Free Electric Car Charging
They say there’s no such thing as a free lunch – and when it comes to charging an electric car, that’s now closer to the truth than it once was. Not so long ago, free charging was a common perk at supermarkets and car parks. Today, it’s very much the exception rather than the rule.
That doesn’t mean free charging has disappeared completely. This short guide explains how common free charging really is, where you’re most likely to find it, and how to track it down.
How common is free charging now?
Free charging was never likely to last forever. As more drivers have made the switch to electric, the cost of giving away electricity has become harder for businesses to justify, and the vast majority have moved to pay-as-you-go pricing.
The numbers tell the story. According to Zapmap data, only around 1,800 of the UK's 80,000-plus public charge points are now free to use – roughly 2% of the network – and most of those are slower units.
So free charging is still out there, but it’s best treated as an occasional bonus rather than something to build your routine around.
Where can you still find it?
Where free charging does survive, it tends to be at businesses keen to attract visitors and keep them on site for longer. A handful of location types are worth checking, and we’ve covered the main ones below.
- Top tip: don’t forget to take your charging cable with you. Most of these slower chargers don’t have a cable attached, so you’ll need to bring your own.
Supermarkets
Supermarkets were once the natural home of free EV charging, but most have now switched to paid models. Tesco moved to paid charging back in 2022, and Lidl has followed suit, with its chargers now accessed through the Lidl Plus app rather than offered free.
A little free charging does survive at selected stores. Some Aldi and Sainsbury’s sites still offer free use of their slower 7.4 kW chargers, although this is increasingly limited and often comes with a parking time restriction. Sainsbury’s faster Smart Charge units, by contrast, are firmly pay-as-you-go.
The golden rule is to read the signs in the charging bay before you plug in. Paid charging is now the norm – generally between 40p and 85p per kWh depending on the speed and network – and the rapid and ultra-rapid units almost always come at a cost.
Car parks
Some public and retail car parks still offer free charging. You’ll occasionally come across it in council-run car parks, and at retail parks surrounded by shops, cafés, and restaurants.
The logic is the same as it’s always been. Councils install chargers partly to cut emissions in town and city centres, while retail-park owners hope a free top-up will keep you shopping for longer.
As with supermarkets, though, free bays are growing scarcer, so check the signage before assuming there’s no fee.
Accommodation
Heading away for a weekend break, or travelling for work?
Plenty of hotels, B&Bs, self-catering lets, and campsites now provide EV charging for guests, and a fair number still include it free of charge.
Bear in mind that some offer only a slow three-pin or dedicated 3.7 kW connection, so your battery may not be full by morning. Even so, you’ll wake up with useful extra range, and often at no cost.
It’s always worth checking when you book, as more venues are starting to add charging to the bill.
Leisure and eating
Leisure and hospitality venues are another reasonable bet.
Gyms, visitor attractions, zoos, and National Trust properties have all been adding chargers, and some still offer them free to customers.
The same goes for parts of the food and drink sector, where the odd café or restaurant will let you top up while you eat.
None of this is guaranteed, of course. The bay may be occupied, the charger may be out of order, or what was free last year may now carry a fee.
It’s best to think of free charging as the icing on the cake: lease an EV and you’re already enjoying low running costs, so any free miles are simply a bonus.
Finding free chargers near you
The simplest way to find free charging is the Zapmap app, which covers charge points right across the UK.
Once it’s installed, you can filter specifically for ‘Free to use’ chargers, so you’re not left relying on guesswork.
The app is free to download, with an optional Premium tier that unlocks extra features for a fee.
Questions?
Phone our dedicated EV team now on
0118 3048 688
or email us at
enquiries@selectcarleasing.co.uk
