Home charging costs drop 12% but public charging prices rise, finds AA

By / 1 year ago / UK News / No Comments

Costs for charging an EV at home fell by 4p per kWh in July but public flat rate charging prices increased, according to the latest AA EV Recharge Report.

The new energy price gap knocked 11.8% off charging an EV at home in July but charging on the street outside homes stayed static at best

On 1 July, the new Energy Price Cap fell from an average of 34p/kWh to 30p/kWh. However, all flat-rate public charging costs rose by at least a penny compared to June, with slow rate on average rising by 4 pence to 48 p/kWh due to a big rise in one city.

Slow charging in residential areas through lampposts actually remained largely static across the country – but due to the council-announced increase in Brighton and Hove (up 56% from 39p/kWh to 61p/kWh), the average kerbside cost across the country went up 4p per kWh

Meanwhile, all peak and off-peak rates of charging in the public realm remained static offering some comfort to EV owners.

AA EV Recharge Report, July 2023. Flat rates:

Charge Type Speed Jul Ave (p/kWh) Jun Ave (p/kWh) Difference (p/kWh) Cost to charge to 80% Pence per mile (p/mile)  
Domestic Up to 7kW 30 34 -4 £12.00 6.74  
Slow Up to 7kW 48 44 4 £19.20 10.79  
Fast 8-22kW 56 55 1 £22.40 12.58  
Rapid 23-100kW 69 68 1 £27.60 15.51  
Ultra-rapid +101kW 72 71 1 £28.80 16.18  
               
PETROL 145.00 ppl 143.86 ppl 1.14 ppl £46.40 13.85

AA EV Recharge Report, July 2023. Peak and Off-Peak rates:

Charge Type Speed Jul Ave (p/kWh) Jun Ave (p/kWh) Difference (p/kWh) Cost to charge to 80% Pence per mile (p/mile)  
Slow Off-Peak Up to 7kW 33 33 0 £13.20 7.42  
Slow Peak Up to 7kW 53 53 0 £21.20 11.91  
Fast Off-Peak 8-22kW 75 75 0 £30.00 16.85  
Fast Peak 8-22kW 79 79 0 £31.60 17.75  
Rapid Off-Peak 23-100kW 75 75 0 £30.00 16.85  
Rapid Peak 23-100kW 79 79 0 £31.60 17.75  
Ultra-rapid Off-Peak +101kW 57 57 0 £22.80 12.81  
Ultra-rapid Peak +101kW 65 65 0 £26.00 14.61  
               
PETROL 145.00 ppl 143.86 ppl 1.14 ppl £46.40 13.85

The data also reveals that flat-rate slow charging is now at its highest point this year. With domestic energy prices falling and OFGEM reporting that wholesale electricity prices are down considerably from the same time last year, EV drivers may feel disappointed that public realm charging has not fallen.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said; “The majority of EV owners have their own dedicated charging source and would have reaped the benefits of the drop in the Energy Price Cap when charging at home.

“However, that benefit may have been missed completely for those who are solely reliant on the public network. While wholesale electricity costs have dropped considerably from last summer, some networks increased their prices.”

He added: “With the Competition and Markets Authority and government keen to keep an eye on pump prices, there is a strong argument to consider mirroring their activities for EV charging costs in the public realm.”

 

Charging calculations are based on adding 80% to a Vauxhall Corsa Electric, 50kW, with a WLTP range of 222 miles, while the petrol comparison is with a Vauxhall Corsa 75hp 1.2-litre given an 80% refuel

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Natalie Middleton

Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day. Natalie edits all the Fleet World websites and newsletters, and loves to hear about any latest industry news - or gossip.