Rapid Charging on Trips
Did you know that 99% of journeys are less than 100 miles? That means – in the vast majority of cases – there’s no need to stop and charge your all-electric car for daily driving.
But, if you go on a long trip, the distance you need to travel might be greater than your car’s maximum range on a single charge. Rapid chargers are the solution. Read on for advice about what they are, where they are, and how to use them.
What are rapid chargers?
A rapid charger is a type of electric vehicle charging point designed to charge your car’s battery as quickly as possible.
The charging boffins have invented two ways of describing them, as follows:
1. Rapid: chargers rated from 50 kW to 149 kW
2. Ultra-rapid: chargers rated 150 kW and above
You can’t have them put in at home, as your home’s electricity supply isn’t suitable. Instead they’re installed at various public locations.
Where can I find them?
Rapid and ultra-rapid chargers are generally found at convenient stopping points on your journey. For example, at motorway services and petrol stations.
There is also a growing number of large rapid charging 'hubs', dedicated 100% to electric vehicles and their charging needs.
Nearly all sat navs now show rapid charging stations on the map to help you find a charging spot easily.
Alternatively, you can use a smartphone app like Zap-Map to locate rapid chargers either before or during your trip.
Can all EVs rapid charge?
Nearly all fully electric cars (BEVs) are capable of being rapid charged. Practically all of them now use the 'CCS' rapid charging standard.
Some older cars used a different standard called 'CHAdeMO'. You may still see CHAdeMO plugs when you are out and about, but they are gradually disappearing. See the photos below showing what the different plugs and sockets look like.
Some plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) can be rapid charged, others can’t. Don’t worry if your PHEV can’t rapid charge – you have the combustion engine to fall back on when your battery runs out of charge.
CCS Plug
CCS Socket on vehicle
CHAdeMO Plug
CHAdeMO Socket on vehicle (yellow circle)
What's the difference between DC and AC rapid charging?
The CCS and CHAdeMO standards described above are both examples of 'DC' rapid charging. DC stands for 'Direct Current' and – because it bypasses the car's onboard charger – it's the most effective way of charging your car's battery quickly.
A small number of older electric vehicles, most notably the first-generation Renault Zoe, used 'AC' rapid charging (Alternating Current). No new EVs support it now, and the 43 kW AC plug is increasingly rare on public rapid-charging stations.
AC Plug
Rapid Charger with AC, CHAdeMO and CCS Plugs
How do I plug in?
You don’t need to bring a cable to plug into a rapid charger – they come with their own cables and plugs permanently attached.
If your car has a CCS socket, just grab the CCS plug from the charging station, and plug it in.
If your car has a CHAdeMO socket, plug in the CHAdeMO plug instead.
All new cars you can lease today have a CCS socket.
How do I get the charging to start?
Starting a rapid charge is far simpler than it used to be.
Since late 2024, UK law has required public rapid chargers (50 kW and above) to accept contactless payment, so on the vast majority of units you can now simply plug in, follow the on-screen prompts, tap your bank card or phone, and charging will begin. No account or app needed.
The maximum price per kWh must also be shown before you start, so there are no nasty surprises.
You may still prefer to use a network's app, though. Apps often unlock cheaper tariffs or subscription rates, let you check whether a charger is free and working before you set off, and can store your details for one-tap charging across multiple sites.
How much does it cost to charge and how do I pay?
Rapid charging costs vary a lot between networks, and rates have climbed over the past few years.
As of early 2026, public rapid and ultra-rapid chargers (50 kW and above) average around 76-79p per kWh on a pay-as-you-go basis, with the major networks ranging from roughly 62p up to about 92p per kWh.
By way of contrast, home charging can drop to as little as 7-9p per kWh on an off-peak EV tariff.
You can often bring rapid rates down by registering or subscribing to a network or group of networks.
The common payment methods are:
- Pay-as-you-go (contactless or app) – very convenient, but usually a little pricier
- Monthly subscription to a single network – cheaper than pay-as-you-go if you rapid charge regularly (you'll start a session using the network's app or an RFID card)
- Multi-network roaming card or app – one account that unlocks chargers across many providers, e.g. Octopus Electroverse or Zap-Pay
Questions?
Phone our dedicated EV team now on
0118 3048 688
or email us at
enquiries@selectcarleasing.co.uk
