Let's Look at How to Get Cheap Public EV Charging!

Why It Matters

Understanding and navigating low‑cost public charging options can make EV ownership financially viable for a broader audience, directly influencing adoption rates and the UK's decarbonisation targets.

Key Takeaways

• Public EV charging costs driven by infrastructure and capacity fees.
• Off‑peak rates and subscriptions can cut mileage cost below diesel.
• UK pricing higher than France/Germany due to licensing and grid charges.
• Pricing hurdle: users must navigate apps, cards, or subscriptions.
• Cheapest options include Tesla off‑peak, BEV subscription, and low‑cost AC sites.

Summary

The episode examines how UK EV owners can secure cheap public charging, contrasting the nation’s high tariffs with lower‑cost models abroad. It explains why public rates are steep—large capital outlays for super‑hubs, standing and capacity charges, and a 20% VAT—while highlighting recent regulatory relief from the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025.

Key data points include the £30 million cost of the InstaVolt Winchester Super Hub, typical tariffs of 80‑90p/kWh for premium operators, and off‑peak or subscription rates that drop to 22‑39p/kWh. Drivers who charge at home enjoy 2‑7.5p/mile, but those reliant on public networks can still beat diesel if they exploit lower‑priced operators or time‑of‑day discounts.

The host cites concrete examples: Tesla owners pay 22‑27p/kWh off‑peak; BEV’s £9.99/month plan reduces rates to 39p/kWh; Lidl’s 40p/kWh AC offering requires an app; and a former Podpoint site at Aldi sells at 25p/kWh. He also uses the “pricing hurdle” analogy—comparing EV charging subscriptions to Oyster‑card discounts—to illustrate consumer friction.

Implications are clear: while cheap charging exists, uptake hinges on users overcoming setup barriers. Policy shifts that lower licensing fees and encourage off‑peak pricing could accelerate EV adoption, especially for drivers without home chargers, by narrowing the cost gap with fossil fuels.

Original Description

I wanted to revisit this topic because there’s still so much noise around the cost of charging an EV, especially if you rely on public networks.

In this episode, I take a fresh look at where we are with public charging costs in the UK, what’s actually driving those prices, and whether it’s really as expensive as people think. We also dig into something I’ve been exploring recently, the idea of the “pricing hurdle” and why cheaper charging options aren’t always as simple as they seem.

What You’ll Discover

- Why Public Charging Feels Expensive: It’s not just electricity, it’s infrastructure, grid costs, maintenance, and everything behind the scenes that drives prices up.

- The Pricing Hurdle Explained: Cheaper charging exists, but it often requires effort like apps, subscriptions, or charging at specific times.

- How to Actually Reduce Your Costs: From off-peak charging to subscriptions and destination charging, there are real ways to bring costs down if you’re willing to adapt.

What really stands out to me is how misleading the headline can be. Yes, public charging can be expensive, but that’s only part of the story. There are cheaper options out there, but they come with trade-offs. Time, effort, planning, or flexibility. And that’s where the real decision sits. Not just how much you pay, but what you’re willing to do to pay less.

There’s also a bigger shift happening. More operators are introducing off-peak pricing and subscription models, which is starting to change the landscape. It’s not perfect yet, but it does feel like things are moving in the right direction.

If you’re relying on public charging or trying to make the numbers work for an EV, this episode will help you see the full picture and make more informed choices.

Episode produced by Arran Sheppard at Urban Podcasts: https://www.urbanpodcasts.co.uk

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