Electric car drivers are spending £100s more on charging costs versus this time last year – and how to avoid it

ELECTRIC car owners are spending hundreds of pounds more on charging their vehicles compared to this time last year.

Surging energy prices have forced EV drivers to fork out an extra £220 a year – but thankfully there are several simple ways to keep costs down.

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Electric vehicle public charging costs have jumped by more than £200 per year[/caption]

According to research by GoCompare electric vehicle insurance and the UK’s leading EV charging app Zap-Map, it now costs an average of 48p per kWh to charge at a rapid/ultra-rapid device, compared to just 35p per kWh in December 2021.

Similarly, the cost per kWh at regular devices has increased from 24p to 33p in the same period.

Over a year this works out at an average increase of about £225 – from £607 last year to £832 in 2022.

However, EV enthusiasts can save some serious cash by charging at home or on slower, lower-powered units.

There are also growing numbers of free-to-use public charging points – including many at retail parks, supermarkets and tourist attractions.

EV drivers can also still claim to be in a better position than motorists who have to fill up at the pumps because charging stills works out cheaper than paying for petrol – at around £326 less per year.

With fuel prices currently through the roof, it costs an average of £1,246 to travel 8,000 miles – the average annual distance – in a petrol vehicle.

But in an EV, this falls to £923 – not taking into account further cost savings.

Ryan Fulthorpe, motoring expert at GoCompare said: “Our research finds that unfortunately, climbing energy costs will have a knock-on effect on electric vehicle owners, at a cost of over £200 per year.

“However, drivers can clearly see that when compared to the price of petrol, charging an electric car is still the cheaper option.

“So, if you’re looking to save money in the long-term and can afford to invest in an EV, this might be your sign to do so.

“Or, if you’re still unsure, consider switching to a hybrid car.

“These are a great way for motorists to dip their toe into the electric market, as they aren’t reliant on electricity alone.”

Melanie Shufflebotham, COO and co-founder of Zap-Map, added: “The rising costs of fuel are crippling for many.

“Electric vehicle charging costs are rising as well, but even factoring in charging at the most expensive rapid and ultra-rapid public chargers which are the closest equivalent of fuelling up at a petrol station, you could pay less than two-thirds of the cost. 

“In reality, many EV drivers charge at home for most of their energy needs or charge at less expensive low-powered public chargers over a longer period.

“Electric cars remain a good choice for low running costs during these uncertain times and of course far better in terms of impact on climate change and air quality emissions.”