New analysis from industry body ChargeUK has shown that the cost of charging an EV on the public networks is now lower on average than petrol or diesel for the first time in more than a year.
The study, based on RAC Fuel Watch and Zapmap Price Index figures, shows that when charging on a standard charger – such as on-street or in a local car park – at the national average cost of 54p per kWh, with typical efficiency, drivers can expect to pay about 15p per mile, compared with a current rate of 17p for a typical petrol car or 17.5p for diesel.
Meanwhile, drivers using an 80/20 per cent mix of standard and rapid public charging will pay about 16p per mile.
ChargeUK said that only those exclusively using public ultra-rapid charging will still pay more than liquid fuel.
Average prices for charging on the public EV charging network rose 38% between 2021 and 2025, according to the organisation.
However, with petrol prices surging in recent weeks in response to global conflict and public EV charging remaining comparatively stable, the cost of fuelling a petrol or diesel car has surpassed charging an EV on the public network in most scenarios.
The organisation argues that while petrol prices are heavily influenced by global factors outside of the UK government’s control, public EV charging prices are largely inflated by policy costs that government can address.
Vicky Read, chief executive, ChargeUK said, “While this is not how we wanted to see the gap between public EV charging and petrol prices closed, it once again demonstrates the urgent need to make driving an EV more affordable for all.”
