While other retailers have long been slow on the uptake in this regard, the UK government introduced new laws in November 2023 to ensure that chargepoint operators openly display the cost of charging “on the public charge point or through a separate device”, once again to increase pricing transparency.

Tesla has already introduced this concept on its latest V4 Supercharger, with Sainsbury’s’ new Smart Charge programme also incorporating chargers featuring live pricing data and contactless payment.

Cousens continued: “Prices that can be seen from the road will lead to good competition, and displaying them on price boards is great news. Not only will it show how cheap an EV is to run, it will raise the profile of chargepoints generally as drivers will notice there are more than they think.”

However, despite the AA’s calls for a slash in VAT from 20 to five per cent in order to make public EV charging even more affordable and enticing, the government claims such a tax cut “would impose additional pressure on the public finances to which VAT makes a significant contribution.

“We are disappointed that the Government has decided to rule out equalising VAT between domestic and public EV charging at this stage,” Cousens said. “However, The AA will be campaigning on behalf of all drivers ahead of a General Election to make this ambition happen.”

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