New analysis indicates that UK drivers of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are wasting over £70.9 million each year by paying the full rate for their electricity.
According to official figures there are now around 865,000 PHEVs in the UK. By using a home charger and smart EV tariffs rather than a conventional three-pin plug, PHEV owners could charge their vehicle using nighttime tariffs of approximately £0.07 per kilowatt-hour compared to an average of £0.25 per kWh.
Research indicates that 21 per cent of PHEV owners do not have a smart charging unit fitted at home. Of those 181,650 motorists, over 65 per cent are expected to have off-street parking, which offers the possibility of installing a smart home charger. As a result, 118,254 of them could be wasting £599.94 each year. This amounts to £70,945,304.76 annually for UK PHEV drivers according to the analysis by Andersen EV, a manufacturer of EV charge points based.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT) data confirms that 124,528 new PHEVs have been registered in the UK this year. Owners of new PHEVs in 2025 alone could make savings of more than £10.2 million over the next 12 months.
David Martell, Andersen EV CEO, says: “PHEVs have evolved considerably over the past ten years. From typically having small batteries capable of 15 to 20 miles just a few years ago, today’s PHEVs can have a battery range in excess of 70 miles with drivers able to run purely on electric for the vast majority of their weekly motoring.
“There is of course a cost involved in installing a smart home EV charging unit. Products such as our Andersen Quartz can be installed for around £1,100, so motorists will start to see a return on their investment in just two years. They will also benefit from faster and safer charging.”
A home charger will pay for itself in two years, even for PHEV owners 
.jpg?width=600&height=600)
