0:00 Introduction1:30 Why is UK public AC charging so expensive compared to home?8:30 Has the UK really hit 2 million electric cars?14:30 How much will the new VW ID.Polo cost in the UK?20:30 Are used electric car prices finally rising in the UK?26:30 How many new motorway charging hubs has GRIDSERVE opened in 2026?28:00 Q&A29:30 Subscribe & Join the Club

UK EV news May 2026: this week on Primetime EV Live we follow the money on UK public charging costs in 2026. With the Zapmap weighted average at 54p/kWh on AC chargers and 79p/kWh on rapid DC, versus 25p/kWh at home on the Ofgem price cap, where does the extra money actually go? The biggest single chunk goes to HMRC: 20% VAT on public charging versus 5% on home charging — the "Pavement Tax" costing UK drivers without a driveway around £145 a year. A First-tier Tribunal ruled the disparity was wrong in February 2026. HMRC appealed in April.Plus: the UK has just crossed 2 million battery electric vehicles on the road — and the SMMT has downgraded the 2026 EV market share forecast from 28.5% to 26.8% in the same week. The new Volkswagen ID.Polo is here — May 2026 reveal, UK launch autumn 2026, from £22,000, up to 280 miles range. Used EV prices have risen for the first time in 8 months according to Solera Cap HPI data. And GRIDSERVE has delivered its fastest-ever Q1 with 120 new public charging bays.Hosted by Danny Fleet. Primetime EV — the UK's independent EV media network. No charging network pays us to favour their rates.Free Club: primetimeev.com/clubPartnership enquiries: [email protected]