EV charging costs now 6p a mile cheaper than for petrol
- 1 May 2025
- 0
A plateau in petrol prices has left EV drivers able to charge at home with a 6p-a-mile advantage, AA’s latest EV Recharge Report reveals. The data for March
A plateau in petrol prices has left EV drivers able to charge at home with a 6p-a-mile advantage, AA’s latest EV Recharge Report reveals.
The data for March revealed that the average petrol price at pumps was 134.7p a litre – just 0.4p a litre below the low-point in March despite hopes of a larger fall. That left the cost per mile at around 11.8p a mile.
Those powering their EVs from home were able to benefit from a cost of no higher than 5.65p a mile under the energy price cap, even if they were on the worst case standard rate.
Variable rate kerbside charging delivers an average off-peak saving over petrol of nearly 2p a mile. And, when an unplanned charge is needed outside the home, average costs have dropped 5.8% to leave the cost at less than 3p a mile more than petrol.
However, off-peak rapid charging is still beating petrol by a penny a mile, now at 10.6p.
AA EV Recharge Report March 2025 – Flat Rates
| Charge Type | Speed | Mar Ave (p/kWh) | Feb Ave (p/kWh) | Difference (p/kWh) | Cost to add 80% charge | Pence per mile (p/mile) |
| Domestic | Up to 7kW | 25 | 25 | 0 | £10.00 | 5.65 |
| Slow | Up to 8kW | 50 | 50 | 0 | £20.00 | 11.30 |
| Fast | 8-49kW | 60 | 59 | 1 | £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 | 135.60 ppl | 139.80 ppl | -4.20 ppl | £43.39 | 11.86 | |
AA EV Recharge Report March 2025 – Peak and Off-Peak Rates
| Charge Type | Speed | Mar Ave (p/kWh) | Feb Ave (p/kWh) | Difference (p/kWh) | Cost to add 80% charge | Pence per mile (p/mile) |
| Slow Off-Peak | Up to 8kW | 44 | 44 | 0 | £17.60 | 9.94 |
| Slow Peak | Up to 8kW | 65 | 69 | -4 | £26.00 | 14.69 |
| Fast Off-Peak | 8-49kW | 54 | 54 | 0 | £21.60 | 12.20 |
| Fast Peak | 8-49kW | 85 | 85 | 0 | £34.00 | 19.21 |
| Rapid Off-Peak | 50-149kW | 54 | 54 | 0 | £21.60 | 12.20 |
| Rapid Peak | 50-149kW | 85 | 85 | 0 | £34.00 | 19.21 |
| Ultra-rapid Off-Peak | +150kW | 47 | 47 | 0 | £18.80 | 10.62 |
| Ultra-rapid Peak | +150kW | 65 | 65 | 0 | £26.00 | 14.69 |
| PETROL | 135.60 ppl | 139.80 ppl | -4.20 ppl | £43.39 | 11.86 | |
Latest statistics from the Department for Transport also reveal a rise in public charging infrastructure, showing a 28% increase in publicly available charge points over the last 12 months. There are a total of 76,507 charging devices, of which a fifth (20%) are classified as rapid or ultra-rapid, meaning drivers can stop and recharge their car quickly.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said: “The growth of charging infrastructure is encouraging. Eliminating range anxiety is key to help drivers who are considering making the switch to electric have more confidence in the national network. Word of mouth from family and friends has a big influence on future purchases, so hearing positive experiences with public charging can persuade others to consider an EV when they need to change their car.”
Average prices are the PAYG options without connection fee as at 24 March 2025. Subscriptions are available for all charge point speeds which can unlock a cheaper p/kWh, however rates vary across provider. EV calculations are based on adding 80% to a Vauxhall e-Corsa, 50kWh, with a WLTP range of 221 miles. Petrol calculations based on Vauxhall Corsa 1.2-litre (100hp) Petrol with a 40-litre tank and fuel at 135.6ppl.
