NEW analysis has revealed that electric vehicle drivers are being charged more to top up their batteries on long journeys than people behind the wheel of petrol cars pay for fuel.

The RAC said the average price of using rapid chargers on a pay as you go basis has increased by nearly 26p per kilowatt hour (kWh) since May, reaching 70.3p per kWh this month.

This rise – caused by the soaring wholesale costs of gas and electricity – means drivers pay around 20p per mile for their electricity when using the chargers.

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We visit the UK's second-biggest electric vehicle charging hub in Rhyl

The per mile cost for a petrol car achieving an economy of 40 miles to the gallon is just 17p, while the equivalent cost for drivers of diesel cars is 20p per mile.

If you’re an electric vehicle driver in Prestatyn, Rhyl, St Asaph, Bodelwyddan or Abergele, here’s where you can charge up (locations and figures courtesy of Zap-Map):

Prestatyn

• Kings’ Avenue short stay car park – two public charging points, 50kW chargers (45p per kWh plus 45p connection fee)

Rhyl

• Water Street – 5kW charger (45p per kWh plus 35p connection fee; tariff increases to 79p per kWh during 4-7pm).

• West Kinmel Street – 36 public charging points, 22kW and 50 kW chargers (45p per kWh plus 45p connection fee, or 35p per kWh plus 45p connection fee).

• Morrisons, Marsh Road – 22kW and 50kW chargers (57-75p/kWh).

St Asaph

• The Talardy Hotel, The Roe – 22kW and 50kW chargers (79p/kWh).

Bodelwyddan

• Glan Clwyd Hospital car park, Sarn Lane – 5kW charger (charges may apply).

• Bodelwyddan Castle Hotel – two 7kW chargers (charges may apply).

• Euro Garages, A55 Eastbound – 43kW and 50kW chargers (charges may apply).

• Euro Garages, A55 Westbound – 43kW and 50kW chargers (charges may apply).

Abergele

• Threeways Garage, Faenol Avenue – two 7kW chargers (for customer use only).

• Tan Yr Ogof Caravan Park, Abergele Road – two 7kW chargers (32p/kWh).