Choosing an electric car used to feel like a smart move for your wallet and the planet.

But for millions of drivers without a driveway, that dream is turning into a debt trap.

WHAT HAPPENED

The UK government is finally looking into why public charging costs are out of control.

Prices have climbed 38% in just five years. This makes it much harder for people to ditch gas-powered cars.

Experts say these high costs are "strangling" the market. They worry that the push for green energy will fail if people cannot afford to plug in.

WHAT THE EVIDENCE SHOWS

Public charging costs rose 38% since 2021.

• Drivers with driveways pay much less than those who use street chargers.
• The review will check if companies are being clear about their prices.
• High costs are slowing down the sale of new electric cars.
• The government wants to fix the "driveway divide" between rich and poor areas.

THE BIGGER QUESTION

Why is it so much cheaper to charge a car at home than on the street?

If we want everyone to go green, why are we making it harder for people who live in apartments? This creates a system where only people with big houses get the best deals.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW

The government review will try to make prices more fair. They want to make sure every driver can see exactly what they are paying before they plug in.

If they do not fix this, many people will stick with gas cars. This could hurt the plan to clean up the air in our cities.

WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW

1. Will the government force companies to lower their prices?
2. How long will the review take before drivers see a change?
3. Can the power grid handle more cheap public chargers?