Electric car charging costs are finally heading in the right direction — down. A shake-up in the UK’s public charging market has seen several operators exit key regions, triggering a drop in fast-charging prices by up to 37p per kWh. For drivers, that means cheaper top-ups and more affordable long-distance travel, especially as electric car adoption continues to rise. With fewer high-cost providers in the mix, competition is forcing prices lower, giving motorists a rare financial win.
A Shock Drop In Charging Costs
In a rare win for UK motorists, the cost of charging an electric car has dropped significantly — and it’s all thanks to a major shake-up in the public charging market. According to the latest AA EV Recharge Report, fast charging prices have fallen by as much as 37p per kWh after one of the UK’s more expensive chargepoint operators exited the fast-charging sector..
That’s a big deal. With the average price per kWh dropping from 87p in July to just 50p, drivers are now paying around £20 to add 80% charge — a welcome relief at a time when petrol and diesel prices continue to climb.
Who’s Left The Market?
The operator in question hasn’t been officially named in the AA report, but Fleet News confirms that Compleo and Plug Me In (PMI) are among the firms pulling out of the UK charging market altogether. Both cited tough trading conditions, volatile energy prices, and slower-than-expected progress on government net-zero policies as reasons for their exit.
Compleo, which had contracts with Network Rail and several local councils, will now transition support to its parent company in Germany. PMI, meanwhile, is shifting focus to solar installations after withdrawing from domestic EV charging last year.
What It Means For Drivers
For everyday drivers, this shake-up has had an immediate impact. With fewer high-cost operators in the mix, competition has forced prices down — especially in the 50kW to 149kW fast-charging bracket, which many motorists rely on for quick top-ups during longer journeys, says GB News.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA, said: “The actions of one operator have made a massive difference to the price of charging, and in a positive way for EV owners.” He also noted that targeted price drops during the summer holidays helped drivers save more than expected.
Infrastructure Still Expanding
Despite the exits, the UK’s public charging network continues to grow. According to GB News, the latest data from Zapmap shows over 85,000 public charging devices across nearly 43,000 locations, with a 25% increase in installations over the past year. The government’s goal of 300,000 chargers by 2030 remains ambitious, but progress is being made.
Still, the cost of using public chargers remains a sticking point. The AA’s UK EV Readiness Index highlights that pricing is one of the biggest barriers to electric car adoption — especially for drivers without off-street parking or access to home charging.
VAT And Standing Charges Under Fire
Motoring groups are now urging the government to step in. One of the biggest asks? Cutting VAT on public charging from 20% to 5%, to match the rate applied to home chargers. The AA, Charge UK, and other industry voices argue that this would level the playing field and make the electric car more accessible.
Chargepoint operators are also grappling with rising costs. Since 2021, energy bills have surged by 79%, and standing charges have ballooned — making it harder for providers to pass savings on to customers.
Cousens added: “With the right interventions, prices could be even cheaper and make the case for EVs even more compelling. Matching domestic VAT is just the tip of the iceberg — action on standing charges and extending levy exemptions would hel.p keep charging costs down.”
Final Thoughts
The exit of key players from the UK’s charging market has unexpectedly delivered a win for motorists — slashing prices and making electric car ownership more affordable. But the long-term picture depends on government action, industry resilience, and continued investment in infrastructure.
For now, though, electric car drivers can enjoy a rare moment of relief at the plug — and hope that more competition, not less, continues to drive prices in the right direction
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