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.
Recommended
Complete guide to the InstaVolt charging network
Complete guide to the InstaVolt charging network
2 May 2024
Complete guide to the IONITY rapid-charging network
Complete guide to the IONITY rapid-charging network
2 May 2024
Tesla Supercharger network: complete guide to Tesla charging stations
Tesla Supercharger network: complete guide to Tesla charging stations
22 Apr 2024
Tesla Supercharger Membership fee cut with 42 charging sites open to all EVs
Tesla Supercharger Membership fee cut with 42 charging sites open to all EVs
19 Apr 2024
More on Charging
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
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