Off-peak ultra-rapid charging costs plunged by 10% on average or 5p per kWh in December, the AA’s latest EV Recharge report reveals. Now typically at 45p/kWh, off-peak ultra-rapid
Off-peak ultra-rapid charging costs plunged by 10% on average or 5p per kWh in December, the AA’s latest EV Recharge report reveals.
Now typically at 45p/kWh, off-peak ultra-rapid charging costs are on par with or cheaper than all other charging speeds when it comes to the average cost for charging at off-peak times. It’s meant that those willing to charge their car at ‘unsocial’ hours can add 80% battery for less than £20.
This is against a background of falling pump prices that have seen the average petrol price drop 4p a litre (137.5p in early December to 133.5p by early January) or 3%. Wholesale petrol costs have fallen 7p a litre, worth 8.4p at the pump with VAT, but only half of that potential saving has so far been passed on to drivers.
Elsewhere, off-peak rapid costs rose by 3p, pushing the average cost to 58p/kWh, whereas rapid peak rates, alongside fast, rapid and ultra-rapid flat-rate costs increased by a penny. The average cost to add 80% battery at the fastest speed moved to £31.60.
Meanwhile, the AA said the road fuel trade’s “failure” to fully pass on lower petrol and diesel wholesale costs has handed EV owners a significant pence-per-mile saving over their fossil fuel counterparts.
For those charging up at home, the cost per mile is half that of petrol. Charging at the kerbside on a flat rate is half a penny a mile cheaper while the off-peak tariff averages more than 1.5p a mile less expensive. The same cost advantage is now enjoyed by electric car owners powering up off-peak from one of the fastest chargers.
| Charge Type | Speed | Dec Ave (p/kWh) | Nov Ave (p/kWh) | Difference (p/kWh) | Cost to add 80% charge | Pence per mile (p/mile) |
| Domestic | Up to 7kW | 26 | 26 | 0 | £10.40 | 5.88 |
| Slow | Up to 8kW | 50 | 50 | 0 | £20.00 | 11.30 |
| Fast | 8-49kW | 62 | 61 | 1 | £24.80 | 14.01 |
| Rapid | 50-149kW | 74 | 73 | 1 | £29.60 | 16.72 |
| Ultra-rapid | +150kW | 79 | 78 | 1 | £31.60 | 17.85 |
| PETROL | 136.50 ppl | 136.70 ppl | -0.20 ppl | £43.68 | 11.93 | |
| Charge Type | Speed | Dec Ave (p/kWh) | Nov Ave (p/kWh) | Difference (p/kWh) | Cost to add 80% charge | Pence per mile (p/mile) |
| Slow Off-Peak | Up to 8kW | 45 | 45 | 0 | £18.00 | 10.17 |
| Slow Peak | Up to 8kW | 59 | 59 | 0 | £23.60 | 13.33 |
| Fast Off-Peak | 8-49kW | 45 | 45 | 0 | £18.00 | 10.17 |
| Fast Peak | 8-49kW | 50 | 50 | 0 | £20.00 | 11.30 |
| Rapid Off-Peak | 50-149kW | 58 | 55 | 3 | £23.20 | 13.11 |
| Rapid Peak | 50-149kW | 75 | 74 | 1 | £30.00 | 16.95 |
| Ultra-rapid Off-Peak | +150kW | 45 | 50 | -5 | £18.00 | 10.17 |
| Ultra-rapid Peak | +150kW | 58 | 59 | -1 | £23.20 | 13.11 |
| PETROL | 136.50 ppl | 136.70 ppl | -0.20 ppl | £43.68 | 11.93 | |
The AA, which has been tracking public EV prices since 2022 and able to split out peak and off-peak rates since 2023, has revealed some winners and losers of EV costs over the last few years.
Domestic rates alongside peak and off-peak rates are clear winners. The AA uses the Ofgem energy price cap as the baseline of domestic charging as it highlights the worst possible home tariff for consumers. That price has fallen by almost a quarter (24%) since 2023.
It should be noted that the majority of EV drivers are able to find a home charging tariff which unlocks charging rates as low as 4p/kWh during the early hours, meaning there are considerable savings to be made.
Off-peak slow charging prices have fallen from 67p/kWh to 59p/kWh, whereas peak rates have seen a small increase of 2p to 45p/kWh. Fast off-peak rates have fallen by 43% in two years, and rapid off-peak rates have dropped by 23%.
Meanwhile, ultra-rapid off-peak prices have fallen by 11% to 58p/kWh in 2025 compared to 65p/kWh in 2023.
The losers however have been flat-rate charging, with all prices experiencing increases in costs. Slow charging has risen 13p from 2023 to 50p/kWh, whereas fast charging has increased 7p in two years.
Flat-rate rapid charging has risen from 65p/kWh in 2023 to 74p/kWh in 2025, and ultra-rapid charging has increased 13% to 79p/kWh.
There are many reasons for these changes, including more charge point operators entering the UK market, the Government re-banding charging speeds to reflect how the public network has evolved, and existing providers upgrading or switching off chargers so they could focus their efforts at a particular speed.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said: “Reflecting on how prices have changed since 2023, it is clear that charge point operators offering peak and off-peak rates are the most competitive, whereas flat-rate providers have seen steady increases over the same period.
| Charge Type | Speed | Dec 2025 Ave (p/kWh) | Dec 2024 Ave (p/kWh) | Dec 2023 Ave (p/kWh) |
| Domestic | Up to 7kW | 26 | 27 | 34 |
| Slow | Up to 8kW | 50 | 52 | 37 |
| Fast | 8-49kW | 62 | 58 | 55 |
| Rapid | 50-149kW | 74 | 72 | 65 |
| Ultra-rapid | +150kW | 79 | 72 | 70 |
| PETROL | 136.50 ppl | 136.60 ppl | 141.74 ppl | |
| Charge Type | Speed | Dec 2025 Ave (p/kWh) | Dec 2024 Ave (p/kWh) | Dec 2023 Ave (p/kWh) |
| Slow Off-Peak | Up to 8kW | 45 | 44 | 43 |
| Slow Peak | Up to 8kW | 59 | 69 | 67 |
| Fast Off-Peak | 8-49kW | 45 | 54 | 75 |
| Fast Peak | 8-49kW | 50 | 85 | 79 |
| Rapid Off-Peak | 50-149kW | 58 | 54 | 75 |
| Rapid Peak | 50-149kW | 75 | 85 | 79 |
| Ultra-rapid Off-Peak | +150kW | 45 | 48 | 57 |
| Ultra-rapid Peak | +150kW | 58 | 66 | 65 |
| PETROL | 136.50 ppl | 136.60 ppl | 141.74 ppl | |
Further price cuts could be on the way amid rumours that the Chancellor is considering cutting VAT on public charging to match domestic charging.
Equalising VAT to 5% across the public network would see ultra-rapid costs fall to around 66p/kWh, making the cost to charge cheaper than 2023 prices.
The AA’s Jack Cousens commented: “Cutting VAT on public charging is an easy win, and we urge the Chancellor to carry this out at the earlier opportunity. Cheaper charging away from home will help give more confidence to those drivers considering making the switch to an EV.”
Frank Gordon, director of policy at the REA and Recharge UK, commented on the findings: “Drivers who switch to EVs are doing the right thing – they’re helping to reduce emissions, cleaning the air around us and helping the UK hit our legally binding climate targets.
“It makes sense that they should be rewarded with affordable energy to power their cars, but this is not always the case. It is heartening to see that ultra-rapid off-peak charging costs fell in December, but the reality is that those without access to home charging have no choice but to bear these extra costs compared to those able to charge at home.
“If we want more people to make the decision to switch to electric, we have to make it as easy, and as cost effective, as possible. If we’re seeing policies that add an extra burden on EV drivers that we’re not seeing for ICE drivers – as with the proposed eVED charges – government has to find other ways to even the playing field.
“Reducing the amount of VAT on public charging would be a quick and effective way to reward EV owners for their choice, and signal to the rest of the market that it pays to go clean.”
Average prices are the PAYG options without connection fee as of 22 December 2025. Subscriptions are available for all charge point speeds which can unlock a cheaper p/kWh, however rates vary across provider. Peak and off-peak times vary between charge point operators. Domestic charging uses the OFGEM energy price cap as the default rate to showcase the worst possible home tariff.
Charging calculations are based on adding 80% to a Vauxhall Corsa Electric, 50kW, with a WLTP range of 221 miles. Adding 80% range equates to 178 miles of range.
Fuel calculations are based on Vauxhall Corsa 1.2L (100hp) Petrol with a 40 litre tank. 80% refuel = 32 litres.
Petrol: 32 litres @ 136.50 ppl = £43.68. Combined Low MPG of 52.3 = 366 miles at 11.93 p/mile.
