ESB have sent an email to their subscribers announcing a price hike to it’s charging network. In the email ESB state that due to the rising cost of wholesale electricity In the UK and Europe means that they are unable to their servioce without an increase in pricing.
They are also introducing an overstay charge of £8 if you are on a charger longer than 45 minutes, ESB state “this is to encourage drivers to top up and go and free up the charger for others to use”.
It is only as matter of time before other providers of on street chargers follow suit and announce their own price hikes, but it remains to be seen as to whether other companies will also instagate and “overstay fee” as well?
The price increases for on street charging could enevitably have an adverse affect on the sale of new electric vehicles, but obviously the London Taxi Trade no longer have a choice of vehicle to buy other than electric.
These prices increases also bring the difference between running and electric Taxi and a diesel taxi closer together with the benefits of owning and electric Taxi being dimished, especially when you take into consideration the time spent charging away from working, then if you overstay the 45 minute time limit the costs start to add up.
Below is the email sent to ESB customers
Dear EV Driver,
We are writing to let you know that the prices for use of our London chargers will be changing from Monday, 14th February 2022.
This change will see an increase on all transactions across all payment plans when you charge your EV using ESB Energy’s public charging network in London.
Why are our prices changing?
Unfortunately, the wholesale cost of electricity in the UK, as well as in Europe, has dramatically soared to an unprecedented level over the past year. This increase in our costs means we are unable to continue to provide our services without having to increase the price of charging on our network.
We really value your custom and while we have done all that we can to absorb the increases and avoid passing these additional costs to you, this increase is unavoidable. We will continue to offer you the most competitive rates available and will work hard to keep the cost of charging as low as possible.
What are the new prices?
Please see the table below for a full view of our new prices in London. The new prices will be introduced on a rolling basis over the coming months. Please check the EV Plug In app for specific charger price details.
| PAYG | Membership | Contactless | Taxi | |
| Rapid Charging (50kW, £/kWh) | £0.45 | £0.42 | £0.45 | £0.42 |
| Connection Fee | None | None | £0.50 | None |
| Monthly Subscription | None | £4.99 | None | Free |
The unit rate for drivers on Fleet plans will also change on a rolling basis to £0.42 per kWh.
A new overstay fee of £8 will apply to all of our rapid chargers in London from Monday, 14th February. This fee will be applied after a time period of 45 minutes has elapsed and is designed to encourage drivers to top up and go and free up the charger for others to use.
Do I need to do anything?
If you are already signed up to use the ESB Energy public charging network, you do not need to do anything – the new rates will be displayed on the EV Plug In app.
