Charging
The DrivingElectric charging hub is your one-stop shop for news and information about charging electric and plug-in hybrid cars in the UK
If you’re thinking about buying your first fully electric or plug-in hybrid car, you’ve probably got a lot of questions about charging. For instance, how much does it cost to charge an electric car? How long does it take? What is ‘smart charging’? Can you charge an EV if you don’t have a driveway? Are there still places that offer free electric car charging and where can you find rapid electric car chargers when making a longer journey?
To help make things easier, we’ve put together an extensive library of content all about charging electric cars and plug-in hybrids, with detailed guides for the UK’s largest EV charging networks. Plus, practical information on how charging works at home and in public, and the latest news on new charging services, apps, networks and infrastructure in the UK.
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The UK’s fastest electric car charger is live, but it’s too fast for most EVs
The UK’s fastest electric car charger is live, but it’s too fast for most EVs
12 Sep 2024
UK EV charging network grows by 47 per cent this year
UK EV charging network grows by 47 per cent this year
30 Jul 2024
Gridserve’s new lab aims to boost electric car charging point reliability
Gridserve’s new lab aims to boost electric car charging point reliability
24 Jul 2024
More on Charging
Complete guide to Hive EV Charging
Complete guide to Hive EV Charging
All you need to know about the Hive EV Charging wallbox and app
18 Nov 2021
Wireless charging for electric cars explained
Wireless charging for electric cars explained
What is wireless charging and how does wireless charging for electric and hybrid cars work? Find out here...
18 Oct 2021
UK’s EV charging network failing to provide equal access for disabled drivers
UK’s EV charging network failing to provide equal access for disabled drivers
Lack of accessibility to charging points may be in breach of equality laws according to new campaign, with the UK's Blue Badge holders at risk of bein…
13 Oct 2021
Octopus Electric Juice 'roaming' service passes 100,000-charger milestone
Octopus Electric Juice 'roaming' service passes 100,000-charger milestone
Octopus Energy's Electric Juice service gives access to multiple electric-car charging networks, with all payments appearing on a single bill
10 Sep 2021
Electric car charging cables explained
Electric car charging cables explained
Charging cables are essential for electric cars, but you may be considering buying a replacement or an extra one. Here’s everything you need to know b…
18 Aug 2021
Nissan and EDF launch commercial V2G service for fleets
Nissan and EDF launch commercial V2G service for fleets
According to EDF, fleets running Nissan Leafs and Nissan e-NV200 vans can save up to £350 a year per two-way charger installed
28 Jul 2021
RAC increases number of ‘EV Boost’ patrol vans for rescuing stranded electric cars
RAC increases number of ‘EV Boost’ patrol vans for rescuing stranded electric cars
One in five RAC vans will now carry the 'EV Boost' system, which can charge electric cars remotely on the roadside
27 May 2021
Electric car charging points UK: Ofgem invests £300 million in charging infrastructure
Electric car charging points UK: Ofgem invests £300 million in charging infrastructure
The investment will support 1,800 ultra-rapid chargers at motorway service stations and 1,750 charge points in towns and cities
24 May 2021
Honda launches 'e:PROGRESS' intelligent home charging service
Honda launches 'e:PROGRESS' intelligent home charging service
UK is first market in Europe for the service, which promises £475 average annual savings on energy bills
14 Apr 2021
Volkswagen and Tesco Pod Point charging network hits 500,000 charges milestone
Volkswagen and Tesco Pod Point charging network hits 500,000 charges milestone
Pod Point electric-car charging is being rolled out to 600 Tesco supermarket car parks around the UK
8 Apr 2021
Complete guide to the ecarNI charging network
Complete guide to the ecarNI charging network
Need to charge your electric car on the ecarNI charging network? Here’s how it works
1 Apr 2021
Upgrades coming for UK’s Electric Highway motorway charging network
Upgrades coming for UK’s Electric Highway motorway charging network
New chargers and improvements for existing tech, including contactless payment, are on the way for the motorway charging network in the UK
12 Mar 2021
Complete guide to the GMEV (now Be.EV) charging network
Complete guide to the GMEV (now Be.EV) charging network
Greater Manchester's 'GMEV' electric-car charging network was rebranded as 'Be.EV' in 2020, with expansion and improvement on the cards
25 Feb 2021
Government doubles charging point funding to £20 million in 2021/22
Government doubles charging point funding to £20 million in 2021/22
The Department for Transport is increasing funding available to councils for new chargers – but research shows progress has been slow so far
2 Feb 2021
Electric-car charging market set for government examination
Electric-car charging market set for government examination
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is launching a market study on electric-vehicle charging in the UK
3 Dec 2020
EV Charge Online service rolls out software updates and new features
EV Charge Online service rolls out software updates and new features
UK charging point access service works with 4,000 charging points
25 Jun 2020
Q&A: James Wehner, chief technology officer, Engenie
Q&A: James Wehner, chief technology officer, Engenie
Former McDonald's global product director joins charging network as CTO, with a focus on the customer experience
13 May 2020
Milton Keynes electric-car owners invited to charging technology trial
Milton Keynes electric-car owners invited to charging technology trial
Smart charging, vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and battery storage technology included; equipment can be retained
12 May 2020
Audi e-tron charging service launched for electric and plug-in hybrid owners
Audi e-tron charging service launched for electric and plug-in hybrid owners
New service for owners of electrified Audis gives access to 18 charging networks through a single card, as well as reduced charging fees
24 Jan 2020
Complete guide to eVolt home charging stations
Complete guide to eVolt home charging stations
eVolt is a sub-brand of Swarco that makes two electric-vehicle chargers but they aren’t common in the UK
22 Oct 2019
Can you store energy you generate?
Can you store energy you generate?
Generating your own energy through solar or wind is one thing, but you'll need a home battery system to make the most of it
11 Oct 2019
Complete guide to the ChargeYourCar charging network
Complete guide to the ChargeYourCar charging network
Find out how to charge you electric car or plug-in hybrid from this network of UK charge points
7 Oct 2019
Ford partners with NewMotion to provide 'roaming' access to chargers
Ford partners with NewMotion to provide 'roaming' access to chargers
New deal makes it easier for Ford PHEV drivers to find and pay for charging across Europe
11 Sep 2019
EO Charging and Moixa reveal home battery and solar kit
EO Charging and Moixa reveal home battery and solar kit
Charging and energy technology firms co-develop home battery and solar system for electric-car drivers
21 Aug 2019