A new snapshot analysis from EV charging industry body ChargeUK has shown that the cost of charging an EV on the public networks is now lower on average than petrol or diesel for the first time in over a year.

Average prices for charging on the public EV charging network rose 38 per cent between 2021 and 2025. However, with petrol prices surging in recent weeks in response to global conflict and public EV charging remaining comparatively stable, the cost of fuelling a petrol or diesel car has surpassed charging an EV on the public network in most scenarios.

The new analysis, based on RAC Fuel Watch and Zapmap Price Index figures, shows that when charging on a standard charger (such as on-street or in a local car park) at the national average cost of £0.54 per kWh, with typical efficiency, 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 per cent 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.

However, the new analysis also shows that based on today’s prices, EV drivers who are reliant on public charging would be likely to pay more than petrol and diesel again after the introduction of the government’s 3p per mile eVED tax in 2028.

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.”

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