Charging your electric vehicle (EV) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) has never been more convenient. Whether you’re at home, at work or on the road, there are plenty of options to ensure you stay powered up. From public chargers to home set-ups, here’s a quick guide to where and how you can charge your electrified vehicle.
Public chargers are widely available across the UK, from shopping centres and supermarkets to service stations and car parks. Apps like Zap map will help you locate nearby chargers, check their availability and even plan journeys around charging stops. Public chargers come in different types, including fast chargers and rapid chargers, which are ideal for topping up on longer journeys.
Charging at home is often the most convenient and cost-effective solution for electric vehicle owners. The simplest, though slowest, method is using a standard three-pin domestic socket, which typically provides around 2-3 kW of charging power. For a faster option, installing a dedicated home charging point is the ideal solution. These units, often rated at 7 kW, enable you to charge your vehicle overnight and wake up to a full battery. Additionally, many EV owners can take advantage of off-peak electricity tariffs, further reducing the cost of charging.
More workplaces are introducing charging points for employees, making it easy to top up during the workday. If your workplace doesn’t yet offer EV chargers, it’s worth asking your employer to consider installing them, as government grants are available to help with the cost.
You can charge an electric vehicle either by plugging it into a socket or by plugging into a charging unit. There are plenty of charging stations around the UK to stay fully charged while you're out and about.
Charging times depend on the type of charger you use and the size of your vehicle’s battery. Here’s a general guide:
Home chargers (3 kW): around 8-12 hours for a full charge
Fast chargers (7-22 kW): 6-8 hours (7 kW) or 2-4 hours (22 kW) for a full charge
Rapid chargers (50 kW+): 30-60 minutes to 80% charge