17 October 2023
The September 2023 AA EV Recharge Report* launched at the NEC shows that charging an EV with an ultra-rapid charger at peak times has fallen to its lowest cost this year. Addressing the Highways UK** conference at the NEC today (19 October), the AA president reveals that the cost per mile from powering up at an ultra-rapid charger during the most expensive period of the day is now cheaper than running a car on petrol.
Prices fell by a further 3p/kwh, mirroring the fall seen in August, meaning ultra-rapid charging is now at its cheapest point since the summer.
Elsewhere, drivers using chargepoints offering flat rates saw prices remain the same as August, but slow chargers, typically from lampposts in urban areas, saw peak and off-peak prices rise again.
“Ultra-rapid charging can be cheaper by the mile than petrol and gives more food for thought to those who are considering making the swap from combustion cars to EVs.”
AA EV Recharge Report, September 2023. Flat rates;
| Charger type | Speed (kW) | Sep Ave (p/kWh) |
Aug Ave (p/kWh) | Difference (p/kWh) | Cost to charge 80% | Pence per mile (p/mile) |
| Domestic | Up to 7kW | 30 | 30 | 0 | £12.00 | 6.74 |
| Slow (Flat rate) | Up to 7kW | 48 | 48 | 0 | £19.20 | 10.79 |
| Fast | 8-22 kW | 55 | 56 | -1 | £22.00 | 12.36 |
| Rapid | 23-100 kW | 69 | 69 | 0 | £27.60 | 15.51 |
| Ultra-rapid | +101 kW | 71 | 72 | -1 | £28.40 | 15.96 |
| Petrol | 151.74 ppl | 151.19 ppl | 0.55 ppl | £48.56 | 14.49 | |
AA EV Recharge Report, September 2023. Peak and Off-Peak rates;
| Charger type | Speed | Sep Ave (p/kWh)) |
Aug Ave (p/kWh) | Difference (p/kWh) | Cost to charge to 80% | Pence per mile (p/mile) |
| Slow Off-Peak | Up to 7kW | 40 | 38 | 2 | £16.00 | 8.99 |
| Slow Peak | Up to 7kW | 54 | 50 | 4 | £21.60 | 12.13 |
| Fast Off-Peak | 8-22kW | 75 | 75 | 0 | £30.00 | 16.85 |
| Fast Peak | 8-22kW | 79 | 79 | 0 | £31.60 | 17.75 |
| Rapid Off-Peak | 23-100kW | 75 | 75 | 0 | £30.00 | 16.85 |
| Rapid Peak | 23-100kW | 79 | 79 | 0 | £31.60 | 17.75 |
| Ultra-rapid Off-Peak | +101kW | 53 | 56 | -3 | £22.20 | 11.91 |
| Ultra-rapid Peak | +101kW | 61 | 64 | -3 | £24.40 | 13.71 |
| Petrol | 151.74ppl | 151.19 ppl | 0.55 ppl | £48.56 | 14.49 | |
Edmund King, AA president, will tell the conference: “A further reduction in the cost of ultra-rapid charging is brilliant to see and shows that chargepoint operators can act quickly to pass on cost savings to drivers.
“Ultra-rapid charging can be cheaper by the mile than petrol and gives more food for thought to those who are considering making the swap from combustion cars to EVs.
“Recent data shows that business and company car drivers are the ones most likely to make the switch to electric because of the tax benefits. These drivers tend to drive longer distances and will use the ultra-rapid network when out on the road. Any fears they may have before taking the keys will quickly disappear as they enjoy a growing charging network alongside low cost energy.
“Transparent and competitive pricing of charging at home and on the road is an essential part of encouraging private and business drivers to go electric.”
* Average prices are the PAYG options without connection fee as at 28 September 2023. Subscriptions are available for all charge point speeds which can unlock a cheaper p/kWh, however rates vary across provider.
Calculations based on adding 80% to a Vauxhall e-Corsa, 50kW, with a WLTP range of 222 miles. Adding 80% range equates to 178 miles of range. Vauxhall e-Corsa specifications here: Corsa_Spec_ePG_5_January_2023.pdf (vauxhall.co.uk)
Calculations based on Vauxhall Corsa 1.2L (75PS) Petrol with a 40 litre tank. 80% refuel = 32 litres.
Petrol: 32 litres @ 151.74 ppl = £48.56. Combined MPG of 47.9 = 335 miles at 14.49 p/mile.
Vauxhall Corsa specifications here: Corsa_Spec_ePG_5_January_2023.pdf (vauxhall.co.uk)
** The Highways UK conference takes place at the NEC on the 18/19 October. Edmund King takes part in this panel at the EV and Alt Fuels Theatre, 19th October, 12:25-13:05 – ‘How can far can policy go in enabling the public's transition to electric vehicles’ https://www.terrapinn.com/exhibition/highways-uk/index.stm