Paua | Making EV charging easier for business

Person charging an electric Volkswagen van at a public station.Person charging an electric Volkswagen van at a public station.

You pay  7p* per mile for your public charging

You save money every time you charge in public.  Your company covers the full cost of your public charging, and in return, you pay £0.07* per mile for your personal use.
*This is the AER rate defined by the UK government and it changes over time. Check with your company what is the latest rate in use

This scheme could be for you if:

You perform 30% or more of your charging at public charging stations.

You have an electric company vehicle.

For everyone—whether you drive for business, personal use, or both.

Sign up on the Royal Mail people app.

Just look for the Paua EV charging tile

Key

Benefits

Save money every time you charge your car at a public charging station.

The cost of public charging is on average 22p per mile, depending on your vehicle’s energy consumption and the price per kWh. This is significantly higher than the 7p per mile AER rate, making our fixed rate a much more cost-effective option.

You don't have to be a business driver to enjoy this benefit.

You can join the scheme even without business trips. If over 50% of your charging is public, the scheme saves you money, supporting your company’s push for EV adoption.

Works with any public charger in the UK.

The Paua network offers extensive coverage across the UK. View the network here. Prefer charging elsewhere, like Tesla Superchargers? No problem—claim your costs later and stay within the scheme.

How it works

1

Charge Your Vehicle

1

Use the Paua Card for Public Charging

  • Employees are provided with a Paua card to access public charging stations. All charges made using this card are automatically tracked.
  • If you charge at public stations within the Paua network, the cost is directly recorded and managed through the Paua system.

Charging outside the Paua Network

  • If you use public chargers outside the Paua network, you will need to pay using your personal credit card or other payment methods.
  • Royal Mail will reimburse you for these costs through the Paua app once you submit the receipts or details of the expenses.

Home Charging

  • Any costs incurred while charging at home are your personal responsibility. Royal Mail does not reimburse home charging expenses.
2

Mileage and Trip Declaration

2

Submit a monthly trip and mileage declaration

  • In order to take advantage of this benefit, at the end of each month you must  create a claim to declare your mileage and business trips, if you have done business trips. If you have not, you just declare your personal mileage
3

Business Mileage Reimbursement

3

Business mileage claims via Royal Mail expenses system are no longer allowed

  • Royal Mail pays for your public charging. This means you will not be able to claim any business mileage reimbursement via the expenses system.
4

Direct Debit  for Personal Mileage

4

After submitting your mileage claim

  • Paua calculates the total personal mileage and the amount owed based on the AER.
  • The corresponding amount is debited from your account via direct debit.
  • You will see a detailed breakdown showing the amount due for personal mileage in the Paua app

Examples
Based on your charging situation

1

Example One
All charging done with the Paua card

Charging Cost

  • Public charging via Paua card: £200
  • No Home charging

Mileage Breakdown

  • Total mileage: 1,000 miles
  • Business mileage: 70% (700 miles)
  • Personal mileage: 30% (300 miles)
  • AER Rate: £0.07/mile ( this AER changes over time, check with Royal Mail to see the latest AER rate)

Calculation

  • You are responsible for 300 miles of personal mileage: 300 X £0.07 = £21
  • Royal Mail covers the cost of public charging of £200

Outcome

  • You pay £21 for personal mileage via direct debit. No additional payments for charging are required
  • You save £130
2

Example Two
Some charging is done at home

Charging Cost

  • Public charging via Paua card: £150
  • Home charging: £7.80

Mileage Breakdown

  • Total mileage: 1,000 miles
  • Business mileage: 70% (700 miles)
  • Personal mileage: 30% (300 miles)
  • AER Rate: £0.07/mile (this AER changes over time, check with Royal Mail to see the latest AER rate)

Calculation

  • You are responsible for 300 miles of personal mileage: 300 X £0.07 = £21
  • Royal Mail covers the cost of public charging of £150
  • Home charging costs of £8.70are not reimbursed by Royal Mail

Outcome

  • You pay £21 for personal mileage via direct debit. The £7.80 for your home charging are nor reimbursed to you
  • You save £80
3

Example Three
Charging outside Paua's network

Charging Cost

  • Public charging via Paua card: £100
  • Public charging outside Paua network: £100 (paid personally)
  • No home charging

Mileage Breakdown

  • Total mileage: 1,000 miles
  • Business mileage: 70% (700 miles)
  • Personal mileage: 30% (300 miles)
  • AER Rate: £0.07/mile

Calculation

  • You are responsible for 300 miles of personal mileage: 300 X £0.07 = £21
  • Royal Mail covers the cost of public charging of £200
  • Royal Mail reimburses you £100 for the public charging you have paid

Outcome

  • You will receive a reimbursement of £19. This is calculated as £40 for your charging expenses minus £21 for your personal mileage. Royal Mail will pay this amount directly into your bank account
  • You save £130
Person holding a smartphone displaying the Paua charging network map, with a Paua RFID card in the foreground.

Interested in learning more?

Visit the Royal Mail site for FAQs.

View FAQs