The overall cost of charging an electric vehicle (EV) on the UK’s public network has surged by 11% over the past year, according to new data published by Zapmap.
Derived from the Zapmap Price Index, which analyses over a million recorded charging sessions monthly, the figures reflect the weighted average cost for EV drivers to charge publicly.
According to the report, the rise in charging costs, particularly on the rapid/ultra-rapid network where the majority of charging occurs, can be attributed to two primary factors: consolidation and evolving charging preferences.
The top six rapid/ultra-rapid charging networks have aligned their prices to a median of 79p per kWh, with InstaVolt slightly higher at 85p per kWh.
Furthermore, there has been a notable increase in the utilisation of ultra-rapid charge points, which are generally pricier but offer faster charging capabilities.
In December 2023, ultra-rapid chargers surpassed rapid chargers in energy transfer volume for the first time.
Melanie Shufflebotham, Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer at Zapmap, said: “This year, with the continued uncertainty in wholesale energy prices and other cost pressures, don’t expect prices on the public charging network to come down in the near future.
“However, looking to the future, there are reasons to be positive. There is continued pressure on the government to equalise the VAT levels between domestic and public charging at 5%.”
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