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 the ZeroNet charging network
Complete guide to the ZeroNet charging network
Funded by charity Zero Carbon World, the ZeroNet charging network features hundreds of points across the UK
26 Jul 2019
Large-scale trial supports smart charging
Large-scale trial supports smart charging
Electric Nation study suggest smart charging can move electric-car energy demand away from peak times
19 Jul 2019
Government calls for card-payment capability at rapid chargers
Government calls for card-payment capability at rapid chargers
Says it is "prepared to intervene to ensure a good deal for consumers"
15 Jul 2019
Engenie to install 2,000 new 50kW chargers in UK
Engenie to install 2,000 new 50kW chargers in UK
£35 million investment from infrastructure funding group paves way for thousands of new electric-car chargers
11 Jul 2019
To-U app will guide users to free 'destination' charging
To-U app will guide users to free 'destination' charging
Charging at over 500 hotel and restaurant locations in the UK included with To-U app
10 Jul 2019
PSA calls for easier public charging access in UK
PSA calls for easier public charging access in UK
Charging access difficulties described as a "market failure" that could impact take-up of electric vehicles
27 Jun 2019
UK's most picturesque charging points revealed
UK's most picturesque charging points revealed
Go Ultra Low commissions photos of the 10 most eye-catching locations to top up
26 Jun 2019
Ohme 'intelligent charging platform' launched
Ohme 'intelligent charging platform' launched
App-controlled charger promises big savings when combined with off-peak tariffs
25 Jun 2019
ChargePoint Services acquired by French energy company Engie
ChargePoint Services acquired by French energy company Engie
Operator of GeniePoint network joins French multinational
19 Jun 2019
'Mobile charging vans could reduce the need for home charging'
'Mobile charging vans could reduce the need for home charging'
NIO has shown how mobile charging vans can support electric cars in Chinese cities, so why not adopt the system here?
3 Jun 2019
Citizens Advice calls for customer-focused smart charging
Citizens Advice calls for customer-focused smart charging
Charity Citizens Advice wants consumers to be put first when new smart charging systems are designed
24 May 2019
Morrisons announces charging-point deal with GeniePoint
Morrisons announces charging-point deal with GeniePoint
100 rapid charging points to be installed at Morrisons supermarkets nationwide
27 Mar 2019
Renault vehicle-to-grid charging pilot scheme announced
Renault vehicle-to-grid charging pilot scheme announced
Renault Group announces trial of vehicle-to-grid technology across Europe
21 Mar 2019
Porsche Charging Service coming to the UK
Porsche Charging Service coming to the UK
Digital service grants Porsche drivers access to 49,000 charging points across Europe
5 Feb 2019
Volkswagen mobile charging station launching in 2020
Volkswagen mobile charging station launching in 2020
Flexible charging solution to be piloted in 2019, produced from 2020
28 Jan 2019
World’s first hydrogen fuel-cell charger launched
World’s first hydrogen fuel-cell charger launched
AFC Energy launches ‘CH2ARGE’ system, using hydrogen to generate electricity and charge electric cars
17 Jan 2019
Wireless charging study confirmed for London and Tamworth
Wireless charging study confirmed for London and Tamworth
Near-£50,000 grant from Office for Low Emission Vehicles awarded to investigate role of wireless charging in electric vehicle fleets
15 Jan 2019
NCP launches combined electric and disabled parking bays in Manchester
NCP launches combined electric and disabled parking bays in Manchester
Spaces for Blue Badge motorists with electric cars included in new car park in Salford
7 Jan 2019
Home car chargers to be 'smart' by July 2019
Home car chargers to be 'smart' by July 2019
Only smart chargers to be eligible for government grant from next July
14 Dec 2018
Experimental ultra-rapid charging promises full charge in 15 minutes
Experimental ultra-rapid charging promises full charge in 15 minutes
Prototype 450kW charging station demonstrated by German consortium including Porsche and BMW
13 Dec 2018
150kW super-rapid chargers to be rolled out on BP forecourts
150kW super-rapid chargers to be rolled out on BP forecourts
A new BP Chargemaster network of 150kW rapid chargers will offer faster charging than Tesla Superchargers
6 Dec 2018
Marston's pubs partner with Engenie to install rapid chargers
Marston's pubs partner with Engenie to install rapid chargers
19 sites live by early 2019; total network of 400 chargers planned
30 Nov 2018
British Gas launches electric car charging tariff
British Gas launches electric car charging tariff
Cheaper off-peak electricity for overnight charging
20 Nov 2018
Zap-Map and YourParkingSpace partner for home parking and charging-point rentals
Zap-Map and YourParkingSpace partner for home parking and charging-point rentals
Homeowners will be able to rent out their driveways and charging points
5 Nov 2018