Shopping around for cheap ultra-rapid EV charging can save a THIRD - but rural areas need better infrastructure
- Slight rise in fast charging costs shows the importance of choice for EV drivers
Flat rate costs of fast and rapid charging have nudged higher in recent months, according to latest analysis.
The cost of charging at fast chargers has increased by 2p, while the cost of rapid charging has risen by 1p in August, AA's EV Recharge Report shows.
The motoring organisation is now calling for more rural rapid chargers to be installed, to prevent remote areas falling behind in the national charging rollout
The AA's EV Recharge Report for August found the cost of charging at fast chargers has increased by two pence, while the cost of rapid charging has risen by a penny
Department for Transport stats show that just 14.9 per cent of chargers can be found in rural areas, despite a 37 per cent increase in devices between October 2023 and July 2024
While fast and rapid charging costs went up slightly, August saw peak charging rates at slow chargers fall by 1p.
This will help EV drivers who use slow charging to recharge their cars because they don't have access to off-road parking and a home charger.
All other charging prices remained level for the third consecutive month.
The AA is advising motorists to shop around to take advantage of the cheapest possible charging rates; shopping around for cheap peak ultra rapid charging will save an average of 24 per cent, while off-peak savings are even more at 34 per cent.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for The AA, said; 'Even with the slight price increase, there are big savings to be had. Planning stops at ultra-rapid chargers during off-peak hours means driver could save a tenner compared to using a flat rate alternative.'
The organisation is also calling on industry and government to improve the provision of public charging in rural areas.
| Charge Type | Speed | Aug Ave (p/kWh) | July Ave (p/kWh) | Difference(p/kWh) | Cost to charge to 80% | Pence per mile(p/mile) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic | Up to 7kW | 22 | 22 | 0 | £8.80 | 4.97 | ||||
| Slow | Up to 8kW | 51 | 51 | 0 | £20.40 | 11.53 | ||||
| Fast | 8-49kW | 58 | 56 | 2 | £23.20 | 13.11 | ||||
| Rapid | 50-149kW | 74 | 73 | 1 | £29.60 | 16.72 | ||||
| Ultra-rapid | +150kW | 77 | 77 | 0 | £30.80 | 17.4 | ||||
| PETROL | 142.10 ppl | 145.10 ppl | -2.8 ppl | £45.54 | 12.65 | |||||
| Source - AA Recharge Report, August 2024 . * Calculations based on adding 80% to a Vauxhall e-Corsa, 50kW, with a WLTP range of 221 miles | ||||||||||
| Charging Type | Speed | Aug Ave (p/kWh) | July Ave (p/kWh) | Difference(p/kWh) | Cost to charge to 80% | Pence per mile(p/mile) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slow Off-Peak | Up to 8kW | 42 | 42 | 0 | £16.80 | 9.49 | ||||
| Slow Peak | Up to 8kW | 58 | 59 | - 1 | £23.20 | 13.11 | ||||
| Fast Off-Peak | 8-49kW | 75 | 75 | 0 | £30.00 | 16.95 | ||||
| Fast Peak | 8-49kW | 79 | 79 | 0 | £31.60 | 17.85 | ||||
| Rapid Off-Peak | 50-149kW | 75 | 75 | 0 | £30.00 | 16.95 | ||||
| Rapid Peak | 50-149kW | 79 | 79 | 0 | £31.60 | 17.85 | ||||
| Ultra-rapid Off-Peak | +150kW | 51 | 51 | 0 | £20.40 | 11.53 | ||||
| Ultra-rapid Peak | +150kW | 59 | 59 | 0 | £23.60 | 13.33 | ||||
| PETROL | 142.30ppl | 145.10ppl | -2.80 ppl | £45.54 | 12.65 | |||||
| Source - AA Recharge Report, August 2024 . * Calculations based on adding 80% to a Vauxhall e-Corsa, 50kW, with a WLTP range of 221 miles | ||||||||||
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for The AA, said: 'Drivers leaving busy, urban areas will have discovered that the nation's charging infrastructure needs more investment in rural locations. Away from popular attractions, finding a chargepoint can be more challenging.
Recent statistics released by the Department for Transport show that just 14.9 per cent of chargers can be found in rural areas, despite a 37 per cent increase in devices between October 2023 and July 2024.
In July there were 8,255 devices, up from 5,992 in October 2023.
Cousens said: 'Drivers leaving busy, urban areas will have discovered that the nation's charging infrastructure needs more investment in rural locations. Away from popular attractions, finding a chargepoint can be more challenging.
'Meanwhile the fictional village of Ambridge is in the process of opening its own EV charging hub, complete with a café and possible hairdressers. If The Archers can build a charging station then others can make it a reality.'
How does each UK country rank for charging rollout?
Scotland is the best country in the UK for charger availability, with 103 devices per 100,000 people living there.
This puts it above the average provision in the UK, which is 96 per 100,000.
England is second with 97 per 100,000, and Wales has a device-to-inhabitant ration of 88 per 100,000 people.
Northern Ireland though, is well behind with installations: there are only 32 chargers per 100,000 residents.
This follows reports at the start of the year that officials from Northern Ireland are 'concerned' about its lack of charging points which is causing NI to 'fall behind the rest of the UK'.
The average charging point provision in the UK is 96 per 100,000, but Scotland leads the way when analysed by country with 103 per 100,000. For cities and geographical areas London is miles ahead with 23
There's also a North-South divide showing up within England.
London has the highest availability of EV charging points anywhere across England.
Official records show there are 234 chargers per 100,000 population, which is streaks ahead of the rest of the country for infrastructure.
The South East averages 82 devices per 100,000, with the South West just behind with 80.
The West Midlands has a better ratio than both with 92 chargers for every 100,000.
In comparison, Yorkshire and the Humber has only 56 chargers per 100,000. And the North West doesn't fair much better with 60 chargers per 100,000.
However the North East fairs better overall with 72 per 100,000, yet is the only area of the UK to not see an increase in devices in the last quarter.
