Where can you charge an electric car for free in the UK?
Quick answer
Public chargers that are free
About 2%
Most common at
Hotels and dealers
Typical speed
7kW or less
Free EV charging still exists in the UK, but it's rare and usually comes with conditions. Only around 2% of public chargers are marked as free to use. Most are slower 7kW chargers at hotels, car dealerships, car parks and attractions, and many are only for customers or guests.
Where to find free charging
- Hotels and B&Bs. The biggest group of free chargers, usually for overnight guests. Check when you book, as some need reserving.
- Car dealerships. Many have free chargers, but often only during opening hours and sometimes only for customers.
- Car parks. Some council, shopping centre and private car parks have free chargers, though some have switched to paid.
- Attractions, pubs and leisure centres. Some offer free charging to visitors while they're there.
- Supermarkets. Only a small number of Aldi, Asda and Sainsbury's stores still have free chargers. Tesco ended free charging in November 2022, and Lidl's rapid chargers are paid. Costco members can usually use its 7kW chargers free.
- London. JOLT chargers give 7 kWh of free charging a day, with anything beyond that charged per kWh.
- Your workplace. Some employers offer free charging to staff, so it's worth asking.
How to find free chargers near you
Charging apps let you filter for free chargers. In Zapmap, use the "Free to use" filter, then check recent user check-ins to see if the charger is working. PlugShare has a similar filter and covers smaller destination chargers. Always check the signs or the app for access rules before you plug in.
The catches
- Customers only. Many free chargers are for guests, shoppers or members.
- Time limits. Some cap sessions at a couple of hours, and car park rules still apply, so overstaying can mean a fine.
- Slow speeds. Most free chargers are 7kW or less. Free rapid chargers are very rare.
- You often need your own cable. Most free chargers have a socket rather than a cable, so keep a Type 2 cable in the boot.
Shop Type 2 cables at EV Cable Shop
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The cheapest reliable option
Free charging is a nice bonus, but it's hard to rely on. For most drivers, the cheapest dependable way to charge is at home on an EV tariff, at 6.5p to 9.5p per kWh overnight. That's about £3.25 to £4.75 to add 50 kWh, or roughly 175 miles. See how much you could save with our charging cost calculator.
Common questions
Can you still charge an electric car for free in the UK?
Yes, but it's rare. Only about 2% of public chargers are free, mostly at hotels, car dealers, car parks and attractions, and many are for customers only.
Is Tesco EV charging free?
No. Tesco ended free charging in November 2022. See our Tesco charging guide for current prices.
Which supermarkets have free EV charging?
Only a small number of Aldi, Asda and Sainsbury's stores still have free chargers, and Costco members can usually charge free. Check an app like Zapmap before you go.
How do I find free EV chargers near me?
Use the free-to-use filter in Zapmap or PlugShare, then check recent check-ins and the access rules before you travel.
Sources
Share of free chargers, supermarket, Costco and London details as reported by the RAC. Location types, finding free chargers and the catches as reported by BestChargers (updated 20 October 2026). Free charging changes often, so check before you travel. Rates and schemes change, so check with the supplier or GOV.UK before you rely on them.