Change to our charging prices
We're making some changes to our charging prices from 26 November 2026. Here's what's changing, why, and how we're helping you keep your charging costs down.
What’s changing and what’s staying the same?
Your weekend rate is staying the same. On weekdays, the night, day and evening rates are going up, and a new peak rate applies from 4pm to 7pm.
Here's what's staying the same
Saturday and Sunday, all day: 54p/kWh
Here's what's changing
Weekday night, 12am–7am: 39p → 44p/kWh. This is still our lowest rate and one of the lowest on-street charging rates around.
Weekday day and evening, 7am–4pm and 7pm–12am: 59p → 63p/kWh.
New weekday peak, 4pm–7pm: 59p → 75p/kWh. This one looks like it would sting, but Peak Pause will automatically pause your charging during these hours, so you're protected from the higher cost.
Together, nights and weekends account for 67.9% of all the electricity our drivers use, so most of your charging stays at our lowest prices.
Tariffs can vary by location, so the easiest way to check exactly what you'll pay is in the char.gy app before you charge.
What does this mean for my charging costs?
We've looked at the impact of these changes on a typical driver using our network. Based on current charging behaviour, we estimate the changes will add approximately £6.80 per month to the average driver's charging costs when charging off-peak.
We know everyone's charging habits are different, so here are some simple ways to keep your costs down:
Charge overnight on weekdays. 12am–7am is our lowest rate, at 44p/kWh.
Top up at the weekend. It's 54p/kWh all day on Saturday and Sunday.
Let Peak Pause do its job. It's on automatically and stops you paying the 75p/kWh peak rate by accident.
If you use the char.gy app, turn on notifications. We'll let you know when your charging has been paused for peak, so you're never caught out.
Why are prices changing?
Energy costs have been climbing for some time, and this winter wholesale electricity is more than 50% higher than it was a year ago.
What's behind the rise?
High gas prices are pushing up the cost of electricity. Gas power stations still generate a large share of Britain's electricity, and they often set the price everyone pays for it. International gas prices remain high and volatile, largely because of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, so when gas costs more, electricity does too.
The grid is being upgraded, and everyone who uses it helps pay for it. Britain's electricity network is going through a major programme of investment to make it more secure and to connect more homes, businesses and EV chargers. That cost is recovered through network charges paid by everyone who uses the grid, including us.
Unlike home energy, our prices aren't covered by the energy price cap. The price cap only applies to household energy bills. As a business, we buy electricity at market rates, so we feel the full effect when wholesale and grid costs go up.
Providing great value for our drivers is a priority, and we know nobody wants to pay more for their charge. That's why we've worked to hold our prices for as long as possible, and why we've designed these changes to keep the impact on you to a minimum.
Why peak pricing, and how we're helping you avoid it
Between 4pm and 7pm on weekdays, electricity demand is at its highest. It's when people arrive home, cook dinner and put the kettle on.
This is especially true in winter, when it gets dark earlier, the lights go on and homes turn the heating up. High demand makes electricity more expensive during these hours.
Every charge on our network is backed by Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGOs). These are certificates issued by Ofgem that match the electricity you use with electricity generated from renewable sources, such as wind and solar. Your charge is always renewable, whatever time you plug in. But charging outside peak hours helps reduce pressure on the grid when it's relying most on fossil fuels.
Put simply, 4pm–7pm on weekdays is the most expensive time to charge, and the hardest time for the grid. Wherever possible, we'll help you avoid it.
Peak Pause
Introducing Peak Pause
We're always looking for smarter ways to make on-street charging work better for drivers and for the grid. That's why we've developed Peak Pause.
It's a smart charging feature we've built ourselves to help you avoid charging at the higher peak rate by accident. It runs on weekdays from 4pm to 7pm, and it's switched on automatically. You don't need to do anything.
Here's how it works:
Already charging at 4pm? Plug in at 10am, for example, and you'll charge until 4pm, pause through the peak, then carry on from 7pm.
Plugging in between 4pm and 7pm? If you plug in during the peak, your charge will pause straight away.
Need to charge during peak? There may be times when you need the flexibility. You can override Peak Pause at any time and continue charging at the peak rate.
You'll automatically avoid charging when electricity is at its most expensive, and stay in control when life has other plans.
Check your price and manage Peak Pause in the char.gy app
You don't need the app to use Peak Pause, but it makes managing your charging much easier. With the char.gy app, you can:
Check your price before you charge. Tariffs can vary by location, so the app shows exactly what you'll pay at your charger before you plug in.
Get notified when your charging is paused. Turn on notifications and we'll let you know when Peak Pause has paused your charging for the peak period. Notifications are only available in the app.
Override Peak Pause in a few taps. If you need to keep charging during peak, you can choose to continue at the peak rate straight from your phone or in your browser.
We think public charging should be fairer
Drivers who rely on public charging already face higher costs than people who can charge their EV at home, and the gap has just got wider.
From 1 October 2026 to 1 July 2027, the government has removed VAT from home electricity, cutting it from 5% to 0%. Public charging wasn't included and is still charged at the full 20% rate. That means a driver charging on the street pays 20% VAT, while their neighbour with a driveway pays none.
We don't think that's fair. Drivers without a driveway shouldn't pay more simply because of where they live.
Alongside keeping our own prices as competitive as we can, we're continuing to campaign for public charging to be taxed at the same reduced rate as home electricity.
FAQs
Here's everything you need to know
When do the new prices start?
On 26 November 2026. Until then, you'll continue to pay our current prices.
Does the peak rate apply at weekends?
No. Saturday and Sunday stay at 54p/kWh all day.
Do I need to turn on Peak Pause?
No. Peak Pause is switched on automatically for all drivers, so you don't need to do anything.
Do I need the char.gy app to use Peak Pause?
No. Peak Pause works automatically for all drivers. The app makes it easier to check prices, get notifications and override Peak Pause if you need to.
What happens if I'm already charging at 4pm?
Your session will pause at 4pm and resume at 7pm, unless you choose to override Peak Pause.
Can I still charge during peak if I need to?
Yes. You can override Peak Pause at any time and continue charging during the peak period.
Will I be told when my charging is paused?
If you use the char.gy app with notifications turned on, we'll let you know when your charging has been paused for the peak period. Without the app, your charging will still pause at 4pm and resume at 7pm automatically.
Are prices the same at every charger?
Tariffs can vary by location. Check the specific charge point on our website or via the char.gy app for the exact price before you charge.
Do your prices include VAT?
Yes. All our prices include VAT at 20%, the standard rate for public charging.