From fluctuating kWh rates and memberships, understanding the shifting EV charging terrain is key to maximising the cost-effectiveness of your EV. We unravel the complexities of the UK’s EV charging costs to ensure you’re always charged up.
Keeping up with the latest charging tariffs can feel akin to tracking mobile phone plans, they’re always changing! Just as mobile phone users navigate through a myriad of data plans and network offers, EV owners face a dynamic and sometimes bewildering array of charging options.
Comparing the Best EV Charging Operators
Here, we delve into some of the top EV charging operators in the UK, assessing them on these crucial parameters to help you make an informed decision. Home charging costs of course are acheaper and can range from £0.12 to £0.41 per kWh for those with a home charger, but this will depend on your supplier and the tariff you are on.
But what about the most common public charging services? Many of these suppliers will change their rates for the winter, so here is an up-to-date rundown of the fees you are likely to find if you want to plug in your car on the street or car park.
Ubitricity
Ubitricity, a part of the Shell Group and a prominent player in the UK’s EV charging market has recently adjusted its pricing structure. As of November 2023, the standard pricing is 46p per kWh, a slight increase from the previously reduced rate of 45p. This comes with a 35p connection charge, while peak pricing remains at 79p per kWh. Off-peak charging, between 12 to 4 am, is priced at 37p.
Ubitricity’s network, known for its smart charging technology, includes over 6,500 charge points across the UK, mainly on-street chargers integrated into lamp posts and bollards. Concentrated in Greater London, the network also spans other urban areas like Liverpool and the South East of England, making it the largest public charging network in the country.
Pod Point
Pod Point, a major entity in the UK’s EV charging sector, has maintained its pricing for lower capacity chargers at 28p per kWh for 7kW units, while increasing rates for 50kW chargers to 50p per kWh as of November 2023.
Their 22kW chargers are priced at 40p per kWh. Notably, Pod Point’s network, with over 211,000 charging points including more than 9,200 public ones in various locations like Tesco, Lidl, and national parks, offers a blend of fast, slow, and rapid charging options.
The presence in convenient locations like supermarkets and free charging options at certain sites makes Pod Point an economical and flexible choice for EV users, especially for longer, non-urgent charging needs.
BP Pulse
BP Pulse has structured its pricing to cater to various user types.
As of June 2023, BP Pulse charges 59p/kWh for 7kW AC chargers, 79p/kWh for 43 AC/50kW DC chargers, and 85p/kWh for 150kW DC chargers for contactless or guest users. Pay-as-you-go users have intermediate rates paying 59p for 7kW AC chargers, 77p for 43 AC/50kW DC chargers, and 83p for 150kW DC chargers.
Contactless users are charged 59p for 7kW AC (guest charging only), 79p for 43 AC/50kW DC, and 85p for 150kW DC chargers.
For subscribers, the rates are lower: 44p/kWh for 7kW AC, 63p for 43 AC/50kW DC, and 69p for 150kW DC chargers.
This pricing strategy, coupled with its extensive network of over 7,000 public chargers and diverse charging options, including ultra-rapid chargers, positions BP Pulse as a versatile choice for both occasional and frequent EV users.
Gridserve
Gridserve, a rapidly expanding player in the UK’s EV charging market, has recently updated its pricing structure.
High-power DC charging (up to 350kW) is priced at 69p per kWh, a slight increase from the earlier 66p per kWh.
However, the cost for lower-power AC charging (up to 22kW) remains unchanged at 49p per kWh. Gridserve’s charging network includes Electric Super Hubs, Electric Forecourts®, Electric Hubs, and Destination Hubs, providing a mix of low, medium, and high-power charging options across the UK, including key locations like the A303, M4, M23, and M40.
This strategic expansion and pricing approach caters to EV users needing quick top-ups as well as those requiring more economical, lower-power options.
Electric Super Hubs are characterised by high-power EV chargers, deployed in significant numbers to provide quick charging services. Locations for these hubs include key spots like the A303, M4, M23, and M40. Specifically, in January 2023, Gridserve opened 32 new high-power chargers at four new Electric Super Hubs, including eight at Solstice Park on the A303, six at Pease Pottage on the M23, twelve at Reading Westbound on the M4, and six at Cherwell Valley on the M40.
Electric Forecourts®: These are the first of their kind in Europe, dedicated exclusively to EV charging and aimed at providing an unmatched charging experience.
Shell Recharge
Shell Recharge, part of Shell’s UK EV charging network, offers varied pricing for AC and DC charging. For AC (Fast 7-22kW) charging, the cost is £0.62 per kWh using the Shell Recharge app, card, or key fob, and £0.65 per kWh for contactless card payments. DC (Rapid/Ultra rapid 50-175kW) charging costs £0.81 per kWh with the app, card, or fob, and £0.85 per kWh for contactless payments.
An additional £0.35 transaction fee, capped at £7 per month, applies to app/card/fob payments but not to contactless card sessions. A pre-authorisation of £45 is required for contactless card transactions, adjusted post-charging.
Tesla
The current pricing for Tesla’s Supercharger network in the UK, as of 2023, is as follows:
For Tesla Owners, the cost ranges from £0.22 to £0.32 per kWh.
For Non-Tesla Owners, you can opt for a monthly membership at £10.99, which provides a reduced per kWh price. For non-members, the off-peak and on-peak kWh prices are, on average, £0.54 and £0.67 respectively.
Supercharger Pricing is different the average price per kWh for using a Supercharger is 67p and Tesla owners who subscribe to a monthly membership are charged around 53p per kWh.
Instavolt
InstaVolt, renowned for its user-friendly and extensive charging network, stands out as a prime choice for EV drivers in the UK.
InstaVolt has implemented a straightforward pricing policy, charging a flat rate of £0.85 per kWh across its network. This transparent approach, free from hidden costs such as connection or membership fees, makes it easy for drivers to estimate their charging expenses.
InstaVolt boasts a rapidly growing network of chargers, widely available across various locations in the UK. Their chargers are strategically placed in convenient locations like retail parks, supermarkets, and along major routes, ensuring easy accessibility for drivers. The network predominantly features rapid chargers, ideal for quick top-ups and long journeys, reducing waiting times significantly.
GeniePoint
GeniePoint, a significant name in the UK’s EV charging scene, has implemented an innovative pricing strategy called GenieFlex. This approach aligns with the dynamic needs of EV users, offering varied rates based on the time of day.
Peak Hours (08:00-19:59): Charging during these hours is priced at 79p per kWh.
Off-Peak Hours (20:00-07:59): Users benefit from a lower rate of 75p per kWh if they start charging in this window.
As Morrisons’ EV charging partner, GeniePoint chargers are installed at numerous sites of this supermarket chain, enhancing convenience for shoppers.
Overstay Fee: A notable aspect is the overstay charge of £10.00 after 90 minutes, continuing every 90 minutes thereafter.
Char.gy
Char.gy has carved a niche in the UK’s EV charging market with its innovative approach to public charging, particularly suited for urban environments and those without private charging facilities. Users enjoy the freedom of no monthly commitments, only paying for what they use without any connection charge.
Char.gy’s PAYG plan is priced at 65p/kWh, dropping to 29p/kWh during off-peak hours (midnight to 7 am). An additional 12p connection fee applies when using Zap-Pay. Char.gy specialises in integrating charging units into lampposts, facilitating the expansion of on-street charging. This method avoids the need for extensive infrastructure development, speeding up installation and accessibility.
Users can easily access Char.gy points via the network’s web app or through Zap-Pay, with payment options linked to a credit or debit card for seamless transactions after charging.
ChargePlace Scotland,
The official charging network of Scotland has significantly expanded its infrastructure in recent years. They offer a variety of charging options, including slow, fast, and rapid chargers, with speeds ranging between 7 – 50 kW. As of now, they do not have ultra-rapid chargers in their network.
The network includes over 2000 charging points across Scotland, extending from the Shetlands to Edinburgh and the English border, with approximately 70% of these points located outside Scotland’s cities. Among these, around 300 are rapid charging points.
Charge Place Scotland‘s pricing structure for electric vehicle charging is diverse, varying by location and charger type. For example, Aberdeen City Council offers slow chargers at £0.47 per kWh with a minimum charge of £1.00. In Edinburgh, the electric vehicle charging costs vary by location and charger type too. Edinburgh Leisure charges £0.30 per kWh for all chargers, with a £10 overstay fee after 3 hours. Edinburgh Napier University’s fast charger is £0.45 per kWh with a £1.50 minimum fee.
Costs can include per kWh charges, minimum charges, connection fees, and overstay fees, which differ significantly across councils and charging stations. This varied pricing reflects a tailored approach to EV charging infrastructure across Scotland.
How to Access Public EV Charging
Electric vehicle (EV) adoption is on the rise, and with it, the need for accessible public charging options. Understanding the various ways to access these charge points is crucial for EV drivers. Here’s a breakdown of the most common methods:
Plug and Play
How it Works: Simply plug in your EV and start charging.
- Pros: Immediate access without any signup.
- Cons: Inability to collect usage data or bill for usage. Typically found at select workplaces and public destinations.
App Enabled
How it Works: Use a mobile app to access and manage charging.
- Pros: Accessible to anyone with a smartphone. Ability to manage usage and billing. View Chargepoint details and locations within the app.
- Cons: Need for multiple apps for different networks, connectivity issues in areas with poor signal, public destination chargers, and rapid chargers.
RFID Card
How it Works: A specialised card is swiped to start charging.
- Pros: Simplifies usage management and billing. Functional even in poor signal areas.
- Cons: Dependency on physical card availability. Security concerns, including card cloning. Requirement of different cards for various networks. Note: This method is being gradually phased out.
Contactless Payment Card
How it Works: Tap a debit or credit card for payment.
- Pros: Quick access without signup.
- Cons: Increased cost due to secure card readers. Transaction fees for each use, eliminating free charging options. Typically Found At Rapid chargers.
The choice of access method depends on individual preferences and the available infrastructure. While options like Plug and Play offer simplicity, app-enabled and contactless payment methods provide more control and convenience. As the EV landscape evolves, these methods will likely become more streamlined, enhancing the overall charging experience for EV drivers.
You can see our March 2023 Guide to EV charging by clicking the link here.
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