Millions of electric vehicle (EV) owners in the UK are bracing for higher charging costs starting April 1st, following a recent ruling by the energy regulator, Ofgem. The agency announced a 6.4% increase in the energy price cap, directly impacting the cost of charging EVs.
The new charges will see the price per kilowatt hour (kWh) rise from 24.86p to 27.06p. This means that for a typical EV with a 60kWh battery, the cost of a full charge will jump by approximately 8%, from £14.90 to £16.20. Hybrid vehicle owners will also see costs rise.
Aidan Rushby, founder and CEO of Carmoola, commented on the price hike, saying, “Rising energy costs will continue to drive up monthly bills for electric vehicle owners.” He further noted that a recent survey indicated that nearly a third of Britons were hesitant to switch to EVs due to the rising energy costs, a number he believes will likely increase following the Ofgem announcement.
To mitigate the impact of these price increases, Rushby advises EV owners to charge their vehicles at home whenever possible and to explore off-peak tariffs offered by their energy providers. These measures can help reduce charging costs by taking advantage of cheaper electricity rates during off-peak hours.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, also weighed in on the situation. He acknowledged the ongoing concerns about the reliability of the public charging network, stating, “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.”
Ofgem CEO Jonathan Brearley acknowledged that the price increase is not welcome news for many, but he emphasized the impact of international gas markets on wholesale prices. He added that driving investment in a cleaner, domestic energy system is more critical than ever.
