The government has announced it will cut prices for public EV charging across Britain to save drivers around £150 a year. The news was announced in the Budget 2026 on October 29 in a bid to give drivers who rely on electric vehicles some breathing space amid the current cost of living.
Rising EV adoption and charging network growth
EV sales are up 36% on last year, and more than 190,000 drivers have saved thousands making the switch to electric in the last year alone thanks to government funding. Despite more drivers turning to electric vehicles, the government believes the current costs of public charging could make some cautious about making the switch.
At present, there are over 124,000 public charging points across the UK, an increase of 7.4% year on year. With the announcement of lowered public EV charging prices, the government hopes drivers will save on average around £150 annually, making the change seem more appealing.
New funding for residential charging
The government also announced that from spring 2027, it will provide £100 million over 24 months to cut charging costs for drivers using public charge points near their homes. This proposal will cover EV points found on residential streets, which currently make up a third of the current charging network.
The government has already committed £600 million to support the rollout of more EV charging points across the country. This includes £480 million focused on the Local EV Infrastructure fund, which supports local authorities and charge point operators installing over 100,000 more chargers across England.
Government statement on the transition
A government spokesperson said: "The government is committed to the electric vehicle transition, which is key to meeting our net zero goals. It's driving growth and productivity, offering drivers savings of up to £1,750 per year compared to diesel or petrol, and delivering cleaner, quieter towns and cities across the UK."
"Volatile fuel costs show why we must move away from fossil fuels to cleaner, homegrown energy."
