The cost of running electric cars at public chargers has skyrocketed over the past year, despite the decline in petrol prices. According to Zapmap, which monitors charge point installations, the price of charging vehicles away from home has increased by 11% in the last year. This surge in costs has led to electric vehicle owners paying more per mile than those with petrol cars.
Previously, electric vehicle drivers who charged at home for 80% of the time paid approximately 7p per mile, or £680 per year. However, those who relied on public charging stations exclusively are now paying 18p per mile or £1,810 annually. This is significantly higher than the average cost for a petrol car driver, who spends 15p per mile or £1,470 per year.
The rising costs of charging at public stations can be attributed, in part, to the increasing popularity of “ultra-rapid” chargers. These chargers, which accounted for 45% of all charging in December 2023 compared to 29% the previous year, tend to be pricier.
While homeowners with driveways can take advantage of domestic charge points and cheaper tariffs, the escalating cost of charging electric vehicles away from home poses a challenge for millions of motorists who do not have the option to install a home charger. This situation might discourage potential electric vehicle owners from making the switch.
In addition to the rising costs, Zapmap also highlighted the fact that electric vehicle drivers are generally less likely to shop around for the best charging deals compared to petrol drivers. This lack of comparison shopping could further contribute to the higher prices observed in public charging.
As the cost of manufacturing electric vehicles presents challenges for carmakers, companies like Renault and Stellantis are focusing on reducing costs. Renault aims to decrease the cost of producing electric cars by 40% by 2027.
In conclusion, the significant increase in the cost of charging electric vehicles at public stations over the past year compared to falling petrol prices poses financial challenges for electric vehicle owners. This situation might hinder the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, particularly for motorists who lack the option to install a home charger.
FAQ:
1. What has happened to the cost of running electric cars at public chargers over the past year?
– The cost of running electric cars at public chargers has skyrocketed by 11% in the last year.
2. How does the cost of charging electric vehicles at public stations compare to charging at home?
– Previously, electric vehicle drivers who charged at home paid approximately 7p per mile or £680 per year. However, those who relied on public charging stations are now paying 18p per mile or £1,810 annually.
3. How does the cost of charging electric vehicles at public stations compare to the cost of running petrol cars?
– Electric vehicle owners are now paying more per mile than petrol car owners. While electric vehicle owners pay 18p per mile, petrol car owners spend 15p per mile.
4. What is the main reason for the rising costs of charging at public stations?
– The increasing popularity of “ultra-rapid” chargers, which accounted for 45% of all charging in December 2023, has contributed to the rising costs.
5. How does the lack of home chargers affect the cost of charging electric vehicles?
– Homeowners with driveways can take advantage of domestic charge points and cheaper tariffs. However, the escalating cost of charging electric vehicles away from home poses a challenge for motorists who do not have the option to install a home charger.
6. What is the impact of rising costs on potential electric vehicle owners?
– The rising costs may discourage potential electric vehicle owners from making the switch due to the financial challenges associated with public charging.
7. How likely are electric vehicle drivers to shop around for the best charging deals?
– Electric vehicle drivers are generally less likely to shop around for the best charging deals compared to petrol drivers, according to Zapmap.
Key Terms:
– Zapmap: A service that monitors charge point installations for electric vehicles.
– Ultra-rapid chargers: Fast charging stations for electric vehicles.
– Driveways: Private driveways or parking spaces belonging to homeowners.
Suggested Related Links:
– Zapmap: Official website of Zapmap, the service mentioned in the article.
– Renault: Official website of Renault, the company mentioned in the article.
– Stellantis: Official website of Stellantis, the company mentioned in the article.