Tesco has increased the cost of its electric vehicle (EV) charging network, with rates now starting at 44p per kWh.

Drivers using Tesco charge points will now pay 44p per kWh at a 7kW charger and 49p per kWh at a 22kW charger.

The supermarket's rapid chargers now cost 62p per kWh at a 50kW device and 69p per kWh for the fastest 75kW units.

The changes, which take effect from April 3, follow the introduction of a tariff for non-rapid devices in November 2022. 

Payment will have to be made through the Pod Point app for the AC chargers or by contactless for the rapid points.

Using the slowest charger, it will now cost around £12 to add 100 miles worth of range to the average family EV.

The retailer said the increased EV charging tariff contributes towards covering infrastructure costs and energy costs incurred by EV drivers charging across the network.

Tesco first announced it had introduced free chargers at 100 of its Tesco stores in 2019. It was subsequently expanded to 600 stores and 2,500 points. The network was launched by Tesco, Volkswagen and Pod Point.

The average cost of using a public AC charger (up to 7kW) is 37p per kWh, according to the AA, while a rapid charger costs 66p per kWh.