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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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
Electric car drivers confess their public charging sins
Electric car drivers confess their public charging sins
18 Jul 2024
EV breakdowns from flat batteries are almost as rare as petrol cars running out of fuel
EV breakdowns from flat batteries are almost as rare as petrol cars running out of fuel
18 Jul 2024
What is fast charging? What is rapid charging? What is ultra-rapid charging? EV charging speeds explained
What is fast charging? What is rapid charging? What is ultra-rapid charging? EV charging speeds explained
16 Jul 2024
More on Charging
BT plans to upcycle 60,000 street cabinets into EV chargers
BT plans to upcycle 60,000 street cabinets into EV chargers
BT has confirmed its first street cabinet EV charger will open in Scotland within weeks
8 Jan 2024
New study reveals UK government’s empty promises on EV charging infrastructure
New study reveals UK government’s empty promises on EV charging infrastructure
A new investigation by the RAC shows just four in 10 service stations offer more than six rapid EV chargers
2 Jan 2024
Has the UK given up on EVs? New government ‘Plan for Drivers’ says no
Has the UK given up on EVs? New government ‘Plan for Drivers’ says no
UK government has announced a new 30-point manifesto which, in part, focuses on electrifying Britain’s roads
3 Oct 2023
Comment: finance, funding and fuel prices means now’s the best time to buy an EV
Comment: finance, funding and fuel prices means now’s the best time to buy an EV
Right now, we’re in a perfect storm that makes buying an electric car more appealing than ever – here’s why
15 Sep 2023
BP Pulse opens UK’s biggest EV charging station
BP Pulse opens UK’s biggest EV charging station
The BP Pulse Gigahub at Birmingham’s NEC can charge 180 EVs simultaneously, making it the UK’s largest charging site
7 Sep 2023
New V4 Tesla Supercharger unveiled for all EVs with contactless payment option
New V4 Tesla Supercharger unveiled for all EVs with contactless payment option
Tesla has unveiled the latest generation of its Supercharger public rapid charger, which is available to all electric car owners
25 Aug 2023
Comment: ‘Make EV charging like dining at The Ivy’
Comment: ‘Make EV charging like dining at The Ivy’
Content Editor Tom Jervis feels public EV charging requires a revolution, and a reservation system could be part of the solution
16 Aug 2023
Complete guide to the BP Pulse (formerly Polar Plus) charging network
Complete guide to the BP Pulse (formerly Polar Plus) charging network
Here's how to charge your electric or plug-in hybrid car on the BP Pulse public charging network (which was formerly known as Polar Plus)
10 Aug 2023
BT announces plans to enter EV charging market
BT announces plans to enter EV charging market
Phone and communications titan announces plan to transform its streetside broadband boxes into EV chargers
27 Jul 2023
What is a wallbox charger? Electric car home chargers explained
What is a wallbox charger? Electric car home chargers explained
What is a wallbox charger? What does it do? Do you really need one if you have an electric car? Here, we answer the most common questions about chargi…
18 Jul 2023
New EV charging laws to revolutionise UK charging infrastructure
New EV charging laws to revolutionise UK charging infrastructure
New regulations set to cover electric-car charger reliability, payment and pricing transparency
13 Jul 2023
How to charge an electric car: a complete guide
How to charge an electric car: a complete guide
Charging an EV can seem daunting; we explain cable types, where to find a charger and the etiquette surrounding it all
4 Jul 2023
Tethered or untethered home charger?
Tethered or untethered home charger?
Find out if you should buy a tethered or untethered EV charger and what the differences are between them
27 Jun 2023
New electric-car charging tech could add 100 miles in five minutes
New electric-car charging tech could add 100 miles in five minutes
XFC technology, due to arrive in 2024, could mean a 10-80% top-up in as little as 10 minutes
21 Jun 2023
Complete guide to BP Pulse (formerly BP Chargemaster) home chargers
Complete guide to BP Pulse (formerly BP Chargemaster) home chargers
BP Pulse (formerly known as BP Chargemaster) no longer sells home chargers to the public – we've got everything you need to know
10 May 2023
Complete guide to the Source London charging network
Complete guide to the Source London charging network
Not familiar with the Source London electric-car charging network? Here’s how to sign up, pay and charge your car at one of its on-street points
28 Apr 2023
Complete guide to the Ubitricity charging network
Complete guide to the Ubitricity charging network
Here's how to use the Shell-owned Ubitricity network, which offers convenient on-street charging through lamp-posts and bollards
28 Apr 2023
New PoGo rapid charging network launches in the UK
New PoGo rapid charging network launches in the UK
PoGo intends to install over 100 ultra-rapid chargers in 2023, and build more than 2,000 charging stations over the next four years
28 Feb 2023
What is a Type 2 charging cable?
What is a Type 2 charging cable?
Every electric car sold in the UK uses the Type 2 connector to charge. Here’s everything you need to know about charging an EV…
28 Feb 2023
What is a CCS charger?
What is a CCS charger?
We explain what a CCS electric-car rapid charger is, where to find one, and how to use them
21 Feb 2023
Complete guide to the Swarco E.Connect charging network
Complete guide to the Swarco E.Connect charging network
Here’s what you need to know before charging your electric car on the Swarco E.Connect network...
10 Feb 2023
Complete guide to the Gridserve (formerly Ecotricity) Electric Highway charging network
Complete guide to the Gridserve (formerly Ecotricity) Electric Highway charging network
Need to charge your electric vehicle on the Gridserve Electric Highway network? Here's how it works, how much it costs and how to pay
26 Jan 2023
Complete guide to the Fastned electric-car charging network in the UK
Complete guide to the Fastned electric-car charging network in the UK
Dutch company Fastned has a handful of charging hubs in England, and an extensive network on the continent
25 Jan 2023
Complete guide to the Shell Recharge charging network
Complete guide to the Shell Recharge charging network
Need to charge your electric car on the Shell Recharge charging network? Here’s how it works
18 Jan 2023