A lack of lower-priced ‘slow’ EV chargers risks pushing up costs for electric car drivers, says new research from the Motability Scheme.
More than one in two drivers say the tariff or price per kWh is the key reason to choose a particular charger. Despite this, many drivers are having to rely on more expensive rapid and ultra-rapid chargers, even at times when a fast charge is unnecessary.
When questioned, only 27 percent of drivers said charger proximity was important, while just one in five said charging speed was key.
Gaps in local infrastructure are forcing drivers to use pricier EV chargers, says the Motability Scheme.
Its own data shows that 25 percent of charging sessions took place last year on cheaper, slower chargers, compared to 75 percent on expensive rapid and ultra-rapid devices.
The insights perhaps run counter to a common assumption that ultra-rapid chargers are vital – but this convenience comes at a cost, which is not something that everyone can afford.
Motability customers paid an average of 74p per kWh in 2025. Slow public chargers can cost up to 30p per kWh less than this, highlighting the scale of the potential savings for EV drivers.
The Motability Scheme says many drivers lack slower, cheaper chargers close to where they live.
Those who don’t have home charging and want to use slow, more affordable public chargers rely on being able to leave their vehicle plugged in for longer periods.
However, in some parts of the UK, charge points can be far away – sometimes more than a 15-minute walk from home.
Contrast this with London, where more than four in five of households are within a five-minute walk from a public charger. Motability Scheme customers who live in the capital conducted nearly six in 10 charging sessions on money-saving slow chargers: the highest proportion in the UK.
‘Inspiring the next cohort of EV drivers will depend not just on interest in EVs, but on the experience people have once they use them,’ argues Motability.
‘While attitudes towards EVs remain stable, gaps in affordable, slow charging close to home are creating charging experiences that are often more expensive and less convenient than drivers expect. This is particularly detrimental for those without access to home charging.
‘Without the right infrastructure in place, it will be increasingly difficult to convert curiosity about EVs into confident, long-term uptake.’
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