If you are an EV driver in the UK, you have probably asked the same question many times this year: “When will public charging prices finally come down?” With energy markets stabilising after a turbulent period, more ultra-rapid chargers appearing across the country and new regulations on the horizon, 2026 could be the year the tide turns. But will prices genuinely fall, or simply level off? Let us look at what the data, industry behaviour and policy changes tell us.
Why Public Charging Prices Rose in the First Place
To understand what might happen in 2026, we need to understand why prices climbed between 2022 and 2024. Three major factors drove the rise:
- Wholesale electricity volatility during the energy crisis.
- Higher network operating costs as CPOs invested in rapid infrastructure.
- Limited competition in key motorway and rural locations.
Since then, wholesale prices have fallen back to pre-crisis stability levels. According to official UK energy analysis, today’s wholesale costs are significantly lower than those that drove previous hikes. Meanwhile, more networks have entered the market, increasing competition and placing natural downward pressure on price. These changes are essential for predicting 2026.
The 2026 Pricing Outlook: The Four Forces That Matter
Charging prices in 2026 will be shaped by four key forces: energy costs, regulation, competition and technology. Here is how each one is trending.
1. Wholesale Electricity Prices Are stabilising
Wholesale costs have now settled at levels far below the peaks of 2022 and 2023. While these prices do not always translate directly into what CPOs pay (because of fixed contracts and distribution charges), they remove one of the main pressures that pushed public charging to record highs. If these stable conditions continue, CPOs should have the margin space to adjust pricing downwards.
2. Competition Between Networks Is Heating Up
Previously, three or four major operators dominated the UK’s rapid-charging landscape. By the end of 2025, the number of competitive networks will be significantly higher, with more ultra-rapid hubs being built across the UK. Increased supply and a wider spread of infrastructure naturally reduce bottlenecks and encourage more competitive pricing.
The introduction of roaming platforms — and ONEEV’s partnership-driven approach — also gives drivers more choice on where they pay. That choice alone puts pressure on networks to keep prices reasonable.
3. New UK Regulations Are Coming in 2026
The UK’s evolving EV charging regulations will push operators to improve transparency, reliability and service consistency, particularly at rapid and ultra-rapid sites. While the government has not yet legislated a price cap, the regulatory push for clearer pricing and higher service standards could lead to greater public scrutiny and, indirectly, more competitive pricing.
Better reliability also reduces operator losses from downtime, which can contribute to price reduction over time.
4. Technology Is Making Charging Cheaper to Run
New charging hardware launching in 2025–2026 is faster, more efficient and more durable than previous generations. Improved cooling systems, modular components and better load balancing reduce downtime and maintenance costs — which means operators can offer better prices without affecting profitability.
With more EVs supporting higher charging speeds, utilisation rates are also increasing. Higher utilisation helps networks spread their infrastructure costs across more sessions, reducing the need for price hikes.
Will Prices Actually Drop in 2026?
Based on current trends, we expect three clear outcomes for public charging prices in 2026:
1. Rapid and Ultra-Rapid Prices Should Fall Modestly
Expect a gradual softening rather than a dramatic drop. Competition between networks will be the primary driver. Busy routes with overlapping operators — such as the M40, M4, M6 and M1 corridors — are prime candidates for early reductions.
2. Destination Chargers Could See the Biggest Decreases
Hotels, gyms and car parks increasingly view EV charging as an “amenity”, not a high-profit asset. As they compete for customers, destination charging prices may fall more visibly.
3. Price-Freezing, Bundles and Loyalty Rewards Will Increase
Even if prices do not fall dramatically, more options will appear to help drivers save money, including:
- Fixed-price charging bundles
- Roaming discounts via apps such as ONEEV
- Off-peak tariffs for slower chargers
- Cross-brand loyalty schemes
Members-only pricing is already becoming popular across Europe, and the UK will follow this pattern in 2026.
What About Charging Costs Compared to Petrol?
Even with elevated public charging rates, EVs continue to offer competitive long-distance travel costs — especially when drivers combine:
- Home charging on low-rate tariffs
- Short rapid top-ups at key points
- Optimised route planning via ONEEV
And as public charging prices gradually relax through 2026, the financial gap is likely to widen further in favour of EV drivers.
How ONEEV Helps Drivers Navigate 2026 Pricing
Whether prices rise or fall, ONEEV makes charging more affordable and predictable by giving drivers:
- Live charger pricing across thousands of locations, so you always know the cost before you plug in.
- Real-time availability to avoid wasted miles to full or offline chargers.
- Secure in-app payments that bypass unreliable and potentially tampered card readers.
- Access to roaming networks that unlock better prices and more choice.
The combination of better connectivity, broader access and transparent pricing makes 2026 a much stronger landscape for EV drivers.
Final Thoughts
While a dramatic, overnight drop in public charging prices is unlikely, 2026 is shaping up to be a far more stable and competitive year for UK EV charging. Falling wholesale costs, new charging technology, clearer regulations and increased competition all point to a gradual downward trend — especially at rapid and destination chargers.
With ONEEV’s growing network coverage, transparent pricing and secure in-app payments, drivers can navigate this new landscape with confidence, clarity and fewer surprises on long winter journeys.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will rapid charging become cheaper in 2026?
Prices are expected to soften modestly due to increased competition, more infrastructure and stabilised electricity costs.
Why did public charging prices rise previously?
Wholesale electricity volatility, rising operating costs and limited competition pushed prices upward between 2022 and 2024.
Can ONEEV help lower my charging costs?
ONEEV offers transparent prices, secure payments and roaming access, helping drivers find better-value charging options.
