Electric vehicle (EV) charging in the UK is evolving quickly.
With the growing number of EVs on the road, understanding where to find free charging stations is becoming more important for drivers.
In this guide, we'll take a close look at the current state of free EV charging across the UK, including recent changes and future trends.
How many free EV charging points are there?
You might be surprised to hear that there are a significant number of free electric vehicle (EV) charging points across the UK.
According to Zapmap, as of April 2023 there were 3,568 free charging points in the UK, making up around 8.5% of all EV charging points. These free charging points are scattered across various towns, cities and locations.
Which areas have the most free EV chargers?
Scotland is leading the charge with 1,060 free EV chargers, largely due to the efforts of ChargePlace Scotland, a government-backed initiative. The South East of England follows with 489 free chargers, and Greater London has 355.
Northern Ireland also stands out, with nearly 50% of its chargers being free of charge.
Common locations for free EV charging points
Free EV charging points are often located at places with lots of passing traffic, or places looking to attract visitors. These include:
- Supermarkets: Stores like Tesco, Sainsbury's, Aldi, and Lidl offer free EV charging points. However, not all supermarkets provide this service, so it's worth checking before you go.
- Attractions: Museums, zoos, theatres, garden centres, and National Trust properties often have free EV charging points.
- Hotels and B&Bs: Many accommodations offer free EV charging to their guests.
- Car parks: Public, retail, and workplace car parks often have free EV charging points for visitors and commuters.
Most free EV charging points are fast (destination) chargers, with around 3,000 of them making up 84% of free chargers. There are also 395 free slow chargers and around 200 free rapid chargers. However, the availability of free rapid chargers could decrease in the future as more people switch to EVs.
Uber's Green Initiative
Uber is making big contributions to the electric vehicle (EV) landscape, aiming to be fully electric in London by 2025. The company has invested £5 million to install over 700 charge points across north and east London, boosting the city’s charging network by more than 7%.
These chargers are accessible to all drivers and residents, particularly benefiting people in areas like Brent, Newham, and Redbridge.
Uber's commitment to sustainability is also shown through its Uber Green service, allowing riders to request an EV at standard rates. There are now over 7,000 EVs on Uber's platform in London, driving one million electric miles per week.
With 90% of new Uber drivers using fully electric vehicles, Uber's initiatives are significantly advancing the EV market and promoting a greener future.
How can I find free EV charging points near me?
Finding free EV charging points near you might be easier than you think. There are several apps and websites, such as Zapmap, that can help you locate free EV charging points for your car or van.
On Zapmap, you can select the "free to use" option within the payment filter to find free charging points. The app also provides information about the type of charger (slow, fast, or rapid), the charging network, and user comments about the charging point's reliability and availability.
Remember, free chargers are often in high demand and may be slower than paid ones, so it's a good idea to have backup charging locations.
Does Aldi offer free EV charging?
Yes, some Aldi locations do offer free EV charging. While some of these are free to use, other Aldi stores offer charging points from 59p per kWh. The charging providers at Aldi are GeniePoint, Shell and BP Pulse. To find your nearest Aldi store with EV charging, use the Aldi store locator.
Does Asda provide free EV charging?
Yes, Asda provides free EV charging at select locations. In other locations, the cost is from 65p per kWh. The charging providers at Asda are GeniePoint and BP Pulse. Use the Asda store locator to find your nearest Asda store with EV charging.
Does Co-op Offer EV Charging and What is the Cost?
At the moment, Co-op doesn't offer free EV charging. There are paid EV charging points at some Co-op locations, with prices starting from 29p per kWh. These are provided by Plug-N-Go. To find a Co-op store with EV charging points, use the Co-op store locator.
Does Iceland offer EV charging?
No, at the moment Iceland doesn't offer EV charging facilities. For information on Iceland store locations near you, use the Iceland store locator.
Does Lidl provide EV charging and what is the cost?
At the moment, Lidl doesn't offer free EV charging. But, there are paid charging points at some stores, with prices starting from 36p per kWh. These are provided by PodPoint and Easygo.ie. Find your nearest Lidl with EV charging using the Lidl store locator.
What are the EV charging options at Morrisons?
Morrisons doesn't provide free EV charging, but there are paid charging points at some Morrisons stores, with prices from 51p per kWh. These charging points are provided by GeniePoint. You can find a Morrisons store with EV charging points through the Morrisons store locator.
Does Sainsbury’s offer free EV charging?
Yes, Sainsbury’s offers free EV charging at some of its larger stores. This service is provided by PodPoint. Find a Sainsbury’s store with free EV charging near you using the Sainsbury’s store locator.
Does Tesco provide EV charging and what is the cost?
At the moment, Tesco doesn't offer free EV charging. However, there are paid charging points at some larger Tesco stores, with prices starting from 44p per kWh. These are provided by PodPoint. To find a Tesco store with EV charging points, use the Tesco store locator.
What are the EV charging options at Waitrose?
Waitrose doesn't currently offer free EV charging. However, there are paid charging points at some Waitrose stores, with prices starting from 59p per kWh. These are mostly provided by BP Pulse. Find your nearest Waitrose offering EV charging using the Waitrose store locator.
