EV home charging costs will increase in April according to the energy company regulator, Ofgem.
Currently, energy prices are capped at 24.86p per kWh, but they are set to increase to 27.06p per kWh. As a result, EV drivers on standard variable tariffs will see the cost of charging a typical 60kWh battery rise from £14.90 to £16.20.
Plug-in hybrid drivers will also face higher costs, with motorists paying over £4 for a standard 15kWh charge – more than 30p extra.
Speaking on the rise, founder and CEO of Carmoola, Aidan Rushby, said: Ofgem’s price cap adjustments affect households across the UK, and while warmer months are ahead and that will help with the costs of heating and lighting homes, rising energy costs will continue to drive up monthly bills for electric vehicle owners. With Ofgem announcing a 6.4% increase in the next price cap, EV drivers nationwide can expect a significant rise in their energy bills.”
The latest AA EV Recharge Report has revealed that, despite increases elsewhere, ultra-rapid peak and off-peak charging costs are decreasing. With the peak rate for an ultra-rapid (150Kw+) charger falling from 66p to 65p and the off-peak rate dropping from 48p to 47p.
Overall, flat rates for both rapid and ultra-rapid chargers increased by 1p per kWh.
Head of roads policy at the AA, Jack Cousens, said: “Once again, prices remain fairly static, with the bonus that charging at the fastest speed at off-peak hours fell even further in January. The continued scrutiny about the reliability of the public network is only to be expected and EV drivers will be honest and admit that it isn’t perfect. However, most queries and faults can be resolved remotely, with 95% of cases fixed on the phone.
He continued: “As the government are now capturing the reliability of the network, including how frequently devices are out of order, charge point operators will be desperate to top the charts for their units being ready to use.”
