edmund King, AA president, said: “We are pleased to launch an EV version of our much-acclaimed Fuel Price Report. This report will help educate and inform drivers looking to switch to an EV and show how the cost of charging moves over time.”
The November 2022 report confirms that domestic charging is the cheapest option for EV owners, even with prices on the Governments capped levels. Domestic charging is also half the price of ultra-rapid options.
The report also found that ‘fast charging’ is on average cheaper than ‘slow charging’.
‘Slow charging’ is usually found in on-street locations such as lampposts, whereas fast chargers can be found in car parks where people intend to stay for several hours.
Fast chargers also represent the most common charge point in the public network outnumbering rapid and ultra-rapid devices by more than three-to-one.
However, slow charging providers often offer a subscription service which unlocks rates lower than the average fast charging price.
For those that do not have any form of personal dedicated off-street charging, running a diesel is cheaper at 13.25 pence per mile (p/mile).
In contrast, all but ultra-rapid chargers, petrol is more expensive on a pence per mile basis (14.62 p/mile), but EV drivers using a combination of domestic charging and ultra-rapid top-ups is cheaper than running a petrol or diesel car.
Jack Cousens, the AA’s recharging spokesman, said: “Surprisingly, fast chargers are on average cheaper than slow charging, but subscription offers for on-street lampposts can be found with deals around 29 p/kWh.
“Most people will opt for pay as you go rates when away from home, especially if they top their EV up at rapid and ultra-rapid chargers. While the cost of recharging will always be cheaper than refuelling, EVs can lose out to diesel cars when looking at the pence per mile cost.
“However, those with a home charger reap the rewards of the cheapest rates possible. Many can also enjoy discounted rates if their energy provider offers an off-peak tariff for overnight charging.”
AA EV Recharge Report – November 2022
|
Charger type |
Speed (kW) |
Lowest price (p/kWh)2 |
Highest price (p/kWh)2 |
Average price (p/kWh)2 |
Cost to charge 80% at Ave p/kWh3 |
Pence per mile (p/mile) |
|
Domestic |
3-7 kW |
Using price cap |
34 p/kWh |
£20.94 |
7.99 p/mile |
|
|
Slow |
Up to 7kW |
35 p/kWh |
69 p/kWh |
54 p/kWh |
£33.26 |
12.69 p/mile |
|
Fast |
8-22 kW |
35 p/kWh |
75 p/kWh |
49 p/kWh |
£30.18 |
11.52 p/mile |
|
Rapid |
23-100 kW |
35 p/kWh |
79 p/kWh |
60 p/kWh |
£36.96 |
14.11 p/mile |
|
Ultra-rapid |
+101 kW |
55 p/kWh |
79 p/kWh |
69 p/kWh |
£42.50 |
16.22 p/mile |
> Interested in comparing electric vehicle data? Check out our EV tool.
> Interested in ensuring the efficient use of EVs. Check out our dedicated editorial sections: Insight & policy | EV news | Charging & infrastructure | Costs & incentives | Benefit-in-kind | EV case studies | EV road tests
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Jessica is event and digital content co-ordinator for all our events.
She was the web producer at Fleet News, Commercial Fleet and Smart Transport until April 2023.
She started her career as a content writer for a digital marketing agency that specialised in financial services, where she worked for more than two years.
Jessica was awarded the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Multimedia Journalism in 2017.
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