The cost of charging an electric vehicle is set to surge as wholesale electricity prices rise.

In Brighton, it currently costs 39p to charge an electric car one kilowatt-hour (kWh) – enough energy for a car to drive three to four miles.

But, from Monday, July 3, this price will go up to 61p.

The council says its operator, Blink Charging, puts this down to the increasing price of wholesale electricity.

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said: “Many charge operators across the country have already done the same or are planning to do so.

“At the moment, Blink Charging is, in some cases, paying more for electricity than they are charging users. This isn’t sustainable.

“We will continue to monitor price changes, and should electricity prices fall, charges will again be changed to reflect this.”

For the faster, rapid chargers, the price will go from 44p per kWh to 79p per kWh.

The council said global issues are continuing to impact energy costs and that bills have increased for users and suppliers.

“This includes energy delivered from 100 per cent renewable sources, like that supplied to electric vehicles in the city,” said the council spokesman.