Ultra-rapid peak and off-peak electric vehicle (EV) charging prices fall, while other speeds at variable and flat tariffs increase, new figures from the AA show.
Off-peak ultra-rapid charging costs in December fell, on average, by 10% or 5p per kWh, according to the latest AA’s EV Recharge report.
Priced at 45p/kWh, they are now on par with, or cheaper than, all other charging speeds when it comes to the average cost for charging at off-peak times.
Ultra-rapid off-peak rates fell by 5p/kWh with peak rates falling by 1p/kWh in December. It meant that those willing to charge their car at ‘unsocial’ hours, could add 80% battery for less than £20.
Elsewhere, off-peak rapid costs rose by 3p, pushing the average cost to 58p/kWh, whereas rapid peak rates, alongside fast, rapid and ultra-rapid flat rate costs increased by a penny. The average cost to add 80% battery at the fastest speed moved to £31.60.
Pump prices, meanwhile, fell during the month, with the petrol price down, on average, 4p a litre (137.5p in early December to 133.5p last week) or 3%.
Wholesale petrol costs have fallen 7p a litre, worth 8.4p at the pump with VAT, but only half of that potential saving has so far been passed on to drivers.
For those charging up at home, the cost per mile is half that of petrol, says the AA.
Charging at the kerbside on a flat rate is half a penny a mile cheaper while the off-peak tariff averages more than 1.5p a mile less expensive.
The same cost advantage is now enjoyed by electric car owners powering up off-peak from one of the fastest chargers.
Flat rates December 2025
Charge Type
Speed
Dec Ave (p/kWh)
Nov Ave (p/kWh)
Difference (p/kWh)
Cost to add 80% charge
Pence per mile (p/mile)
Domestic
Up to 7kW
26
26
0
£10.40
5.88
Slow
Up to 8kW
50
50
0
£20.00
11.30
Fast
8-49kW
62
61
1
£24.80
14.01
Rapid
50-149kW
74
73
1
£29.60
16.72
Ultra-rapid
+150kW
79
78
1
£31.60
17.85
PETROL
136.50 ppl
136.70 ppl
-0.20 ppl
£43.68
11.93
Source: AA EV Recharge Report
Peak and off-peak rates December 2025
Charge Type
Speed
Dec Ave (p/kWh)
Nov Ave (p/kWh)
Difference (p/kWh)
Cost to add 80% charge
Pence per mile (p/mile)
Slow Off-Peak
Up to 8kW
45
45
0
£18.00
10.17
Slow Peak
Up to 8kW
59
59
0
£23.60
13.33
Fast Off-Peak
8-49kW
45
45
0
£18.00
10.17
Fast Peak
8-49kW
50
50
0
£20.00
11.30
Rapid Off-Peak
50-149kW
58
55
3
£23.20
13.11
Rapid Peak
50-149kW
75
74
1
£30.00
16.95
Ultra-rapid Off-Peak
+150kW
45
50
-5
£18.00
10.17
Ultra-rapid Peak
+150kW
58
59
-1
£23.20
13.11
PETROL
136.50 ppl
136.70 ppl
-0.20 ppl
£43.68
11.93
Source: AA EV Recharge Report
Looking back at previous AA analysis, off-peak slow charging prices have fallen from 67p/kWh to 59p/kWh since 2024, whereas peak rates have seen a small increase of 2p to 45p/kWh.
Fast off-peak rates, meanwhile, have fallen by 43% in two years, and rapid off-peak rates have dropped by 23%.
The data also shows ultra-rapid off-peak prices have fallen by 11% to 58p/kWh in 2025, compared with 65p/kWh in 2023.
The losers have been flat rate charging, with all prices experiencing increases in costs. Slow charging has risen 13p from 2023 to 50p/kWh, whereas fast charging has increased 7p in two years.
Flat rate rapid charging has risen from 65p/kWh in 2023 to 74p/kWh in 2025, and ultra-rapid charging has increased 13% to 79p/kWh.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at he AA, said: “The cuts to ultra-rapid peak and off-peak rates would’ve been welcome to those travelling around at Christmas, especially if they got themselves caught in lengthy jams.
“Reflecting on how prices have changed since 2023, it is clear that charge point operators offering peak and off-peak rates are the most competitive, whereas flat rate providers have seen steady increases over the same period.
“Cutting VAT on public charging is an easy win, and we urge the Chancellor to carry this out at the earliest opportunity.
“Cheaper charging away from home will help give more confidence to those drivers considering making the switch to an EV.”
Equalising VAT to 5% across the public network would see ultra-rapid costs fall to around 66p/kWh, making the cost to charge cheaper than 2023 prices, according to the AA.
