ELECTRIC car drivers have been hit with price rises at roadside charging points – these are the best times to recharge.
Thousands of stations across the country have introduced peak-time pricing.
AlamyA quarter of charging points are now covered by peak and off-peak rates[/caption]
The charge – known as “dynamic pricing” – will see owners paying more at certain times of the day when demand for electricity is high.
A quarter of charging points are now covered by peak and off-peak rates.
Leading provider Ubitricity is charging drivers 45p per kilowatt-hour for 21 hours of the day.
However from the hours of 4pm until 7pm, it will cost 79p.
The aim is to create a cheaper period for those with electric cars.
But some worry drivers who can’t charge up their vehicles outside peak hours will be penalised.
Analyst expert Oliver Archer told The Telegraph, operators need to make sure their new pricing is seen as a benefit rather than “inconvenience”.
He said: “The challenge lies in setting a tariff that works for charge-point operators and drivers.
“Using the public network can already be complex and frustrating, and charge-point operators need to ensure that dynamic pricing is seen as an opportunity by customers and not simply another inconvenience.”
Changes were made last year to encourage electric car owners to be more flexible when it comes to charging their vehicles.
A spokesperson for Ubitricity said: “Between 4-7pm the price we pay to supply our charge points with electricity more than doubles due to peak demand on the national grid.
“Rather than distribute this increased cost throughout our standard pricing, we’ve decided to limit this price increase to a peak window.
“This helps ensure we can offer the best value reduced rate to our customers for the majority of the day.”