Is It Possible to Charge an Electric Vehicle for Free?
Believe it or not, you can actually charge an electric car for free. Find out everything you need to know about free EV charging points.
When you buy an electric vehicle, charging becomes part of your regular routine. If you use public charging points, over time, you’ll be able to find your nearest EV charging station without even thinking about it.
But did you know there are free EV charging points available? Many public charging points let you power up for free – just another great benefit of being an electric car owner.
Read on to see how you can find EV charging for free.
How can I find free electric vehicle charging points?
To find your nearest free EV charging point, there are apps available. Zapmap and PlugShare are two popular apps helping drivers find their nearest public charging point.
The apps allow you to filter by charger speed and free EV charging points based on your location.
It’s worth noting that many free charging points have slower speeds and can have time limitations.
Where are free electric vehicle charging points located?
You can find EV charging for free in many car parks, including supermarkets, as well as at hotels and attractions. A lot of workplaces are now also installing free EV charge points so employees can power up during their workday.
If you are heading to an attraction, check their website to see if they offer free charging before you set off. Websites including Booking.com now also let you filter hotels based on whether they offer EV charging.
What is the most cost-effective way to charge an electric car?
There are a few ways that you can reduce your electric car charging costs. If time isn’t an issue, you can maximise free EV charging points. Many free electric car charging points can be slow, so it’s worth factoring this into your decision.
If you don’t want to spend too much time hanging around public charging points, there are other cheaper ways to charge your electric vehicle. Electricity rates are typically lower at night, so charging overnight can reduce costs. This paired with free EV charging points can keep running costs minimal.
A lot of public EV charging points also offer off-peak rates. If you can charge your electric vehicle during quieter periods, you can reap the benefits.
Is electric car charging expensive?
The cost of charging an electric car varies based on a few individual factors. These include the type of car, the speed of the charger, and how often you’ll be charging.
PodPoint a leading UK electric vehicle charging provider, recently published data on how much it costs to charge an EV in the UK. The costs are based on an electric car with a 60kWh battery and 200-mile range.
| Type of charging | Cost |
|---|---|
| Home charging | £17 for a full charge |
| Workplace charging | Typically free |
| Public charging | £26 for a full charge |
| Rapid public charging | £19 for a full charge |
When deciding which electric car to buy, it’s also important to check that the range will meet the needs of your daily life. If you are only commuting short distances, doing the school run, or heading to the shops, you shouldn’t need to charge too regularly.
However, if you are regularly driving longer distances, you might find yourself charging more often.
Electric vehicle experts
Whether you are looking for your first electric car, or already own an EV and are looking for your next one, we can help.
Many of our dealerships across the country have Electric Vehicle Approved (EVA) accreditation. To achieve this, our expert staff have undergone specialist EV training and can help you with any questions you might have.
Book an appointment today to browse our wide range of new electric cars and discover the right EV for your needs.
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