- British EV drivers pay the highest rates for high-power charging, at over €c14 per kilometre.
- LCP Delta’s CHARGEtrack tool shows significant tariff differences across 32 European countries, revealing mid-range prices in Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy.
- France offers the cheapest high-power charging at €c5/km, while the UK’s highest tariff exceeds €1/kWh (€c17/km).
LCP Delta’s CHARGEtrack data reveals expensive news for British EV drivers
British electric vehicle (EV) drivers pay the highest rates for high-power charging in Europe. On average, they shell out over €c14 per kilometre, that’s 74% more than drivers in France and Norway. EV drivers enjoy the lowest rates in these countries, paying just €c8.7 per kilometre.
The data comes from LCP Delta’s newly launched CHARGEtrack.
This tool analyses tariff data from thousands of charge point operators (CPOs) and emobility service providers across 32 European countries. The study focuses on ‘ad-hoc tariffs,’ which operate on a pay-as-you-go basis using credit or debit cards, similar to traditional fuel purchases.
In Germany, Europe’s largest passenger car market, EV drivers pay €c11.0 per kilometre for high-power charging. The Netherlands sees an average price of €c10.1 per kilometre, while in Italy, it stands at €c13.9 per kilometre.
John Murray, Head of EVs at LCP Delta, commented:
“For EV drivers that are reliant on public charging, comparing the different prices on offer can be a very complicated task.
Our research shows the large differences between tariffs and between countries. The most expensive tariff we found – in the UK – is three times more expensive than the cheapest tariff we came across in France. For the first time, this tool gives a bird’s eye view of public charging prices, bringing some much-needed clarity to the complex patchwork of tariffs. As the market grows, there will be increasing consumer scrutiny of this.”
This data is indicative of the lack of public charging subsidies or aid from the UK government. Private companies in the UK are actively boosting on-street charging, with some deals to slash costs. By and large, these schemes are focused on physical accessibility, as opposed to financial. Campaigns, open letters, and clarion calls to the UK government continue to flood in from major industry players. It’s time we address the public charging price gap, and solidify the promise that EVs are cheaper to run than their traditional alternatives.
