How to Access Public Charging Points
Summary
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to use and access public charging points, explore the different access methods, and help you find the right charging solutions for your lifestyle.
Understanding the Charging Ecosystem
Charging your EV whilst you’re already parked is the most efficient way of keeping your car ready—whether that’s at home, work, or regular destinations. But when a home charger isn’t an option, public charging becomes a key part of your EV journey.
From workplace charging to destination charging points at shopping centres, and rapid chargers for en-route pit stops, the UK’s charging ecosystem offers solutions for every driver. With over 70,000 public charging points featuring more than 106,000 connectors and rapidly growing every week, you’re never far from a reliable power source.
Access Methods for Public Charging Points
There are thousands of public EV charging points spread across the UK, and the way you access each point will vary depending on both the charging provider and the charging point itself.
Depending on your local area and the routes you take in your day-to-day driving, you may need to familiarise yourself with a few different modes of access to keep your battery topped up and ready to go.
Here’s an overview of the common access methods you’ll come across using public charging networks, and the features that can make them more or less appropriate for your needs.
Plug and Play
Plug and Play chargers allow you to simply connect your vehicle and start charging—no accounts or apps required. Commonly found at workplaces or venues like gyms, these can be free of charge, but when payment is required, these support contactless or card payment. These may soon evolve to enable secure payments via your EV.
App-Enabled
Many networks require users to download their app, set up an account, and store payment details. This method offers convenience, insights into your usage, and the ability to find chargers within the same network. However, on long trips, you may require multiple apps to access the charging points on your route as they may be run by different providers.
RFID Card
RFID cards work like your contactless debit or credit card, allowing you to activate and pay for charging sessions. While easy to use and ideal for areas with limited mobile signal, these are becoming less common as providers shift towards app-based systems.
Contactless / Payment Card
Widely available on rapid chargers, contactless payment points allow you to tap your credit or debit card—or a mobile device—and start charging. Simple and hassle-free, this is one of the most user-friendly options, though it’s often associated with higher costs per session.
Subscription Services
Subscription-based charging offers unlimited use within a specific network for a flat monthly fee. This can be cost-effective for frequent users, but only if your driving patterns align with the provider’s network coverage.
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View Used Electric Porsches View New Electric PorschesCharging Etiquette: Public Charging Best Practices
As public EV charging grows, good etiquette ensures a smooth experience for everyone. Here are some key tips to keep in mind:
Use The Right Charger For Your Model
When you first pull into a location with destination charging, your first instinct may be to park up at the first rapid charger you see and plug in. However, it’s important to remember that not every EV is compatible with rapid charging.
If your car can’t accommodate the rate of energy transfer from rapid chargers, you’ll only get the charging speed that your car is capped at, all the while taking up a charging bay space that could be used by someone whose EV is compatible with rapid charging.
Be sure to familiarise yourself with the relevant information of your vehicle and make sure you’re sticking to the right kind of chargers. This way, you won’t take up unnecessary space that could be used by rapid-enabled models.
Don’t Stay Parked Up After You’re Finished Charging
Charging your EV’s battery can take a little while. Naturally, you might be in the habit of plugging in your car and then walking off to kill some time. No one’s expecting you to sit with your car and watch its battery go from empty to full. However, it is important to vacate the parking space as soon as possible once your vehicle is charged up, and allow the next driver to have their session.
Remember that this rule is especially important for rapid chargers, which are specially designed to get an EV charged up in a matter of minutes rather than hours. Some charge point providers and vehicle manufacturers (e.g. BMW, MINI, and Porsche) will now send push notifications to your phone through their apps to remind you when your vehicle is fully charged. This will help to plan your charging sessions ensuring you’re only parked up for as long as you need to.
Recharge Little and Often
As you’ve probably gathered by now, the overarching aim of public charging etiquette is to get the charge you need and then leave the charging point as soon as possible so that someone else can use it.
This is a simple principle to remember, but if you have a habit of letting your battery run down to being near-empty before a recharge, you could be inadvertently “hogging” available spaces and breaking the golden rule of EV charging courtesy.
Beyond courtesy, charging little and often is also better for your EV’s battery health. Following the widely recommended 20-80% rule—keeping your battery level between 20% and 80%—helps to reduce battery strain and maintain long-term performance.
To avoid last-minute panics when your battery is running low and to preserve its lifespan, try to adopt a habit of shorter, regular charges whenever you see an opportunity. This will ensure the considerate use of public charge points and optimal care for your EV battery.
