By FergusElectric cars are becoming more popular with motorists across the UK, and the number of public charging stations is increasing by the day. According to EDF Energy, there are now more than 42,000 charge point connectors in over 15,500 locations across the UK. However, with so many various locations and types of charging stations to choose from, it's understandable that some people are confused.
To help find electric car charging points in UK cities easily, electric car leasing specialists, Nationwide Vehicle Contracts, has put together a handy guide on how much it costs to charge an EV at a charge point and where to charge your EV in your city location.
This guide includes where to find EV charge points in the following popular UK cities:
How much you pay depends on the vehicle, electricity source, charging speed and even how often you use the car. Many local authorities offer a pay per session model for on-street charges. If you have a network membership, they can occasionally be free to use. Drivers might find that a pay-as-go approach is best, but regular commuters might favour a subscription service.
Using Zap-Map's public charging calculator to charge an EV to 80% at a public rapid charger costs around £7 to £10.
There are also thousands of free electric car charge points in the UK, often located in supermarkets, public car parks, shopping centres, hotels and service stations. When charging in these locations, make sure to double-check whether there are any restrictions, such as a time limit or a requirement to make a purchase in-store.
Check out our Electric Car Charging Costs guide to find out the difference in charges between home, public and work charge points and which electric cars are the cheapest to charge.
“When using a free electric vehicle charging station in the UK, be sure to check for any restrictions, such as a time limit or a requirement to make an in-store purchase.”
In the UK, there are over 15,000 charging points with a variety of charging speeds, including slow, fast and rapid:
We've listed some EV charging points located close to typical tourist locations and attractions in some of the most popular UK cities.
Location: Concert Hall Approach, South Bank, SE1 8XU
Network / Operator: Charge Your Car
Number Of Stations/Bays: x1 Type 2 (7kW)
Public - Membership Required
Usage Cost: £1.50 + £0.20/kWh
Location: Q-Park Westminster, Great College Street, London SW1P 3RX
Network / Operator: BP Pulse
Number Of Stations/Bays: x3 Type 2 (7kW)
Public - Membership Required
Usage Cost: £0.108/kWh; for Polar Plus subscription members only. Parking fees apply 24/7
Location: Park Lane, London, W1K 7TY
Network / Operator: BP Pulse
Number Of Stations/Bays: x34 Type 2 (Socket Only)
Public - Membership Required
Usage Cost: £0.108/kWh; for Polar Plus subscription members only. Parking fees apply
Location: Marks & Spencer-Longbridge House Manchester, 7 Market Street, Manchester, M1 1WT
Network / Operator: POD Point
Number Of Stations/Bays: x1 Type 2 (7kW)
Public - Membership Required
Usage Cost: Free to use, parking charges may apply
Location: Marriott Manchester Salford Quays, 17-19 Trafford Road, Salford, M5 3AW
Network / Operator: BP Pulse
Number Of Stations/Bays: x1 Type 2 (7kW)
Public - Pay At Location
Usage Cost: Rapids Polar Card 15p/kWh, Contactless 20p/kWh
Location: RCP Parking, Angel Street, Manchester M4 1EH
Network / Operator: Recharge
Number Of Stations/Bays: x1 Type 2 (7kW)
Public - Membership Required
Usage Cost: 25p/kWh, Pay as you go, maximum stay 3 hours
Location: Margaret Street, Birmingham, B3 3BX
Network / Operator: ESB EV-Solutions
Number Of Stations/Bays: x2 Type 2 (22kW)
Public
Usage Cost: Free (Parking charges may apply)
Location: Q-Park Brindley Place, 1 Brunswick Street, B1 2JF
Network / Operator: BP Pulse
Number Of Stations/Bays: x1 Type 2 (7kW)
Public - Membership Required
Usage Cost: £0.108/kWh; for Polar Plus subscription members only
Location: Sainsbury's Selly Oak, 1 Chapel Lane, Birmingham, B29 6SJ
Network / Operator: POD Point
Number Of Stations/Bays: x8 Type 2 (7kW)
Public - Membership Required
Usage Cost: Free (Parking charges may apply)
Location: NCP Greyfriars Road, Greyfriars Road, Cardiff, CF10 3AD
Network / Operator: BP Pulse
Number Of Stations/Bays: x2 Type 2 (22kW)
Public - Membership Required
Usage Cost: £0.108/kWh; for Polar Plus subscription members only. £1.70 per hour for type 2. Parking fees apply
Location: St. David's Shopping Centre Car Park, Hills Street, Butetown, Cardiff, CF10 2EQ
Network / Operator: BP Pulse
Number Of Stations/Bays: x4 Type 2 (22kW)
Public - Membership Required
Usage Cost: Inclusive; for Polar Plus subscription members only
Location: Tesco Superstore-Penarth, Terra Nova Way, Cardiff, CF64 1SA
Network / Operator: POD Point
Number Of Stations/Bays: x4 Type 2 (7kW)
Public - Membership Required
Usage Cost: Free (Parking charges may apply)
Location: Wilson Street, Glasgow, G1 1HO
Network / Operator: Chargeplace Scotland
Number Of Stations/Bays: x2 Type 2 (22kW)
Public - Membership Required
Usage Cost: Free (Parking charges may apply)
Location: Kelvingrove Art Galleries and Museum, Argyle St, Glasgow, G3 8AG
Network / Operator: Chargeplace Scotland
Number Of Stations/Bays: x2 Type 2 (22kW)
Public - Membership Required
Usage Cost: Free (Parking charges may apply)
Location: Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, Glasgow, G40 3HY
Network / Operator: Chargeplace Scotland
Number Of Stations/Bays: x2 Type 2 (7kW)
Public - Membership Required
Usage Cost: Free (Parking charges may apply)
Location: Lower Car Park, Edinburgh, Robertson Close, EH1 1LT
Network / Operator: Chargeplace Scotland
Number Of Stations/Bays: x2 Type 2 (7kW)
Public - Membership Required
Usage Cost: Free (Parking charges may apply)
Location: Scottish Parliament Building, Edinburgh, Horse Wynd, EH99 1SP
Network / Operator: Chargeplace Scotland
Number Of Stations/Bays: x2 Type 2 (22kW)
Public - Membership Required
Usage Cost: Free (Parking charges may apply)
Location: Royal Zoological Society, 134 Corstphine Road, Edinburgh, EH12 6TS
Network / Operator: Chargeplace Scotland
Number Of Stations/Bays: x2 Type 2 (22kW)
Public - Membership Required
Usage Cost: Free (Parking charges may apply)
Location: DRD Eastside Middle Path, A1 Belfast, BT5 4BG
Network / Operator: E-Car
Number Of Stations/Bays: x2 Type 2 (22kW)
Public - Membership Required
Usage Cost: Free (Parking charges may apply)
Location: DRD Car Park on Cromac Street, Belfast, BT2 8JN
Network / Operator: E-Car
Number Of Stations/Bays: x2 Type 2 (22kW)
Public - Membership Required
Usage Cost: Free (Parking charges may apply)
Location: 23-91 Adelaide Street, Belfast, BT2 8GB
Network / Operator: E-Car
Number Of Stations/Bays: x2 Type 2 (22kW)
Public - Membership Required
Usage Cost: Free (Parking charges may apply)
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