EV charging cheaper than petrol as UK fuel prices rise
EV charging cheaper than petrol as UK fuel prices rise
Rising fuel costs amid tensions push public EV charging costs below petrol per mile for the first time in over a year, with home charging remaining the cheapest option.
Public electric car charging is now cheaper than petrol per mile in the UK, thanks to rising fuel costs amid the war in Iran. Charge UK’s analysis, using RAC fuel watch and Zapmap price index figures, shows that charging at a standard public charger at the national average of 54p per kWh results in around 15p per mile for a typical EV. For an 80/20 mix of standard and rapid charging, the cost is around 16p per mile. Only exclusive use of ultra-rapid charging would push costs above petrol or diesel.
Home charging remains the cheapest option, with costs as low as 2p per mile today. The difference partly stems from VAT: domestic electricity carries 5% VAT, while charging points add 20%. Melanie Shufflebotham of Zapmap notes that the savings for an 80/20 home/public split are at their highest since May 2024, though the UK still has the highest public charging costs in Europe and calls for measures to accelerate the transition.
The Labour party has pledged to outlaw sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2030, a move that would push EV adoption further, though price dynamics will continue to influence consumer choices.
