Kerbside off-peak charging now cheaper than Energy Price Guarantee, finds AA
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
Natalie Middleton
Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for nearly 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.
