Kerbside off-peak charging now cheaper than Energy Price Guarantee, finds AA

By / 1 year ago / UK News / No Comments

The cost of off-peak slow charging, typically provided at the kerbside in residential streets, dropped more than 10% in May to 33p/kWh, according to new AA analysis.

Off-peak slow charging costs dropped to 33p/kWh in May

Its latest Recharge Report reveals that such charging is now on average lower than the Energy Price Guarantee of 34p/kWh. Meanwhile, peak slow charging has dropped by more than a quarter, from 72p to 53p kWh, bringing further respite to drivers unable to charge at home.

Thanks to the Energy Price Guarantee having been extended until 30 June 2023, kerbside operators have changed tack to better reflect the prices paid by EV owners with dedicated off-street parking using a specialist EV tariff provided by their energy supplier.

That’s in contrast to petrol prices, which have seen an end to the eight-month fall in average pump prices. In the past fortnight, petrol has risen from a low of 143.04p a litre to 143.47p, having been in freefall from 166.54p a litre at the end of October.

But it’s not all positive news for EV drivers and the tables below show increased prices for recharging at higher speeds – the result of the end of government support for businesses providing charging, under the Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS).

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said: “We hope this is a minor blip as electricity prices are predicted to fall later this year. Savvy EV drivers heading on a summer road trip should plan their charging stops at cheaper locations or time their journey so they can take advantage of off-peak rates.”

For those EV owners using flat-rate tariffs, costs remain largely static.

AA EV Recharge Report, May 2023. Flat rates;

Charge Type Speed May Ave (p/kWh) Apr Ave (p/kWh) Difference (p/kWh) Cost to charge to 80% Pence per mile (p/mile)
Domestic Up to 7kW 34 34 0 £13.60 7.64
Slow Up to 7kW 44 40 4 £17.60 9.89
Fast 8-22kW 55 54 1 £22.00 12.36
Rapid 23-100kW 66 67 -1 £26.40 14.83
Ultra-rapid +101kW 70 70 0 £28.00 15.73
             
PETROL 143.35 ppl 146.52 ppl -3.17 ppl £45.87 13.69

 

AA EV Recharge Report, May 2023. Peak and Off-Peak rates;

Charge Type Speed May Ave (p/kWh) Apr Ave (p/kWh) Difference (p/kWh) Cost to charge to 80% Pence per mile (p/mile)
Slow Off-Peak Up to 7kW 33 37 -4 £13.20 7.42
Slow Peak Up to 7kW 53 72 -19 £21.20 11.91
Fast Off-Peak 8-22kW 88 57 31 £35.20 19.78
Fast Peak 8-22kW 98 75 23 £39.20 22.02
Rapid Off-Peak 23-100kW 88 57 31 £35.20 19.78
Rapid Peak 23-100kW 98 75 23 £39.20 22.02
Ultra-rapid Off-Peak +101kW 61 51 10 £24.40 13.71
Ultra-rapid Peak +101kW 72 64 8 £28.80 16.18
             
PETROL 143.35 ppl 146.52 ppl -3.17 ppl £45.87 13.69

 

The AA has also renewed its call for the Chancellor to reduce VAT on public charging to 5% – mirroring the domestic energy VAT rate.

It’s a move understandably backed by drivers; a survey of more than 11,500 motorists carried out last week by the AA found that more than half (56%) would support a change of policy.

The AA is calling for the Chancellor to act accordingly in his upcoming Budget this Autumn.

Jack Cousens added: “The Chancellor can deliver some positive and popular news at the Budget and we urge him to do so.”

 

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

 

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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.