Rising petrol and diesel prices across the UK has meant that the cost gap with public electric vehicle (EV) charging has been closed – but more UK Government needs to continue support, according to ChargeUK.
The analysis from the industry body found 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.
Average prices for charging on the public EV charging network rose 38% between 2021 and 2025. But petrol prices have surged in recent weeks in response to global conflict, while public EV charging remaining comparatively stable.
As a result, the data, which is based on RAC Fuel Watch and Zapmap Price Index figures, shows on a standard charger at the national average cost of 54p per kWh, drivers can expect to pay around 15p per mile, compared with a current rate of 17p for a typical petrol car or 17.5p for diesel.
Drivers using an 80/20% mix of standard and rapid public charging will pay around 16p per mile. Only those exclusively using public ultra-rapid charging will still pay more than liquid fuel.
It follows separate Auto Trader data which showed that new EVs are cheaper to buy on average than petrol models for the first time. Based on prices after discounts, the average price of a new EV has now undercut a petrol car.
ChargeUK is calling on the government to address the policy issues driving up charging prices, so that cheaper EV driving is locked in for the long term, not just in a time of war.
The industry body’s white paper, Delivering Affordable Charging For All, revealed at the start of the decade charging an EV was more affordable than fuelling a petrol or diesel car regardless of whether drivers charged at home or on the public network.
But while home charging has remained low cost – as little as 2p per mile today – public EV charging has increased by 38% since 2021, driven by policy changes including high standing charges.
In the November Budget, the UK Government committed to a review of the public cost of EV charging, which is now underway.
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. Following news that new electric cars are now cheaper than petrol, the cost of public charging is now the final hurdle for mass EV adoption.
“We need to see government take control of the situation to ensure the numbers stack up not just in a time of global crisis, but for the long term. The cost pressures currently pushing up public EV charging prices are largely within the government’s grasp, whereas the global pressures pushing up petrol and diesel prices are not.”
Ian Plummer, chief customer officer, Auto Trader, commented:
“Our analysis also shows the average price of a new EV, including discounts and government grants, has fallen below petrol for the first time ever. With the upfront price often being the biggest barrier to electric adoption, this is a key milestone in the UK’s transition and should hopefully signal the growing affordability of electric cars.
“While there’s lots to be positive about, interest spikes and growing new-car affordability don’t mean the transition is sorted. If the government is serious about a fair and accessible transition, it should do all it can to make public charging as affordable as possible.”
Melanie Shufflebotham, co-founder and COO, Zapmap said:
“At Zapmap we’ve been tracking the cost of charging on the public network since November 2023, using typical use-case scenarios. This shows that the vast majority of drivers choosing electric will enjoy total cost of ownership savings.
“We’re now seeing that for EV drivers with a typical 80/20 split between home and public charging, the cost saving of charging their EV compared to fuelling a petrol or diesel car is at the highest level since May 2024.
“However, in the UK we still have the highest public charging costs in Europe, and we welcome all measures to tackle this to help progress the transition to sustainable transport.”
Simon Williams, head of policy, RAC said:
“While the dramatic increase in petrol and diesel prices due to the conflict in Iran has understandably sparked increased interest in going electric, it remains the case that public charging costs are higher than they need to be.
“Issues outside of operators’ control such as 20% VAT on public charging, compared to 5% at home, and high standing charges aren’t helping. We hope the government will seek to address these issues so more people can make the switch to electric driving and charge affordably away from home.”
Image courtesy of Green Car Guide
