This states in a rather biased way what we all know, electricity prices have risen dramatically over the last 12 months or so. For example the 7kW chargers at Tesco were free, now 44p per kW after the first 15 minutes. The point where it gets very expensive and, to some extent profiteering, is where remote ultra rapids or rapids are being priced at astonishing rates. There’s a car park in North Cornwall expecting an eyewatering £1.50 per kW, more than twice what it’d cost at motorway service stations. You’re realistically looking at between 65 and 85p per kW and the top end of that is more expensive than a petrol car. For destination chargers you’re now looking between 24p and 78p, again the top end is more expensive than a petrol car. However, all these numbers exclude the numerous discount opportunities that are available. Some electricity providers offer discounts on public charging through their app or cards, some manufacturers have deals discounting charging for 3 years and there’s the Motability deal, currently with BP Pulse, giving discounts on their chargers.
The reality is that you need to be able to charge at home to see the best financial return. Failing that you need to shop around, as you do with anything. I’ve seen people charging at our local Macdonalds (85ppkW) whereas a mile up the road there’s a Morrissons with a BP Pulse charger (65ppkW). Would you stop at a motorway service station when you knew there was a much cheaper petrol station around the corner?
To me there’s always a 2 stage consideration, I’ve been sat in traffic with the windows open in the heat and have had to shut them and put the aircon on because of the fumes, that’s not acceptable anymore, the hybrids help lots with that but the whole emissions at the tailpipe thing needs to be considered if you drive anywhere that’s built up. So that’s cost, because I don’t know anyone rich enough to be able to completely ignore costs, and air quality. That doesn’t mean that BEV is always the superior choice, just that a pure ICE is the least acceptable now.
I'm Autistic, if I say something you find offensive, please let me know, I can guarantee it was unintentional.
I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.
Mark