Public EV Charging Station Costs in the UK

Understanding public EV charging costs is an important part of electric vehicle ownership. Although many EV owners charge at home with a dedicated home charger, you may also need to charge away from home from time to time, when you are planning longer journeys or need to top up when you are out and about. Of course, some EV drivers do not have a driveway and therefore cannot install a home EV charger and therefore rely on public charge points regularly. Whatever your reason, knowing what it costs to charge your electric car helps you budget more effectively.

Here, Skywell explains how public EV charging prices work, what affects the average cost, how rapid and ultra-rapid charging stations compare, and what this means in real terms for Skywell BE11 Standard and Long Range models.

How Public EV Charging Works

Public charging stations are designed to support electric vehicles when home charging isn’t available or practical. Many businesses have installed charging points in recent years to support customers and generate revenue. They can be most commonly found at:

• Supermarkets
• Motorway services
• Car parks
• Retail parks
• Hotels
• On-street locations

These public chargers vary in power, speed, and price, which is why costs can vary significantly across charge points.

How Public EV Charging Is Priced

Most UK public charge points price electricity by the kilowatt hour (kWh), the same unit used on your home energy bill, but the final cost can be affected by more than just the energy you use. Some charging networks also apply connection or session fees, charge by the minute rather than purely by energy consumed, or add idle fees if your vehicle remains plugged in after it has finished charging.

Typical UK Public Charging Prices

Charger Type	Power	Typical Cost per kWh
Slow public	3–7 kW	£0.30–£0.45
Fast public	7–22 kW	£0.40–£0.60
Rapid public	50 kW	£0.65–£0.80
Ultra-rapid public	100–350 kW	£0.75–£0.95

*These are example prices only and can fluctuate by network, location, and time of day.

Rapid and Ultra-Rapid Charging

Rapid and ultra-rapid chargers are designed for convenience, not cost efficiency. They’re ideal when you’re on a long trip and need a quick top-up, as they can deliver your charge much faster than the slower options.

You pay more because:

• Higher grid demand
• Expensive infrastructure
• Prime locations
• Faster turnaround

This convenience premium is typical, similar to paying a premium for fuel at motorway services.

Cost to Charge Skywell BE11 Models on Public Chargers

Skywell BE11 Standard Range (72 kWh battery)

Charger Type	Cost per kWh	Estimated Cost (0–100%)
Slow / Fast public	£0.45	~£32.40
Rapid public	£0.75	~£54.00
Ultra-rapid public	£0.90	~£64.80

Skywell BE11 Long Range (86 kWh battery)

Charger Type	Cost per kWh	Estimated Cost (0–100%)
Slow / Fast public	£0.45	~£38.70
Rapid public	£0.75	~£64.50
Ultra-rapid public	£0.90	~£77.40

These are illustrative examples. Most EV drivers don’t charge from 0–100% in one session, especially on rapid public chargers, as it’s not recommended practice for your long-term battery health.

Home Charging vs Public Charging Costs

Home charging is almost always the cheapest way to charge your Skywell EV, with typical household electricity costs sitting around £0.20–£0.30 per kilowatt hour. If you’re on an overnight EV tariff, the cost can be even lower, making home charging not only more convenient but significantly more cost-effective than relying on public charge points.

Model	Battery Size	Typical Home Charge Cost
BE11 Standard	72 kWh	£14.40–£21.60
BE11 Long Range	86 kWh	£17.20–£25.80

Public charging is primarily about convenience rather than savings. It’s ideal for long trips, useful when home charging isn’t available, and offers access to faster charging speeds, but it typically comes with higher per-kilowatt-hour prices. As a result, most EV drivers use a mix of both, relying on home charging for everyday use and turning to public charging stations mainly for longer journeys.

Cost Per Mile: Electric vs Petrol or Diesel

Even when relying on public charging, electric vehicles are still typically cheaper per mile than most petrol or diesel cars. For example, using rapid public charging at around £0.75 per kilowatt hour, a Skywell BE11 averaging roughly three miles per kWh would cost about 25p per mile to run. By comparison, petrol or diesel vehicles often cost 20–30p per mile or more, depending on fuel prices and efficiency. When charging at home, those costs can drop dramatically, often to just 5–10p per mile.

Why Public Charging Prices Vary

Public charging costs can vary widely depending on charger power, location, grid connection costs, parking fees, individual network pricing models, time-based charges and overall demand. This is why two public charging points just a few miles apart can have very different prices for exactly the same amount of electricity. Charging apps can help you find the cheapest chargers in your area.

How to Save on Public Charging Costs

If you rely on public charge points, here are some ways to reduce your spend:

Use Charging Apps

Compare prices between networks.

Avoid Ultra-Rapid When You Don’t Need It

Slower chargers are cheaper.

Don’t Stay Plugged In

Idle fees can add up.

Use Home Charging When Possible

Public charging should be the exception, not the rule.

Understanding Public EV Charging Costs

Public charging while more expensive than charging your car at home, is an essential part of the UK’s EV infrastructure. It offers flexibility, speed, and convenience, especially for long journeys.

The BE11 Standard and Long Range models are designed to deliver strong range and fast-charge capability, giving you confidence wherever you plug in.