Be.EV, a UK fast-charging network, has announced a bold new pricing structure for ultra-rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging, establishing a headline rate of 39 pence per kWh, which is one of the lowest rates seen in the UK public charging sector.
This move is part of Be.EV’s effort to address what it sees as inequities in the public charging sector—specifically, that drivers who lack private home charging (for example, those in flats or terraced housing) are forced to pay premium rates for access to ultra-fast public chargers.
Key Elements of the New Tariff Structure
1. Subscription Plans & Discounted Access
- Mega Plan: For £9.99/month, subscribers can access the 39 p/kWh rate at any time (24/7).
- Mini Plan: For a lower monthly cost of £4.99, users receive access to a reduced rate of 49p/kWh.
- Off-peak access: Even non-subscribers (or users paying via app/RFID) can access the 39 p/kWh rate during off-peak hours (7 pm to 7 am). Outside that window, standard rates apply.
2. Standard / Pay-As-You-Go Rates
- For users who pay via contactless, WebPay, or roaming partner cards (i.e., non-members), the ultra-rapid rate becomes 79 p/kWh at all times.
- Within the Be.EV app or via RFID usage, the new off-peak and daytime rates also apply.
3. Other Charger Types (Rapid & Fast)
Be.EV has separate pricing for lower-power chargers:
- Rapid DC (50 kW):
– Off-peak: 55 p/kWh
– Daytime: 60 p/kWh - Fast AC (≤ 22 kW):
– Off-peak: 45 p/kWh
– Daytime: 50 p/kWh
Thus, the new pricing structure offers differentiated rates depending on charger power levels and time of day.
What This Means in Practice
At 39 p per kWh, Be.EV states that charging works out at around 12p per mile, which is nearly half the average cost for ultra-rapid public charging in the UK (estimated at 23p per mile, based on 76 p/kWh and typical EV efficiency).
In effect, Be.EV is making ultra-rapid public charging cheaper than refuelling a petrol or diesel car (depending on fuel prices).
From Be.EV’s point of view, this is not just a pricing change, but a challenge to the status quo:
“For too long, EV charging in the UK has been built for the privileged few with a driveway. Those who rely on public charging … pay much more than those who can plug in at home. That’s not just unfair, it’s a barrier to mass adoption.”
— Asif Ghafoor, CEO of Be.EV
Be.EV emphasizes the equity angle: about 40% of UK households do not have off-street parking, and those drivers are disproportionately impacted by high public charging costs.
Scale & Ambitions
- Currently, Be.EV operates 850+ ultra-rapid charging points across the UK.
- They have ~1,000 more in development, targeting expansions along motorways, urban centres, and community hubs.
- Be.EV is backed by Octopus Energy Generation, which provides renewable power to the network.
- With these moves, Be.EV hopes to push other charging network operators (CPOs) to rethink their pricing models.
Challenges, Risks, and Implications
Profitability Pressure & Margin Erosion
Offering ultra-rapid charging at such low rates—especially for non-peak hours and via subscription plans—will put pressure on margins. Be.EV will need high utilization, efficient operations, and possibly cross-subsidisation across charger types or time slots.
Infrastructure & Demand Constraints
Lower prices may stimulate higher demand, potentially putting stress on existing charge points or creating queues. Ensuring charger availability and reliability will be crucial. If some sites are underutilized or remote, they may struggle to recoup costs.
Behavioral Changes & Load Shifting
By incentivizing off-peak charging, Be.EV could shift load away from busy periods — potentially smoothing grid demand. If successful, this can help optimize network performance and reduce peak electricity costs.
Competitive Response
Other CPOs may respond by revising their own tariff structures or introducing subscription models to retain customers. The UK public charging market could see more aggressive pricing strategies ahead.
Regulatory & VAT Questions
Public charging in the UK is subject to a 20% VAT, whereas residential electricity is taxed more lightly. Some industry voices argue that VAT reform is needed to level the playing field. Be.EV’s aggressive pricing could intensify the debate.
Conclusion
Be.EV’s unveiling of a 39 p/kWh ultra-rapid charging tariff is a disruptive move in the UK EV infrastructure space. By coupling subscription plans (Mega, Mini) with off-peak discounts and more moderate rates for rapid and fast chargers, Be.EV is explicitly targeting the cost inequality faced by EV drivers who cannot charge at home.
Whether this model will be sustainable over the long term depends on execution—charger uptime, network expansion, demand levels, and cost control. But the announcement already sends a clear signal: public charging need not always command premiums, and more players may be pushed to rethink how they price access to ultra-fast electricity.