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
UK EV charging network grows by 47 per cent this year
UK EV charging network grows by 47 per cent this year
More on Charging
Government EV chargepoint grant extended to drivers without a driveway
Government EV chargepoint grant extended to drivers without a driveway
New £350 grant contributes towards the purchase and installation of a chargepoint for those who don’t have private parking
Energy price cap to fall in April making 1,000s of electric cars 12% cheaper to charge
Energy price cap to fall in April making 1,000s of electric cars 12% cheaper to charge
Ofgem, the UK energy regulator, has announced that the energy price cap will drop to £1,690 from April 2024 and that’s good news for electric car owne…
Free electric car charging from Octopus Energy as new ‘Power Pack’ tariff launched
Free electric car charging from Octopus Energy as new ‘Power Pack’ tariff launched
Octopus Energy has announced a new EV-specific tariff which utilises V2G technology to offer “free” EV 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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)
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
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…
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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…
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
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...
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