Electric vehicle drivers are being charged more to top up their batteries on long journeys than people behind the wheel of petrol cars pay for fuel, according to new analysis. The RAC said the average price of using rapid chargers on a pay as you go basis has increased by nearly 26p per kilowatt hour (kWh) since May, reaching 70.3p per kWh this month.
This rise – caused by the soaring wholesale costs of gas and electricity – means drivers pay around 20p per mile for their electricity when using the chargers. The per mile cost for a petrol car achieving an economy of 40 miles to the gallon is 17p while the equivalent cost for drivers of diesel cars is 20p per mile.
Most electric car owners predominantly use slower chargers at home, which cost less than half the price of public rapid devices. But those taking longer trips beyond the range of their car’s battery depend on rapid and ultra rapid public chargers to complete their journeys.
