Fastned has launched a new campaign highlighting what it describes as the UK’s growing EV charging ‘driveway divide’, as changes to VAT on home electricity come into force from 1st October.
The ultra-rapid charging network is offering drivers a free £25 charging credit at its UK charging hubs and is calling on the Government to align VAT rates for public and home charging.
According to Fastned, VAT on home electricity charging has fallen from 5% to 0% across England, Scotland and Wales, while VAT on public EV charging remains at 20%. The company estimates that the difference could cost drivers who rely on public charging more than £270 per year.
Research commissioned by Fastned found that 68% of UK drivers believe the disparity is unfair, while 61% were unaware that home and public charging are taxed differently. The findings also suggest the cost difference could influence EV adoption, with 70% of respondents saying paying more because they cannot charge at home would make them less likely to purchase an electric vehicle.
To raise awareness of the issue, Fastned has partnered with Ginny Buckley, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Electrifying.com, and is turning its network of 41 UK charging hubs into what it calls a “nationwide driveway for the day”.
The initiative is aimed at the estimated nine million UK households that do not have access to a driveway or dedicated parking space and therefore cannot benefit from home charging rates.
“By cutting VAT on electricity for EV owners who can charge at home, while continuing to charge 20% VAT on public charging, the Government is driving the transition to electric with one foot on the accelerator and the other on the brake – and any driver will tell you that you don’t get very far doing that,” Ginny Buckley, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Electrifying.com, said.
“Public charging isn’t a luxury – it’s essential infrastructure, and millions of drivers are being punished at the plug with higher prices simply because they don’t have a driveway. That’s why I’ve teamed up with Fastned to call on the Government to end this unfair driveway divide and make charging fair for everyone.”
Fastned said the issue could become increasingly important as electric vehicles continue to gain market share. The company cited recent figures showing battery electric vehicles now account for 30% of new car sales in the UK.
Among drivers who do not currently own a fully electric vehicle, 57% said reducing VAT on public charging to 0% would make them more likely to consider purchasing an EV. Meanwhile, 60% of respondents said they would support government action to reduce VAT on public charging.
“There is already a driveway divide between electric vehicle users who can charge at home and those who can’t, which risks making the switch to electric harder for millions of people. Today’s VAT change makes this divide even more striking, Tom Hurst, UK Country Director at Fastned, said. “An electric car should be an option for everyone, regardless of whether you have a driveway, which is why, through our ‘Fastned is MY driveway’ campaign, we’re turning our network into a nationwide driveway for EV drivers and calling on the Government to level the playing field by bringing VAT on public charging down to zero.”
Drivers can claim the free £25 charging credit through the Fastned app using the code VAT2026 until 2 October. The company said the credit is approximately equivalent to the average cost of a public charging session across its network.
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