Are public electric car charging points free?

The cost of EV charging points or charging stations will depend on the provider. Some will prompt users to pay via a dedicated app, while others may offer charging for free. It’s important to note that there are fewer places still offering free public EV charging. But some supermarkets like Tesco and Sainsbury's still offer free charging, and certain hotels provide complimentary charging as part of your stay. It's worth considering these options when planning a trip. If you own a Porsche electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid model, you get access to free charging as a guest at a range of exceptional hotels, restaurants, golf courses or marinas that are part of the Destination Porsche Charging Network.

How do you pay for electric car charging?

When using a public charging point , you’ll likely need to download an app to access and pay for the charge. Alternatively, some charging points may simply allow contactless payments. Some brands like Porsche and MINI, for example, offer drivers simple and hassle-free methods of charging their EVs. With Porsche Destination Charging , Porsche owners can enjoy free EV charging at over 5,500 charge points at select hotels, resorts, and restaurants. It’s designed to make road trips smoother, letting drivers relax or stay overnight while their car powers up. With more charging spots popping up, it’s an easy way to keep your car ready to go, hassle-free, while you enjoy a range of luxury destinations. MINI is another brand that simplifies the process of paying for your charging. When you register online, you can select from a number of tariffs, activate your MINI Charging Card, and download the MINI App to access over 800,000 charge points across Europe. You use your card to pay for the charge and then you pay a monthly invoice that is sent to you.

Maintain Steady Speeds

Driving at consistent speeds is key to conserving battery power. High speeds and sudden surges consume more energy, so aim for a smooth and steady pace, particularly on motorways.

Rapid acceleration drains your battery more quickly. Gradual, controlled acceleration not only optimises energy use but also helps extend the life of your battery.

Use Regenerative Braking Effectively

Regenerative braking captures energy typically lost during deceleration and feeds it back into the battery. To maximise its benefits, anticipate when you’ll brake and ease off the accelerator early and the vehicle will use its regeneration function to help slow you down, reducing the need for using the brake pedal.

Minimise Climate Control Use

Heating, air conditioning, and other climate controls consume a significant amount of energy. Use these sparingly, and consider pre-conditioning your car while it’s still charging to save energy for your drive. For a more energy efficient way of keeping warm, if your BEV is fitted with heated seats and/or a heated steering wheel, use these instead as they consume less power.

Be Aware of Battery Temperatures

Optimal battery performance occurs within a certain temperature range, typically between 15–25°C. Extreme cold or heat can reduce efficiency and range. Pre-conditioning your battery, particularly in winter, ensures it's warmed up before you hit the road, helping to maintain a consistent range.

Keep Your Tyres Properly Inflated

Under-inflated tyres create more rolling resistance, making your EV work harder and reducing range. Regularly check tyre pressures and ensure they’re inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended levels.

Plan Charging Stops Strategically

Use navigation tools or apps to plan routes that include charging stations, particularly on longer journeys. Knowing where to recharge reduces range anxiety and helps you drive more confidently. As of 2024, there are over 930,000 EV chargers in the UK with roughly 70,000 of those being public charging devices. This is an increase of nearly 63% in a single year with previous years seeing only a 30% year-on-year. To put this into perspective, there are only 8,353 petrol stations across the UK, meaning EV drivers already have significantly more charging locations available than petrol or diesel users do for refuelling. With more charge points being installed every day, the UK’s charging network continues to grow, helping to alleviate concerns around range anxiety and making EV ownership a more practical and convenient choice.

Keep Your Battery at Its Best

By maintaining steady speeds, minimising unnecessary power use, and ensuring your battery operates at optimal temperatures, you’ll enjoy the full benefits of EV ownership. With these tips, every journey becomes a showcase of your EV’s remarkable efficiency.

What’s the Difference Between BEV, PHEV, and FCEV?

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) are fully electric, running entirely on electricity stored in their batteries. With zero tailpipe emissions, they’re the most environmentally friendly option. Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) combine an electric motor with a petrol engine, offering the flexibility to switch between electric and fuel power. Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) take a different approach, generating electricity using hydrogen fuel cells. The only by-product? Water vapour.

What’s the Difference Between EV and BEV?

"EV" stands for Electric Vehicle and is a broad term that covers all types of electrified vehicles, including BEVs, PHEVs, and FCEVs. However, "EV" and "BEV" are sometimes used interchangeably to refer to fully electric Battery Electric Vehicles.