GRIDSERVE, the UK’s most used public Electric Vehicle (EV) charging network, is cutting the price of its charging network by 20% for one day only on 1 October, giving drivers a real-world demonstration of what lower taxation on public EV charging could mean for the cost of driving electric.

The one-day reduction coincides with the Government’s introduction of a temporary 0% VAT rate on qualifying domestic electricity in Great Britain, which comes into effect on 1 October and runs until 31 March 2027. Public EV charging, however, remains subject to the standard rate of VAT under HMRC’s current position.

GRIDSERVE is using the one-day price reduction to put the difference into the hands of EV drivers, allowing them to experience what significantly cheaper public charging could look like.

The company has previously called for greater parity between the tax treatment of charging at home and charging in public, arguing that drivers without access to a home charger can face higher costs simply because of where they charge. In 2025, GRIDSERVE commissioned research which found that 49% of non-EV drivers surveyed would switch to an EV sooner if public charging had the same VAT rate as charging at home.

Additionally, public EV charging hubs continue to face substantial grid connection costs, much of which is paid for via capacity-related standing charges. Independent analysis by Cornwall Insight has found that standing charges for ultra-rapid EV charging hubs have increased by up to 462% since 2021, adding further pressure to the cost of public charging.

Rebecca Trebble, Chief Customer Officer of GRIDSERVE, said: “On 1 October, millions of households will see VAT removed from their electricity bills. For EV drivers who cannot charge at home, however, the tax treatment of electricity is very different.

“We want to make that difference tangible. Rather than simply talking about what cheaper public charging could look like, we are giving drivers the opportunity to experience it for themselves.

“GRIDSERVE has been clear that if the Government reduces the VAT burden on public EV charging, we believe the future benefit should be passed directly through to drivers. Our 1 October initiative demonstrates this principle in practice: when the cost of charging comes down, drivers will see those savings at the plug.”

The Government is currently reviewing the cost of public EV charging and considering how policy changes can help consumers. At the same time, the Government’s targets for zero-emission cars and vans is also under review in the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate consultation. GRIDSERVE believes that addressing the cost of public charging should be a central topic in both discussions.

Public charging is critical to those EV drivers who live in flats, rent their homes, park on-street or otherwise cannot install a private charger. It will also help determine how readily the estimated 10m British households that do not have any potential for off-street parking also make the switch to electric. The Government is set to report its cost of charging findings later this year while the ZEV mandate review consultation closes on 23 October.

Shane Brennan, chief executive officer of ChargeUK, added: “Cutting VAT on home electricity is the right call at the right time, it will relieve some pressure on what will be a tough winter for energy consumers, including EV drivers.

“However, it will also entrench the driveway divide for those current and want-to-be EV drivers who pay the full 20 per cent VAT to charge their cars at the worst moment. “With diesel prices topping £2 a litre this week, and petrol not far behind, encouraging all drivers to go electric is the right thing to do, let’s make it fair and accessible for all.”

This promotion does not reflect any reduction in, or removal of, VAT on public EV charging. VAT remains applicable at the prevailing rate. The 20% discount is a GRIDSERVE-funded promotional offer designed to demonstrate the potential impact of a reduction in VAT on the cost of public EV charging for drivers.