How to use electric car charging points

The electric car charging infrastructure is growing quickly in the UK, and it's going to need to continue at a prolific rate in order to stay ahead of the seismic shift in the run-up to the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars.

The number of electric cars on UK roads is expected to rise from 300,000 in August 2021 to around 12 million by 2030, according to figures from electric car charging point mapping site Zap-map and predictions from the Climate Change Committee's Sixth carbon budget.

Whether you drive an electric car today or not, a lot of us will soon be reliant on the ever-growing charging infrastructure. Here's what you need to know about the electric car public charging network.

Ready to go electric? Here are the best electric cars we've tested.

What you need to know about electric car public charging networks

There are more than 60 different charging networks across the UK. Ubitricity (now owned by Shell), BP Pulse and Pod Point are among the biggest.

Having such a large number of separate networks creates perhaps the biggest drawback to electric car charging: 

• In the majority of cases, you can’t just park up and charge 
• Only a minority of charging points in the UK allow you to pay directly by credit or debit card. No companies accept cash
• Depending on the network, you'll either need to download an app, go to a website or have a pre-registered RFID card

To get a charge going, you'll typically need to download a network specific app and follow the instructions to initiate and pay for the charge. 

Alternatively, you may need (or can choose) to go to the network's website to put in your details and start the charge. 

Drive smarter and cut costs using our expert advice. Get our Cars newsletter – it's free monthly

Some networks also allow you to register an RFID card (Radio Frequency Identify Card) which will allow you to start a charge by tapping the card against a card reader (not a bank card reader) - but you'll still need to manage an account online in connection with your RFID card.

In most cases you'll need a different app, website or RFID card for each different network. 

Millions of drivers will soon be dependent on the UK's charging infrastructure. We think that to make it work, a form of universal access needs to be established across all networks.

See what else we're calling for in our investigation: 5 problems with the electric car charging network, and how to fix them.

Essential terms - know your kW from your kWh

Before you charge your car, you'll want to understand a few basic terms. Such as the difference between kW and kWh, AC and DC and why that matters when charging electric cars.

kW (kilowatts) and kWh (kilowatt hours) are arguably the most common terms, and you'll come across them every time you charge.

• The power of an electric car charger is given in kW (kilowatts)
• Your electric car's battery will have a capacity given in kWh. Think of this as like the capacity of a fuel tank.

So if you had a 21kWh capacity battery it should - in theory - take three hours to charge when connected to a 7kW charger.

In reality, this won't actually be the case as a battery always require more power to charge than it can actually hold, but this provides a general idea of the concepts involved.

Slow, fast or rapid? Electric car public charging points explained

Before you visit a public charger, you need to know two things about your electric car: 

1. Its maximum charge rate (there will be one for AC and one for DC) 
2. What type of AC and DC plugs you can connect it to

Electric car charge points offer different power outputs - in a nutshell, the higher the power output, the quicker your car charges (provided the power output is within your car's maximum charge rate). 

You'll see terms like 'slow chargers' and 'rapid chargers' used a lot - here's what they relate to:

• Slow chargers: up to 3kW (AC)
• Fast chargers: have power outputs between 7kW-22kW (AC)
• Rapid chargers: between 25kW and 99kW (typically 50kW and DC)
• Ultra rapid chargers: 100kW and more (DC). 

Slow to fast chargers (AC charging)

The most common public electric car chargers are slow to fast chargers  - they account for around 80% of all UK chargers, according to Zap-Map. 

Slow to fast chargers use one of two plugs to connect to your car:

• Type 1 plug - which is today largely outdated. You'll find it on a few remaining plug-in hybrid cars, such as the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
• Type 2 plug - also called a Mennekes plug, is far more common. The EU decreed in 2014 that all new plug-in cars should have a Type 2 socket, making it the preferred standard.

All slow to fast chargers supply AC from the electricity grid to your car. The battery in your electric car, like any battery, cannot use AC to charge. So when you connect an AC (3-22kW) charger to your car, the current goes to the vehicle's onboard charger - this converts it from AC to DC.

Rapid and ultra-rapid chargers (DC charging)

Rapid and ultra-rapid chargers directly provide DC to your car - the special DC connection bypasses your car's onboard charger to supply current directly to the car's battery. It's a much faster way to charge your car, but can be very costly. 

Unless you drive a Tesla, your electric car will have one of two entirely different rapid charging DC plugs, both of which require their own socket:

• CCS (Combined Charging System) socket is the most common. The 'combined' bit in the name means that the shape of the plug will incorporate the shape of the Type 1 or, more commonly, the Type 2 AC plug. So your car may look like it only has one socket, but it connects with two plugs. If you see a 'Combo 2' plug - that's a CCS plug that fits over a Type 2 plug. 
• Chademo is the second and now much rarer type. Most cars in Europe don't have this, the outliers being both generations of the Nissan Leaf and the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.
• Teslas have a modified Type 2 plug that can deliver DC current. This is unique to the company's own-brand 'Supercharger' network.

There used to be two AC sockets, too, but in 2014 the EU decreed that all new plug-in cars should come equipped with a Type 2 AC socket. However, no such announcement has been made for DC sockets.

We think that streamlining the types of DC sockets available on cars will help make living with an electric car that little bit simpler in the long run.

How long does it take to charge an electric car?

Before we answer this question, you need to know that electric cars actually have two charging rates:

1. A maximum AC charging rate (applies to slow and fast chargers, and includes home charging)
2. A maximum DC charging rate (applies to rapid and ultra rapid charge points).

While fast (AC) charging points go up to a maximum 22kW, most electric cars on the market are limited to a 7.2-11kW maximum AC charge rate.

One of the few exceptions is the Renault Zoe, which can make full use of a 22kW charger. This makes a big difference to its charge times - as you can see in our table, below. 

Ultra-rapid chargers, which typically have a charge rate of between 100kW and 350kW DC, will charge even faster, potentially taking less than an hour for a full charge from zero – provided your vehicle is compatible.

If you tried to charge the same battery from a three-pin plug at home, it would take around 30 hours to charge the battery by 80%. Which is why you'll want a wallbox if you can charge at home - see our guide on electric car charging at home to find out more.

While most cars are limited to an 11kW AC charge rate or less, you can still connect it to a 22kW charger to your car - it’s not going to blow up. The car and onboard charger will simply manage the rate of charge and take what it can.

The real problem is that if you don’t know the maximum AC rate of charge your electric car can take, you might end up choosing a charger with a higher rate of power when it’s of no use to you.

That could take it away unfairly from another electric car driver that can use it and it could cost you more.

Community charging: charge at someone else's home

If you don't have off-street parking or otherwise can't charge at home (which is the cheapest way to charge your car), you could look at using someone else's home charger. 

It's called ‘community charging’ and it’s a fast-growing approach to charging up your car. Using services such as Co-Charger or JustCharge (run by JustPark), you can search your local area for those with a driveway and a home charger (known as ‘hosts’). You can then book to use the host’s charger at a set time. Some community charger services even let you set up a regular time slot for habitual charging convenience.

Hosts set their own rates and costs vary, so make sure you check how much a charging session will cost before making a booking. Most hosts should have a proper domestic chargepoint, but some simply offer access to a three-pin plug - given the slow pace of charging, it’s worth avoiding these. If anyone offers you a three-pin domestic extension lead then refuse it outright, as it could be a fire risk.

If you have a home charger then you might want to consider joining one of these networks. It'll offer a way to make a bit of money while helping enable those around you without off-street parking the ability to charge their cars conveniently.

Electric car charging networks with on- and off-peak rates

Some major electric car charging networks - including Ubitiricity, char.gy and Geniepoint - have introduced on- and off-peak rates (sometimes referred to as day and night rates).

This means it will cost more to charge at peak hours, but the definition of 'peak' varies from one network to the other, so you may be caught out if you're not familiar with the network.

For example, char.gy's on-peak hours last from 7am to midnight (17 hours) whereas Ubitricity's on-peak hours are from 16:00 to 19:00 (3 hours).

If you do end up paying on-peak rates, your bank account will feel it. The on-peak rates rival the fastest ultra-rapid chargers in terms of cost, but in the case of Ubitricity which convert lampposts, are limited to 5.5kW. This means you can end up getting a slow charge while paying ultra-rapid costs - the worst of both worlds.

Some off-peak rates are comparable to what people are paying from home, but still tend to be a bit more expensive.

Table updated April 2023, prices subject to change. Cost per mile based on average EV consumption in Which? tests. 

If you're paying more than 65p per kWh, you're almost certainly paying more per mile than a typical petrol or diesel driver would on fuel alone. See our running cost guide for more.

Electric car charging networks

There are too many networks to list them all here. So we're highlighting some of the key UK networks you need to know about.

BP Pulse

BP Pulse has arguably the widest charge point coverage across the UK. It’s gone one step beyond the government advice to add direct payment by bank card to all rapid chargers from Spring 2020, but is also updating existing chargers as well – which is excellent.

Unfortunately, BP Pulse is a network that charges people more for not registering with their network, essentially charging more for guest users who pay using a bank card (tap and pay). If you use one of its rapid chargers and pay directly by bank card, for example, you’ll be charged more per kWh than if you'd used the same charge point having logged in under their free membership and then initiated the charge via the company's website or app.

We see this as charging more for using a bank card. BP sees it as a discount for those who don’t. BP told us: ‘Those who choose to sign up for a free membership benefit from a discount on their charging costs based on the value derived by the business from their membership.’

There is also a subscription option aimed at frequent users who get lower rates per kWh in return for paying a monthly subscription.

Connected Kerb

An on-street specialist that's expanding quickly. Its chargers range from 7-22kW and all have RFID readers, opening up the possibility of more universal access.

This ambitious company is all about a smart approach - installing clusters of chargers across an area, which then communicate to balance load and stress on the UK grid. Its chargers allow users to benefit from lower cost electricity at low demand times overnight - helping those without off-street take advantage of lower electricity rates.

GeniePoint 

One of the largest networks in the UK, GeniePoint has a mix of rapid and non-rapid charge points. Despite the diofference in power outputs, Geniepoint seems to have the same pricing across its chargers and is one of the networks that have on- and off-peak rates.

It also charges overstay rates. An overstay charge of £10.00 may apply after 90 minutes and £10.00 for every 90 minutes thereafter applies. There are also a number of chargers supplied by GeniePoint that are owned separately and the cost to charge can differ. 

Gridserve and Electric Highway 

Gridserve opened the first electric-car only forecourt in the UK, in December 2020. It can be found in Braintree, Essex, but it plans to open 100 electric car only forecourts across the UK between 2020 and 2025.

The forecourt in Braintree is supported by its hybrid solar farm and its rate for DC charging (rapid/ultra rapid) is currently impressively low. 

In March 2021 it announced it was forming a partnership with the energy company Ecotricity, which has its own car charging network called the 'Electric Highway'. In June 2021, Gridserve announced it had purchased the Electric Highway and will swap out all existing charger with newer technology.

It aims to put six to 12 high-power 350kW devices at all motorway service stations. When electric cars can receive a charge, in theory these ultra-rapid chargers could add 100 miles of charge in five minutes.

InstaVolt

One of the largest rapid-charger networks in the UK. InstaVolt shuns memberships and connection fees and offers simple payment by bank card at all of its chargers - it’s a stand out example of convenience and good practice.

A drawback of paying by card is that you won't have a VAT receipt dispensed to you at the point of sale as there is no printer on the charger (this is typical across all chargers that accept payment via bank card, and not unique to Instavolt). If you require a VAT receipt and pay by bank card, you’ll need to go to Instavolt's website after the charge has completed and enter details into its VAT receipt generator.

Alternatively, if you want easier access to VAT receipts you can use InstaVolt's app to pay for charging sessions. VAT receipts will then be shown within the app. If you prefer, you can also order an RFID card from Instavolt which will link to your app account. You can then use the RFID card to start a charging session and the VAT receipt will show in your app account once done.

Osprey

You can use a bank card to pay for your charge at any Osprey charging point. Just like InstaVolt, if you want a VAT receipt you’ll need to request one from Osprey's website. Alternatively, if you pay for the charge using the Osprey app, you'll be able to download VAT receipts from the app. 

Osprey allows you to pay using roaming options (other companies' payment systems) to pay for your charge, this includes car manufacturer electric car charging schemes, such as the VW We Charge Plan and myHyundai. These schemes allow customers access to a number of networks via a single app or payment/RFID card, and can offer discounted charging rates with certain networks (but you typically have to pay for a monthly subscription to get the cheaper rates, so you need to work out if it's worth it).

Osprey was also a launch partner for other roaming options such as Zap Pay (see below) and Octopus’ ‘Electric Universe’ (formerly the Electric Juice Network). The latter allows access to a number of networks without the need for separate apps and RFID cards. As a bonus for Octopus Energy customers, the cost of charging your car will be added to your home's energy bills.

Direct payments by card will always be convenient and Osprey should be commended for being accessible by so many schemes.

Pod Point 

One of the largest networks in the UK, Pod Point has done away with RFID cards. Users must have its app to hand or be able to access the company's website. Most of Pod Point's chargers are free to use (yes, really). 

Find out more about free charge points - go to how much does it cost to charge an electric car.

Shell/Ubitricity 

Shell bought Ubitricity, the on-street charging specialist, in February 2021. Ubitricity cleverly converts lampposts and bollards into charging points but the drawback is no card payments, not even RFID cards. Access is 100% via an app or its website. The Ubitricity network is limited to 5.5kW charging and is one of the networks that uses on- and off-peak charging rates (see above).

In September 2021, Shell announced it was going to expand the number of Ubitricity chargers from 3,600 in September 2021 to 50,000 by 2025. The UK Committee for Climate Change has stated that the UK needs 150,000 public charge points operating across the UK by 2025, so this move would supply a third of the UK's projected needs.

Source London 

Source London is one of the largest charging networks across the UK despite only covering the Greater London area. It has some of the highest charges per kWh for AC charging, but those prices include your parking as well as your charging.

Source London also charges idling fees. As your car's batteries fill up, the car will draw less power and then stop. If Source London detects your car is drawing less than 1.2kW for ten minutes, it will charge an idling fee that starts at 4p per minute, or 5p per minute for those using PAYG access.

Tesla

Tesla has two of its own networks: the Tesla supercharger network and its destination charger network.  Tesla superchargers are ultra-rapid chargers with power levels ranging from 120kW to 250kW (DC). 

The Tesla networks came out on top in a 2021 satisfaction survey by Zap-Map, and Tesla's supercharger network received particularly high praise.

Tesla’s superchargers, which have a CCS in addition to its unique DC-delivering Type 2 connector, were previously closed to all other other brands of car. In May 2022, Tesla made 15 of its 98 UK charging sites available for use by all electric vehicles, as part of a Europe-wide pilot. More information on these sites (including locations of all Superchargers worldwide) can be found on Tesla's interactive Supercharger map.

Tesla's separate destination network is comprised of type 2 AC chargers with rated power outputs from 3kW to 22kW. Destination chargers can be unique to Tesla, or open to all with a Type 2 plug. 

Tesla says that ‘wherever two chargers are installed, we encourage one to be universal and one to be Tesla only’. A Tesla spokesperson told us the destination chargers have ‘the same hardware, just a switch inside that makes it universal or Tesla only’.

Interested in Tesla? See our independent Tesla car reviews.

Zap Pay

Not just used to find chargers, Zap-Map has launched a trio of options via its app and website - Zap Pay, Zap Home and Zap Work. 

Zap Pay grants users (registered or as a guest) to use multiple different networks without having to create separate accounts for either network. Launched with Osprey and ESB Energy, five more networks have since joined the platform: GeniePoint, char.gy, Motor Fuel Group (MFG), Revive and Mer.

Zap Home is slightly different and allows those with off street parking and a home charge point to list their personal charge point publicly, set rates and allow other people to use them between certain times. Zap Work is the same concept, but to be used by companies to list their company charge points.

Zap Map can now be accessed via AndroidAuto and Apple CarPay to those paying a subscription. Those who have signed up and have either AndroidAuto or Apple CarPlay in their vehicle can use an in-car version of Zap Map to locate charge points, view a charge point's status (where this information is available) and access route plans you may have set up previously.

If an electric car isn't right for you just yet, take a look at our expert pick of the best hybrid cars.

Drive smarter and cut costs using our expert advice. Get our Cars newsletter – it's free monthly