EV drivers on trips away have received a boost as off-peak ultra-rapid charging costs in December plunged on average 10% or 5p per kWh, the AA has reported.
In its AA EV Recharge report, data revealed that prices were typically at 45 p/kWh – on par with or cheaper than all other charging speeds when it comes to the average cost for charging at off-peak times.
This is against a background of falling pump prices that have seen the average petrol price drop 4p a litre (137.5p in early December to 133.5p last week) or 3%.
Wholesale petrol costs have fallen 7p a litre, worth 8.4p at the pump with VAT, but only half of that potential saving has so far been passed on to drivers.
In the final month of 2025, ultra-rapid off-peak rates fell by 5p/kWh with peak rates falling by 1p/kWh, according to The AA’s EV Recharge report for December 2025. It meant that those willing to charge their car at ‘unsocial’ hours, could add 80% battery for less than £20.
Elsewhere, off-peak rapid costs rose by 3p, pushing the average cost to 58p/kWh, whereas rapid peak rates, alongside fast, rapid and ultra-rapid flat rate costs increased by a penny. The average cost to add 80% battery at the fastest speed moved to £31.60.
Meanwhile, the road fuel trade’s failure to pass on more fully lower petrol and diesel wholesale costs has handed EV owners a significant pence-per-mile saving over their fossil fuel counterparts. For those charging up at home, the cost per mile is half that of petrol.
Charging at the kerbside on a flat rate is half a penny a mile cheaper while the off-peak tariff averages more than 1.5p a mile less expensive. The same cost advantage is now enjoyed by electric car owners powering up off-peak from one of the fastest chargers.
AA EV Recharge Report, December 2025. Flat rates;
| Charge Type | Speed | Dec Ave (p/kWh) | Nov Ave (p/kWh) | Difference (p/kWh) | Cost to add 80% charge | Pence per mile (p/mile) |
| Domestic | Up to 7kW | 26 | 26 | 0 | £10.40 | 5.88 |
| Slow | Up to 8kW | 50 | 50 | 0 | £20.00 | 11.30 |
| Fast | 8-49kW | 62 | 61 | 1 | £24.80 | 14.01 |
| Rapid | 50-149kW | 74 | 73 | 1 | £29.60 | 16.72 |
| Ultra-rapid | +150kW | 79 | 78 | 1 | £31.60 | 17.85 |
| PETROL | 136.50 ppl | 136.70 ppl | -0.20 ppl | £43.68 | 11.93 | |
AA EV Recharge Report, December 2025. Peak and Off-Peak rates;
| Charge Type | Speed | Dec Ave (p/kWh) | Nov Ave (p/kWh) | Difference (p/kWh) | Cost to add 80% charge | Pence per mile (p/mile) |
| Slow Off-Peak | Up to 8kW | 45 | 45 | 0 | £18.00 | 10.17 |
| Slow Peak | Up to 8kW | 59 | 59 | 0 | £23.60 | 13.33 |
| Fast Off-Peak | 8-49kW | 45 | 45 | 0 | £18.00 | 10.17 |
| Fast Peak | 8-49kW | 50 | 50 | 0 | £20.00 | 11.30 |
| Rapid Off-Peak | 50-149kW | 58 | 55 | 3 | £23.20 | 13.11 |
| Rapid Peak | 50-149kW | 75 | 74 | 1 | £30.00 | 16.95 |
| Ultra-rapid Off-Peak | +150kW | 45 | 50 | -5 | £18.00 | 10.17 |
| Ultra-rapid Peak | +150kW | 58 | 59 | -1 | £23.20 | 13.11 |
| PETROL | 136.50 ppl | 136.70 ppl | -0.20 ppl | £43.68 | 11.93 | |
The AA has been tracking public EV prices since 2022, but has been able to split out peak and off-peak rates since 2023. Looking back at previous editions of the Recharge Report, there have been some winners and losers of EV costs.
Domestic rates alongside peak and off-peak rates are clear winners. The AA uses the OFGEM energy price cap as the baseline of domestic charging as it highlights the worst possible home tariff for consumers. That price has fallen by almost a quarter (24%) since 2023.
The majority of EV drivers are able to find a home charging tariff which unlocks charging rates as low as 4p/kWh during the early hours, meaning there are considerable savings to be made.
Off-peak slow charging prices have fallen from 67p/kWh to 59p/kWh, whereas peak rates have seen a small increase of 2p to 45p/kWh. Fast off-peak rates have fallen by 43% in two years, and rapid off-peak rates have dropped by 23%.
Ultra-rapid off-peak prices have fallen by 11% to 58p/kWh in 2025 compared to 65p/kWh in 2023.
The losers were flat rate charging, with all prices experiencing increases in costs. Slow charging has risen 13p from 2023 to 50p/kWh, whereas fast charging has increased 7p in two years.
Flat rate rapid charging has risen from 65p/kWh in 2023 to 74p/kWh in 2025, and ultra-rapid charging has increased 13% to 79p/kWh.
AA EV Recharge Report, December 2025 – December 2023. Flat rates;
| Charge Type | Speed | Dec 2025 Ave (p/kWh) | Dec 2024 Ave (p/kWh) | Dec 2023 Ave (p/kWh) |
| Domestic | Up to 7kW | 26 | 27 | 34 |
| Slow | Up to 8kW | 50 | 52 | 37 |
| Fast | 8-49kW | 62 | 58 | 55 |
| Rapid | 50-149kW | 74 | 72 | 65 |
| Ultra-rapid | +150kW | 79 | 72 | 70 |
| PETROL | 136.50 ppl | 136.60 ppl | 141.74 ppl | |
AA EV Recharge Report, December 2025 – December 2023. Peak and Off-Peak rates;
| Charge Type | Speed | Dec 2025 Ave (p/kWh) | Dec 2024 Ave (p/kWh) | Dec 2023 Ave (p/kWh) |
| Slow Off-Peak | Up to 8kW | 45 | 44 | 43 |
| Slow Peak | Up to 8kW | 59 | 69 | 67 |
| Fast Off-Peak | 8-49kW | 45 | 54 | 75 |
| Fast Peak | 8-49kW | 50 | 85 | 79 |
| Rapid Off-Peak | 50-149kW | 58 | 54 | 75 |
| Rapid Peak | 50-149kW | 75 | 85 | 79 |
| Ultra-rapid Off-Peak | +150kW | 45 | 48 | 57 |
| Ultra-rapid Peak | +150kW | 58 | 66 | 65 |
| PETROL | 136.50 ppl | 136.60 ppl | 141.74 ppl | |
The AA has argued that the discrepancy in VAT between domestic charging and public charging is providing a barrier to EV adoption. Recent news speculation suggests that the Chancellor is considering such a move, which The AA would welcome, it added.
Equalising VAT to 5% across the public network would see ultra-rapid costs fall to around 66p/kWh, making the cost to charge cheaper than 2023 prices.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for The AA, said:
“The cuts to ultra-rapid peak and off-peak rates would’ve been welcome to those travelling around at Christmas, especially if they got themselves caught in lengthy jams.”
Image from Shutterstock
