Cost of Charging Electric Car Surges

The cost of charging an electric car has surged due to energy price rises, providing a potential obstacle to drivers making the switch from more traditionally fuelled vehicles.

With the Government keen for road users to be greener in approach – they have a 2050 net zero target in terms of emissions – this latest trend identified by the RAC will come as a blow.

The motoring group said those using rapid public charging points were now paying almost the same for electricity as those who pay for petrol (per mile).

Although charging at home is cheaper, the massively increased electricity and gas prices are affecting this area of electric vehicle charging too.

The jump in price for use of rapid chargers – they’ve risen 42% since May – means drivers are getting 18p per mile for electricity, 1p less per mile than you’d get from petrol in a car, based on someone driving at an average of 40 miles to the gallon.

RAC spokesman Simon Williams told the BBC: “For those that have already made the switch to an electric car or are thinking of doing so, it remains the case that charging away from home costs less than refuelling a petrol or diesel car, but these figures show that the gap is narrowing as a result of the enormous increases in the cost of electricity.”

The Government’s support package to limit household bills to £2,500 per year will benefit drivers charging at home.

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