Be.EV slashes ultra-rapid EV charging to 39p/kWh nationwide
Be.EV has announced a new pricing model that reduces the cost of ultra-rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging to 39p per kilowatt hour (kWh), a move the company says will address the disparity in charging costs faced by drivers without off-street parking.
Recent data shows that approximately 40% of households in the United Kingdom lack off-street parking, leaving many drivers reliant on public charging infrastructure and paying higher rates than those charging EVs at home.
New tariff details
Be.EV's new rate of 39p/kWh is available 24 hours a day for subscribers to its Mega plan, which costs GBP £9.99 per month. Subscribers to the Mini plan, which is priced at GBP £4.99 per month, will pay 49p/kWh. Both subscription plans are flexible and can be cancelled at any time. The tariffs are exclusively available via the Be.EV app.
For drivers who do not wish to subscribe, the 39p/kWh rate is also available during off-peak hours, specifically from 7pm to 7am, using either the Be.EV app or an RFID card at any ultra-rapid charger on the network.
At the new tariff, Be.EV estimates the cost of charging an EV drops to around 12p per mile-almost half the current average cost of 23p per mile for rapid and ultra-rapid public charging, based on typical rates and average EV efficiency of 3.3 miles per kWh. Be.EV states that this makes its ultra-rapid charging cheaper than running a petrol or diesel vehicle and notes that current pay-as-you-go rates at 76p/kWh remain significantly higher by comparison.
Network expansion
Be.EV currently operates more than 850 charging bays across the UK, with plans to expand by an additional 1,000 bays in development. The company's stated aim is to make public EV charging more affordable and accessible nationwide.
Addressing inequality
Be.EV's new tariff structure represents a direct challenge to what CEO Asif Ghafoor calls "an unequal, unfair public charging system that punishes millions of drivers without driveways."
Ghafoor continued:
"For too long, EV charging in the UK has been built for the privileged few with a driveway. Those who rely on public charging - often people in flats, terraced housing, or busy urban centres - are forced to pay much more than those who can plug-in at home. That's not just unfair, it's a barrier to mass adoption.
Be.EV's new 39p/kWh price point proves ultra-rapid charging can be cheaper than filling a petrol tank. It tears down one of the last excuses not to go electric. Drivers deserve a charging network that is fast, fair and future-proof - and we're determined to deliver it."
Industry context
The introduction of Be.EV's new tariff comes at a time when the UK faces the highest inflation rates among G7 countries, with energy prices being a significant contributor. The current tax structure imposes a 20% VAT rate on public EV charging, which is not applied in the same way to domestic energy used for home charging. This results in higher overall costs for drivers unable to charge at home.
Be.EV's announcement positions the company as one of the few charge point operators offering public charging rates below those of petrol or diesel fuelling, setting what it describes as a new industry benchmark for ultra-rapid public charging affordability.
Future plans
With more than 1,000 additional charge points in development, Be.EV aims to continue expanding the reach of its network. The company maintains that expanding reliable, convenient ultra-rapid charging infrastructure is key to making EV ownership feasible for all UK motorists.
