How to charge an electric car at home and on the road

Put simply, the higher the kilowatt (kW) output of a charger, the faster your EV’s battery will charge. Domestic three-pin plugs typically deliver around 2.3kW and are classified as ‘slow’ chargers. Dedicated home wallboxes usually give you 7kW AC power and are considered ‘fast’ chargers, though many EV drivers find this speed modest compared to public rapid chargers.

Public chargers delivering 50kW DC are known as ‘rapid’ chargers, while those offering 100kW or more are called ‘ultra-rapid’. Ultra-rapid chargers capable of 150kW to 350kW are increasingly common along major UK motorways.

Home and other ‘fast’ chargers use AC (alternating current), while rapid and ultra-rapid chargers supply DC (direct current) power directly to the battery, enabling quicker charging.

For example, charging a BMW iX3 with a 74kWh battery using a 50kW rapid charger typically takes around 90 minutes from near empty to full.

Bear in mind that charging speeds slow down as the battery approaches 100% to protect battery health. Do also note that each electric car has a maximum charging rate it can accept – so if your car’s limit is 100kW, you won’t benefit from a 150kW charger beyond that speed.

How do you charge an electric car at home?

Our dedicated guide to home charging has more details, but to recap: there are two main ways to charge your EV at home – using a standard domestic three-pin plug or installing a dedicated home chargepoint (wallbox). Both usually require off-street parking.

A three-pin plug can work in a pinch but is very slow, often taking 30-35 hours to fully charge, depending on the battery. Continuous use of a regular socket can risk overloading old wiring, and you should never use a standard extension lead for safety reasons. For these reasons, charging via a three-pin plug is best reserved for emergencies.

Most EV owners opt for a dedicated wallbox, costing around £800 to install (with potential grants available). These typically deliver about 7kW, charging roughly 30 miles of range per hour, so a full charge usually takes around 10 hours.

If that seems slow compared to filling a petrol tank, think of EV charging like charging a smartphone – many owners top up regularly rather than charging from empty to full.

How do I get an EV chargepoint installed at home?

Home wallboxes must be installed by a qualified professional, typically arranged by the supplier. During an initial consultation, they’ll assess your home’s electrical system to ensure it can safely support the charger or if upgrades are needed – older wiring may need improvements.

Installation usually takes around two hours, with the installer coordinating with your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) to notify them of the new charger. Due to high demand, lead times can be long, so it’s wise to start the process well before you take delivery of your EV.

There are many wallbox options available; check our guide to the best home chargers before buying. It’s also worth speaking to your energy supplier about EV tariffs or off-peak plans such as Economy 7 to reduce charging costs.

There is still a charging grant available, but only for certain groups. The government’s Homecharge Scheme for private homeowners ended in April 2022. Now, only renters, flat owners, and landlords can claim up to £350 toward installation.

You can also install chargers delivering up to 22kW at home, but this requires a three-phase electricity supply – which most UK homes don’t have – and can be costly to set up.

Charging costs are also based on your EV’s battery size, electricity tariff, and charging time. For example, charging a Skoda Enyaq’s 62kWh battery from empty at 28p per kWh would cost about £17.36, though actual costs depend on charger efficiency and electricity rates.

What about people with no off-street parking?

If you have a driveway or garage, charging an EV is straightforward as most owners charge primarily at home. Many blocks of flats now offer chargepoints, or residents can work with landlords or freeholders to get them installed.

The government is also investing £25m to help local councils install “cross-pavement” charging solutions, which involves digging a small trench in the pavement with a flap that lets a charging cable safely cross the road without causing a trip hazard. This will make it easier for people without driveways to charge their EVs at home with cheaper electricity.

For the third of UK households without off-street parking, charging can be trickier – but solutions are growing. These include kerbside chargers (often built into lamp posts), workplace charging, and public chargers at supermarkets, gyms, and car parks. Rapid chargers at service stations and other hubs also allow for quicker top-ups when needed.

How do you charge an electric car in public spaces?

Public chargers are available at a growing range of locations, including roadsides, motorway services, public car parks, and dedicated charging hubs with amenities such as shops and washrooms.

Many units are rapid (50kW), while ultra-rapid chargers (150–350kW) are becoming more common, particularly at motorway services and charging hubs. Although not all EVs can accept the highest speeds, most charge at rates between 50kW and 150kW depending on the model.

Charge points are operated by companies such as Shell Recharge, BP Pulse, Instavolt, Gridserve, Tesla, and local councils. Tesla Superchargers are now open to non-Tesla vehicles at many UK locations, broadening access to one of the fastest networks.

Each network has its own pricing, with pay-as-you-go options available via contactless or mobile phone. App-based platforms such as Zapmap, Octopus Electroverse, and Bonnet are increasingly popular for locating chargers, checking availability, and activating sessions across multiple networks. Memberships can also unlock discounted rates.

Many EV charging networks work together these days, so joining one can often give you access to others too. Some of the big national providers are also linked with smaller local ones, making it easier to find a charger when you’re out and about.

There are loads of networks across the UK, but here’s a quick overview of the main ones and how they work:

Network	How their services work
BP Pulse	Offers pay-as-you-go via app, contactless, or RFID card. Subscription available for discounted rates.
ChargePlace Scotland	Access via RFID card or app. Some chargers are free; others may charge a fee depending on the local authority.
eCar NI (Northern Ireland)	Many chargers are still free but require RFID cards or an app. Modernisation of the network is currently underway.
Gridserve	Ultra-rapid chargers at motorway services and destinations. Pay via contactless or app.
ESB Energy (UK)	Available via app or RFID, with pay-as-you-go and some contactless payment options.
GeniePoint	Access via app or RFID card. Now supports roaming through Electroverse and other platforms.
Instavolt	Contactless pay-as-you-go only. No app or subscription required. Reliable and widely praised.
Ionity	Ultra-rapid chargers across the UK and Europe. Access via app, RFID, or through manufacturer-linked plans.
Pod Point	Some free chargers (e.g. at supermarkets), but most require app activation. No RFID support.
Osprey	Contactless pay-as-you-go via card, phone, or app. No subscription required.
Shell Recharge	Wide network of rapid chargers. Supports app, contactless, and roaming via third-party apps.
Source London	Subscription-based, with access via RFID card or app. Mostly located in London boroughs.
Tesla Supercharger	Now open to non-Tesla drivers at many sites via the Tesla app. Still automatic billing for Tesla owners. V4 Superchargers are all now contactless.
Ubitricity	Primarily kerbside chargers in cities. Access via app, QR code, or smart cable. Increasingly integrated with roaming apps.
Zero Carbon World	Free charging at select hospitality venues. No access card needed, but locations are limited.

Charging etiquette

Here are some tips and tricks for having a smooth-sailing charging experience:

• If you don’t have an EV, don’t park in a charging spot, ever. (That’s called ICEing.)
• Don’t use a charging spot if you’re not actually charging.
• Once your car’s charged, move it ASAP to free up the space.
• Use apps to get alerts when your charge is done – don’t wander off too far.
• Never unplug someone else’s car unless they’ve left a note saying it’s okay.
• Treat the cables and connectors with care – don’t leave stuff lying around.
• Just be considerate and help each other out!

Where can I find an electric car charging point?

Public chargers can now be found almost anywhere with an electricity supply: from fast food car parks and campsites to National Trust sites, hospitals, and shopping centres. Use our interactive map to explore live chargepoint locations across the UK.

At service stations

Fuel providers such as BP Pulse, Shell Recharge, and Gridserve now operate rapid and ultra-rapid chargers at many petrol stations and motorway services. These sites are increasingly being upgraded to support high-speed charging (100–350kW).

Destination chargers

Destination chargers (typically 7-22kW) are slower than rapid units but useful for topping up while you’re parked. They’re commonly found at:

• Hotels and B&Bs
• Gyms and leisure centres
• Supermarkets and restaurants
• Visitor attractions and golf clubs

Some may be free to use, especially for guests or customers.

Tesla Superchargers

Tesla Superchargers are no longer just for Teslas: many UK sites are now open to non-Tesla EVs via the Tesla app, though rates may vary.

There are over 800 Supercharger stalls across the UK, many delivering 150kW or more, with newer sites offering up to 250kW.

Tesla’s network remains known for its reliability, ease of use, and lower costs compared to most providers, but other high-speed networks such as Ionity, Osprey, and Instavolt are now widely available to all EV drivers.

Looking for free EV charging? They’re becoming harder to find, but there are still a few out there. Check out our dedicated guide on where to charge your electric car for free.

Which charging points can I use?

Most new EVs come with Type 2 (for slower charging) and CCS (Combined Charging System) sockets, which cover nearly all home and public chargers in the UK. Home and slower (around 7kW) chargers use Type 2 connectors, while rapid chargers almost always use CCS plugs.

Many home wallboxes have tethered cables (fixed to the charger), so you just plug into your car. Some chargers don’t include cables, meaning you’ll need to bring your own – usually a Type 2 cable for AC charging. Check your car’s specs to see what cables come included and keep any extra cables in your boot.

While early EVs had various plug types, Type 2 and CCS are now the industry standard. A few older models, such as the Nissan Leaf, still use CHAdeMO for rapid charging, but CCS has largely replaced it. Public rapid chargers over 50kW typically have tethered CCS cables and may also offer CHAdeMO, but adapters between CCS and CHAdeMO don’t exist.

Meanwhile, Tesla owners can use almost all UK public chargers, although Model S and Model X owners may need to use an adaptor.

Our guide to EV connector types has more details on this topic.

How long does it take to charge an electric car?

A 100kWh battery charging at 100kW will theoretically take about 1 hour to go from 0 to 100%, while a 50kWh battery would take around 30 minutes at the same rate. Using a slower 7kW charger, a full charge would take roughly 14 hours for the 100kWh battery and 7 hours for the 50kWh.

In practice, EV owners rarely charge from 0 to 100% because:

• Running to 0% can harm battery health.
• Charging slows significantly after about 80% to protect the battery and prolong its lifespan, so charging up to 80% is generally recommended.
• Charging speeds can drop if multiple EVs use the same station simultaneously.

A practical rule of thumb: a 45-minute rapid charge usually gets you from about 20% to 80%, enough for most journeys.

How much does it cost to charge an electric car?

Public charging is generally more expensive than charging at home. For example, Ionity charges £0.79/kWh, so fully charging a 77kWh battery would cost around £60. Instavolt chargers can cost around £0.75/kWh at peak times, bringing a full charge to about £58–£61, depending on the location.

At home, costs depend on your electricity tariff. Many EV owners use specialist tariffs with cheaper rates during off-peak hours. For example, the Octopus Go offers off-peak rates as low as £0.07/kWh from 23:30 to 05:30. Charging a 7kW wallbox during this window can add around 28kWh for just £1.96. Fully charging a 77kWh battery at this rate would cost about £5.39. At peak rates of around 28.69p/kWh, the same charge could cost £22.29 or more.

Using smart chargers to schedule overnight charging can save a lot compared to public charging.

Charging an electric car FAQs

How do electric cars charge?

Electric car batteries work just like any other battery. When you plug in your EV, it stores electricity as chemical energy. Then, when you drive, that energy gets turned back into electricity to power the motor.

How long does it take to charge an electric car?

As discussed above, this depends on the power of the charger you are using, the speed at which a car can accept a charge, and the size of a battery pack. Many EV owners charge at home little and often, but as a rule of thumb charging an EV from, say, 20% to 80% should take between 30 and 90 minutes.

Do I have to pay for electric car charging?

In most cases, yes. If you’re charging at home, the cost is simply added to your electricity bill. Some people are lucky enough to have access to workplace chargers, and in many cases, the employer covers that cost.

When it comes to public chargers, most of them do charge a fee, but there are still some free options out there. As of 2025, there are around 1,600 of them offering free charging. These are typically slower 3-8 kW units, and you’ll usually find them in places such as tourist attractions, hotels and B&Bs and some universities and colleges.

How do I pay for electric car charging?

If you’re charging at home, the cost just goes on your regular electricity bill. For public charging, most networks let you pay as you go using a contactless credit/debit card or mobile payment. Some networks also offer subscriptions. BP Pulse, for example, offers a membership plan (currently £7.85/month) that gives you discounted rates and access via an app or RFID card.

Can I charge an electric car without a driveway?

If you don’t have off-street parking, you’ll need to rely on public or workplace chargers as home wallboxes won’t be installed without private parking. It’s not safe to run extension leads across pavements due to fire risks and trip hazards.

The good news: local councils are rolling out more options like lamppost chargers, kerbside pop-up units, and pavement-mounted rapid chargers to support on-street charging.

Are all EV chargers the same?

No, chargers vary by speed. Home and work chargers usually provide around 7kW, while public chargers typically offer 50kW or more for faster charging.

Most EVs use CCS and Type 2 connectors, which are now industry standard. A few, such as the older versions of the Nissan Leaf, still use CHAdeMO, which you’ll still find at many public rapid chargers.

How many charging points are there in the UK?

There are about 76,500 public charge points, with roughly 6,000 being rapid or ultra-rapid chargers.

Will it cost more to run an electric car if I can’t charge at home?

Yes, public charging is generally more expensive than home charging. There are some free chargers that are still available, but they are hard to come by.

How do I charge an electric car at home if I don’t have a driveway?

You’ll need to rely on public chargers. Many councils are installing kerbside chargers, but availability isn’t guaranteed. Home chargers usually require off-street parking, and trailing extension leads aren’t safe or recommended.

How do I charge quickly on a long journey?

Use rapid or ultra-rapid chargers and aim to charge up to around 80% as charging slows down after that.

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