The cost of charging an EV on the public networks is now lower on average than petrol or diesel for the first time in over a year, new research from ChargeUK shows.

The analysis, based on RAC Fuel Watch and Zapmap Price Index figures, reveals that when charging on a standard charger, such as on-street or in a local car park, at the national average cost of 54p per kWh, with typical efficiency, drivers can expect to pay around 15p per mile, compared with a current rate of 17p for a typical petrol car or 17.5p for diesel.

Drivers using an 80/20% mix of standard and rapid public charging will pay around 16p per mile.

Only those exclusively using public ultra-rapid charging will still pay more than liquid fuel.

The figures show that surging petrol and diesel prices have closed the price gap between public EV charging and fuel.

Average prices for charging on the public EV charging network rose 38% between 2021 and 2025. However, with petrol prices soaring in recent weeks in response to global conflict and public EV charging remaining comparatively stable, the cost of fuelling a petrol or diesel car has surpassed charging an EV on the public network in most scenarios.

But the EV charging industry body warns that government action is required to secure long-term cheaper charging for all.

As ministers commit to an ‘era of clean energy security’, ChargeUK is calling on Ministers to address the policy issues driving up charging prices, so that cheaper EV driving is locked in for the long term, not just in a time of war.

The association argues that while petrol prices are heavily influenced by global factors outside of the UK government’s control, public EV charging prices are largely inflated by policy costs that government can address.

ChargeUK’s white paper Delivering Affordable Charging for All, published in September 2025, showed that at the start of the decade charging an EV was more affordable than fuelling a petrol or diesel car regardless of whether drivers charged at home or on the public network. However, while home charging has remained low cost (as little as 2p per mile today), public EV charging has increased by 38 per cent since 2021—driven largely by policy changes including skyrocketing standing charges.

Responding to this paper in the Autumn Budget, the Government committed to a review of the public cost of EV charging, which is now underway, and the charging industry hopes to see tangible outcomes from it.

This is running alongside the recent tax tribunal ruling that the 20% VAT on public EV charging should be 5%, equal to home charging, which HMRC has now applied to appeal; a decision ChargeUK has called “disjointed and disappointing”.

The new analysis also shows that based on today’s prices, EV drivers who are reliant on public charging would be likely to pay more than petrol and diesel after the introduction of the Government’s 3p per mile eVED tax in 2028.

Vicky Read, chief executive, ChargeUK, said the cost of public charging was now “the final hurdle” for mass EV adoption.

“We need to see government take control of the situation to ensure the numbers stack up not just in a time of global crisis, but for the long term. The cost pressures currently pushing up public EV charging prices are largely within the Government’s grasp, whereas the global pressures pushing up petrol and diesel prices are not.

“By using the cost of charging review to address skyrocketing charge point standing charges, eliminating the VAT penalty on public charging and adding renewable electricity to its renewable transport credit scheme, government can help reduce public EV charging prices—saving money for millions of drivers, making an EV viable for millions more, doubling down on electrification and helping automakers meet their EV sales quotas.”

Vicky Edmonds, CEO of EVA England, said: “This will be welcome news for drivers considering the switch to electric, especially those relying on public charging. But it is a result of increased fuel prices rather than the fundamental drop in charging costs that we need to see for the EV transition to be stable in the longer term. A mix of issues still keep public charging unnecessarily high for drivers, from limited access to cheaper home charging for those without driveways to high energy costs for charge points and higher VAT. We need urgent action to tackle those issues and make sure the savings from EV driving stick.”

Melanie Shufflebotham, co-founder and COO at Zapmap, said the firm’s ongoing data shows that the vast majority of drivers choosing electric will enjoy total cost of ownership savings.

“We’re now seeing that for EV drivers with a typical 80/20 split between home and public charging, the cost saving of charging their EV compared to fuelling a petrol or diesel car is at the highest level since May 2024.

“However, in the UK we still have the highest public charging costs in Europe, and we welcome all measures to tackle this to help progress the transition to sustainable transport.”

And the RAC said public charging costs are still higher than they need to be. Simon Williams, head of policy at the motoring organisation, commented: “Issues outside of operators’ control such as 20% VAT on public charging, compared to 5% at home, and high standing charges aren’t helping. We hope the government will seek to address these issues so more people can make the switch to electric driving and charge affordably away from home”

Used EV boom: Demand for second-hand electric leases surges 177% as drivers chase savings

UK drivers are snapping up second-hand leased electric cars and taking advantage of significant savings, according to new data from Octopus Electric Vehicles.

The EV leasing and salary sacrifice firm has reported a 177% surge in demand for used EVs versus March last year, as more affordable second-hand models come onto the market.

This comes as the wider UK EV market continues to grow fast, with nearly one in four new cars sold in the UK in March being fully electric.

Affordability is a key driver behind the surge, with second-hand salary sacrifice deals – which allow drivers to pay through their gross salary – offering meaningful savings compared to new cars.

The business points to great value options from used EVs that are just a year or two old at all price points and specifications. For example, at the cheaper end, a Dacia Spring is available from £176 per month compared to £239 new, saving around 26%. A Tesla Model Y comes in around £366 per month used versus £433 new (15% less), while the BMW i4 comes in at £470 per month compared to £668 new, saving around 32%.

These lower monthly costs are helping more drivers make the switch to electric.

The rise in demand reflects a maturing EV market, with record new car sales in recent years now feeding a growing pipeline of high-quality used vehicles. As more ex-lease and fleet cars return to the market, drivers have more choice and better prices.

The data comes just a couple of weeks after Octopus announced an 89% jump in orders for new leased EVs in March compared to February, as drivers make the switch to electric amid rising petrol costs.

Gurjeet Grewal, CEO of Octopus Electric Vehicles, said: “Drivers are waking up to the fact that going electric doesn’t have to mean paying new car prices. The jump in second-hand EV leasing shows people want a smarter, more affordable way to drive electric, while it’s clear that previous concerns about battery life are fading.

“With more high-quality, used EVs becoming available – a trend that is only set to increase – we’re making it easier than ever for drivers to cut costs.”