Almost a year after introducing ‘charging for charging’ on the Electric Highway, Ecotricity have announced a new pricing structure which will take effect from 26th June.
Currently the main tariff for non-Ecotricity customers is £6 for 30 minutes (on 50 kW DC and 43 kW AC a rapid units). Exceptions include Ecotricity energy customers who have 52 free rapid charges per year as part of their home tariff, and charging at IKEA points which is refunded in store with £6 discount off purchases.
Under the new tariff structure, the cost of providing the service will be a flat-rate £3 connection fee for all sessions plus 17 pence per unit of electricity used (kWh).
Ecotricity claim that this will “typically lower the cost of charging for all makes and models as well as charge more proportionally for energy taken.”
However, Zap-Map calculations suggest a slight increase in overall charges. Based on an 80% charge for a 30 kWh Nissan LEAF, the cost would be £3.00 connection fee plus £4.08 for cost of electricity which equals £7.08. Compared with the current £6.00 cost, this is an increase of £1.08.
In cases where charging commences with some residual charge the costs are also unlikely to be reduced. Based on an 60% charge for a 30 kWh Nissan LEAF (20% start charge to 80% max), the cost would be £3.00 connection fee plus £3.06 for cost of electricity which equals £6.06.
In their release, Ecotricity also announced that there will be no connection fee for their domestic energy customers. We contacted Ecotricity and they stated: “As an Ecotricity customer you currently benefit from our original offer of 52 free charges in a year. We intend to maintain that offer until your first anniversary with us, or you have used your first 52 charges (whichever comes first). Then we will transfer you to the new charging model.”
Other changes announced are to the maximum charging time allowed which is now 45 mins (up from 30 minutes).
Zap-Map will update this page with any further releases and/or clarifications on the Ecotricity tariff. Last updated: 23/05/2017.
