Annually, drivers of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) squander approximately £70.9 million by foregoing electric charging.

Annually, drivers of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) squander approximately £70.9 million by foregoing electric charging.

In the United Kingdom, an analysis by Andersen EV, a manufacturer of EV charge points, has revealed that PHEV owners are wasting over £70 million annually by paying the full rate for their electricity[6]. This staggering figure is based on the fact that 21% of PHEV owners do not have a smart charging unit fitted at home, amounting to approximately 181,650 vehicles[7].

By adopting smart home charging and tariffs, PHEV owners can significantly reduce their electricity costs. Instead of charging via a standard three-pin plug at the normal electricity rate (around £0.25 per kWh), they can install a dedicated home charger and switch to smart tariffs, enabling them to charge primarily during off-peak hours at rates as low as £0.07 or even £0.05 per kWh[1][2][4][5]. This can cut charging costs by up to 70%-80% annually, saving hundreds of pounds per vehicle each year.

The installation of a smart home EV charger, such as the Andersen Quartz, costs around £1,100 and provides faster and safer charging[3]. PHEV owners can start to see a return on their investment in just two years after installing a smart home EV charging unit[8].

The benefits of smart charging and tariffs are clear. By charging during cheaper hours, PHEV drivers can run their vehicles purely on electric for the vast majority of their weekly motoring, with today's PHEVs having a battery range in excess of 70 miles[9].

In 2021 alone, 124,528 new PHEVs have been registered in the UK[10]. With approximately 865,000 PHEVs currently on the road, the potential savings are substantial. The analysis suggests that many PHEV owners could save money by installing a smart home charger, with 118,254 of the PHEV owners without a smart charging unit potentially wasting £599.94 each year[1][7].

Moreover, the savings are not limited to the present. Owners of new PHEVs in 2025 alone could make savings of more than £10.2 million over the next 12 months[11].

In conclusion, to reduce electricity costs, UK PHEV owners should install a smart home charging unit and switch to an EV-specific smart tariff that offers discounted night-time rates, then charge their vehicles primarily during these off-peak periods[1][4][5]. By doing so, they can not only save money but also contribute to a more sustainable future.

References:

1. https://www.andersenev.co.uk/news/uk-phev-owners-wasting-over-70-million-each-year-by-paying-the-full-rate-for-their-electricity/
2. https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/uk-phev-drivers-wasting-70-million-paying-full-rate-electricity-says-andersen-ev
3. https://www.andersenev.co.uk/products/andersen-quartz/
4. https://www.andersenev.co.uk/news/uk-phev-owners-wasting-over-70-million-each-year-by-paying-the-full-rate-for-their-electricity/andersen-ev-smart-charging-solution-could-save-uk-phev-drivers-over-70-million-annually/
5. https://www.andersenev.co.uk/news/uk-phev-owners-wasting-over-70-million-each-year-by-paying-the-full-rate-for-their-electricity/smart-charging-solution-could-save-uk-phev-drivers-over-70-million-annually/
6. https://www.andersenev.co.uk/news/uk-phev-owners-wasting-over-70-million-each-year-by-paying-the-full-rate-for-their-electricity/
7. https://www.andersenev.co.uk/news/uk-phev-owners-wasting-over-70-million-each-year-by-paying-the-full-rate-for-their-electricity/
8. https://www.andersenev.co.uk/news/uk-phev-owners-wasting-over-70-million-each-year-by-paying-the-full-rate-for-their-electricity/
9. https://www.andersenev.co.uk/news/uk-phev-owners-wasting-over-70-million-each-year-by-paying-the-full-rate-for-their-electricity/
10. https://www.sMMT.co.uk/media-centre/press-releases/uk-new-car-registrations-fall-by-23-4-in-august/
11. https://www.andersenev.co.uk/news/uk-phev-owners-wasting-over-70-million-each-year-by-paying-the-full-rate-for-their-electricity/
12. PHEV owners in the UK could save hundreds of pounds annually by adopting smart home charging and tariffs, reducing their electricity costs significantly.
13. With the installation of an efficient smart EV charger like the Andersen Quartz, PHEV owners in the UK can charge their vehicles faster and safer, making a return on their investment in just two years.
14. By charging their electric or hybrid vehicles during off-peak hours with smart charging units and EV-specific smart tariffs, UK drivers can both save money and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Read also: