Where to charge your electric car for free

Learn how to easily find free EV charging stations across the UK, keep your electric car powered, and save money with this handy guide.

As electric cars become an increasingly common sight on UK roads, one question is top of mind for many drivers: where can I charge for free?

With EVs now accounting for more than 20% of new car registrations, free charging has become a hot topic – but it’s also a shrinking perk.

As of April 2025, there are over 79,000 public EV charging devices available nationwide. Yet, only 1,663 – that’s around 2% – remain free to use, according to EV charging company Zapmap. So, where can you still find these rare and cost-saving stations?

In this guide, we’ll explore the current landscape of free EV charging in the UK, highlight where you’re most likely to find these stations, and share tips to help you track them down with ease.

Where are the most free EV charging points?

The availability of free EV chargers varies significantly across different regions. The areas with the highest number of free chargers are Greater London (296), the South East (233), and the East of England (145).

However, it’s important to note a few key trends. For instance, Greater London’s 296 free chargers make up just 1% of its total charging devices, highlighting the city’s heavy reliance on paid on-street chargers and rapid charging stations.

Here are the number of free chargers by area, according to Zapmap:

Area	# of free chargers
Greater London	296
South East	233
East of England	145
Scotland	151
North West	122
West Midlands	131
South West	157
Yorkshire and the Humber	135
Wales	109
North East	70
East Midlands	75
Northern Ireland	18
Isle of Man	5
Channel Islands	8

Where you’re most likely to find free chargers

Car dealership forecourts host the highest number of free EV charging devices, according to Zapmap data from March 2025 – though access is often limited to customers or restricted to business hours. You’ll also find 287 free devices at accommodation sites, including hotels and B&Bs, and 161 at supermarkets across the UK.

Here are some of the other types of places you’ll find the highest number of free chargers:

• Tourist attractions such as museums, garden centres, theatres, zoos, and National Trust sites often provide complimentary charging for visitors. These include places such as the Eden Project, Thorpe Park and Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire.
• Many hotels and B&Bs offer free Type 2 EV charging for overnight guests, typically with guest-only access and possible advance booking required.
• Some universities and colleges offer free EV charging to students, staff, and sometimes even visitors.
• There are over 140 free EV charging points available across 23 UK national parks, and some of these are powered by solar energy.

Do UK supermarkets still offer free EV charging?

Supermarkets have scaled back free charging, but some exceptions remain:

Supermarket	Free charging?	Notes
Tesco	❌	Partnered with Pod Point & VW; most sites now charge per kWh, typically around 44p.
Sainsbury’s	❌	Launched an ultra-rapid charging network; pricing around 75p per kWh.
Aldi	✅❌	Some stores still offer free charging, but it varies by location and is being phased out.
Asda	❌	Chargers usually start around 65p per kWh, depending on the location and provider.
Lidl & Co-op	❌	Typically charge between 29p and 59p per kWh, depending on charger speed.
Morrisons	❌	Uses the GeniePoint network, which charges per kWh (usually ~49p–59p).

Pro tip: Always check your charging app or the location’s EV policy before setting off.

Types of free EV chargers you’ll find

So, you’ve found a free charging point – great! But how fast will it actually charge your car? The answer, unfortunately, is often: not very fast.

Most free chargers in the UK are “slow” chargers, offering under 8kW. 1,254 of them make up over 66% of the free charging network, Zapmap says. These chargers, usually found at hotels, residential streets, and car parks, can take 6 to 12 hours for a full charge – ideal for overnight stops, but not for quick top-ups.

If you’re looking for something with a little more oomph, fast chargers (8-22kW) can recharge your car in 1 to 6 hours. While some of these are still free, they’re becoming increasingly rare. Note also that not all electric cars can utilise fast chargers.

But the real prize is free rapid chargers (50-90kW), which can charge your EV to 80% in just 30 to 40 minutes. But don’t get too excited – only 85 exist across the UK, and most are tucked away at dealerships with restricted access.

Do all free electric car chargers have access restrictions?

Yes, some free EV chargers come with strings attached – and it’s important to know before you go. Many are restricted to certain users, such as customers of a shop or hotel, and you may need an RFID card or app to activate.

And while the charging itself might be free, parking often isn’t – so keep an eye out for potential fees.

How to find free EV charging points near you

There are many dedicated apps and tools to help you find free EV charging points. These include:

• Zapmap: The UK’s most popular EV charging map. Use the filter to select ‘free to use’ chargers and view live availability.
• PlugShare: Offers user reviews, access info, and lets you search specifically for free public chargers.
• ChargeFinder: Shows charging speed, cost, and availability in real time, with filters for free chargers.

Carwow also has an interactive map that shows your nearest EV charging stations. It provides details such as the number of bays, charger types, usage restrictions, and average charging costs.

Is free EV charging still worth it?

Free EV charging still exists in 2025 – but it’s now more of a bonus than a given. For long-term savings, your best bet is to combine free public charging with efficient home charging – especially if you’re harnessing solar power.

As the public charging network grows smarter and faster, convenience and speed are increasingly trumping the lure of ‘free.’ Still, with a bit of planning and the right tools, there are plenty of ways to keep your EV running without draining your wallet.

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