How much does it cost to rapid charge your electric car? UK average rapid charger price hits 53p per kWh

Mike Askew

30 Mar 2023

With dramatic increases in wholesale electricity costs, rapid charging prices are rising across the network. For drivers who are unable to take advantage of cheaper domestic energy tariffs, these increases represent serious increases in running costs - at a time when budgets are under unprecedented strain.

Electrifying.com has collated all current DC rapid charging prices and ranked providers from the cheapest to the most expensive. As some charge point providers have different tariffs for different charging speeds and, in some cases, locations, we have itemised these according to speed available. 

Some operators, such as PodPoint and Mer, have different pricing according to location. Where possible, we have found the highest charges. Drivers may be able to charge at lower prices on these networks. 

The difference between the highest and lowest prices suggests that drivers who want to manage their budgets should shop around. A 10-80% charge on a car with a 58kWh battery (such as a VW ID.3 or Cupra Born) would cost £34.51 on a Shell Recharge ultra rapid and £26.80 on Gridserve Ultra.

The prices shown shown for all brands show the highest price currently charged for a pay-as-you-go customers. In some cases, having a membership or monthly subscription cost can work out cheaper as these customers will pay less per kWh. The figures also exclude any manufacturer deals such as Hyundai and Kia’s heavily discounted IONITY membership. 

Some providers (such as Tesla and Chargeplace Scotland) have varying fees at different locations. Other (such and Geniepoint) offer off-peak rates.

Electrifying.com has calculated that the average cost of UK public rapid charging (based on PAYG access) is now 53p per kWh. That means an average electric car such as a Volkswagen ID.3 58kWh will cost £21.51 to charge from 10-80%. 

Current pricing per pence for pay-as-you-go access to a rapid charger

Shell Recharge Ultra-Rapid 175kW : 85p/kWh

ChargePlace Scotland : 85p/kWh

Osprey : 79p/kWh 

Shell Recharge Rapid 50kW : 79p/kWh 

Swarco EConnect : 79p/kWh 

MFG EV Power : 79p/kWh 

Instavolt : 75p/kWh

GeniePoint : 75p/kWh 

IONITY : 74p/kWh

ESB : 74p/kWh 

Fastned : 73p/kWh

PodPoint (non Tesco) : 73p/kWh 

MER Ultra Rapid 75kW : 72p/kWh 

bp pulse : 69p/kWh

PodPoint Tesco 75kW : 69p/kWh 

Gridserve High Power 350kW : 66p/kWh

PodPoint Lidl 50kW : 65p/kWh 

PodPoint Tesco 50kW : 62p/kWh

Tesla Public : 61p/kWh 

Raw Charging 300kW : 57p/kWh 

Tesla owner 45 EB Charging : 44p/kWh

Average rapid charger price: 70p/kWh


All figures correct as of 30th April  2023.










PodPoint rapid chargers at Lidl and Tesco are currently among the cheapest to use in the UK, despite recent rises

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