Anyone else getting hammered by idle fees at the new rapid chargers?

Started by CardiffCeri · 4 October 2026 · 15 views · 1 replies
4 October 2026
Right mun, had a right proper mare down at the new rapid hub near Cardiff Bay yesterday. Popped in for a top-up before heading up the valleys for the rugby. Plugged the EV6 into one of those new 150kW chargers, and the app showed 78p per kWh. Tidy, I thought, until I got the receipt and it charged me an extra quid just for 'idle time' because I was five minutes late back from the pie shop. Is anyone else getting stung by these hidden idle fees? I’m on Octopus Intelligent at home for 7p a unit, but out and about, the pricing feels like an absolute rip-off. Anyone got a decent pay-as-you-go tariff that doesn't penalise you for grabbing a quick brew?
4 October 2026 · #2
Couldn't agree more, Ceri! I took my Mini Electric down to the Gridserve near Brighton after a yoga session, and got slapped with a £12 idle fee because I was popping into the local farmers market for some organic veg. Absolutely diabolical. I reckon 5 minutes is far too tight when you're driving back over the South Downs. Anyone know if InstaVolt are any better?

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