Electric vehicle charging changes to see prices plummet for drivers in Europe but Britons will miss out
Drivers will see costs fall at hundreds of chargers around Europe
IONITY
Electric vehicle drivers are set to benefit from new charging changes which could see them spend less to stay on the road after visiting a public charger, although it will take longer for UK drivers to pay less.
The latest data from Zapmap shows that there are more than 62,500 public chargers around the country, as of the end of May 2024.
These are spread across almost 33,000 locations, with 1,304 new EV chargers added to the Zapmap database last month.
As the public charging network continues to grow, major chargepoint operator Ionity has announced plans to slash prices and introduce tailored tariffs across the UK.
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Drivers in the UK will pay an average of 74p per kWh without a tariff
IONITY
Ionity said it was doing this to make High Powered Charging (HPC) - which can reach rates of up to 350kW - affordable to all electric car owners.
The Munich-based brand said it was creating country-specific tariffs that "flexibly cater to customers' charging needs", as is the case for other European countries.
At the end of May, the brand lowered its Ionity Direct charging prices in 12 countries, with prices per kilowatt hour being available for as little as 43p, although the Ionity website states that drivers in the UK will still have to pay 74p/kWh.
Before the end of the year, Ionity hopes to take its UK charging presence from 186 devices to 700 chargers, with work already underway to complete this goal.
This would make Ionity the seventh-largest rapid and ultra-rapid chargepoint operator in the UK, overtaking brands like GeniePoint and ChargePlace Scotland.
Andreas Atkins, general manager of UK and Ireland at Ionity, said this was being done to address "grey spots" around the UK where infrastructure and access is lacking.
He added: “To reflect the economic situation in the UK as well as our constant devotion to providing green and accessible charging, I am proud to announce that we are lowering our prices to our customers across Europe.
"The new tariffs will allow flexibility, and choice for UK EV drivers, making charging cheaper than some of our competitors and allowing them to charge at ease through the app.
"Our map of charging sites is expanding rapidly with recent openings in Belfast, Bodmin and Lewes, three areas that have lacked the correct charging infrastructure that provides flexible, convenient and rapid charging.”
The brand also launched two new tariffs available to customers depending on how much they drive and charge their electric vehicles in public.
The Ionity Passport Motion is ideal for users driving between 80 and 105 miles per month, with a monthly base fee of £5.49 - or £3.88 for the first month.
The price per kWh is just 53p, with Ionity claiming that the monthly base fee will be paid back with just one charging session per month at its charging network.
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Ionity has more than 3,800 chargers around the world
IONITY
For drivers who travel more frequently, Ionity also has the Passport Power tariff with a £10 monthly fee (£7 for the first month) at a rate of 43p per kWh, with the brand aiming it at those who are likely to be on frequent business trips and holidays.
Ionity clarified that flexible terms would be available to allow drivers to change their plans based on their situation and needs.