The UK has a large number of public Electric Vehicle (EV) charging networks. All public EV charging points require ad-hoc access. Most networks offer access via a smartphone app and/or RFID card, although contactless bank card access is common on rapid chargers.

CAN YOU CHARGE AN ELECTRIC CAR WITH A REGULAR OUTLET?

Yes you can charge an electric car with a regular outlet but it will take longer than if you have a higher-voltage outlet installed.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO CHARGE AN ELECTRIC CAR AT A CHARGING STATION?

The time can take anywhere between 30 minutes and more than 12 hours. The time it takes depends on the size of the battery and the speed of the charging point. A 60kWh battery will take a little under 8 hours to charge from empty with a 7kW charging point.

WHAT DO I NEED TO CHARGE AN ELECTRIC CAR AT HOME?

You will need a home charging point installed to charge an electric car at home. Typically, this will be installed where you park your electric car. A dedicated home charging point has built-in safety features and are generally faster than a 3 pin plug socket.
Charging at home is often the most convenient and cost-effective way to recharge an Electric Vehicle (EV). There are government grants available for the installation of home EV charge points. These are typically rated at 3 kW or 7 kW.

ARE CAR CHARGING STATIONS FREE UK?

In the UK, car charging stations at supermarkets or car parks are often free. Rapid charging points, typically found in motorway service stations cost £6.50 for a 30 minute charge (~100 miles).