Public Charging: How to Find and Use Charge Points

Words by Dylan Sykes | 5 min read

Published on 18 March 2026

One of the biggest questions for drivers considering an electric vehicle is where they can charge when they're away from home.

The good news is that the UK's public charging network has grown rapidly in recent years. In fact, official statistics from the department of transport has revealed that as of the 1st April 2025 there are 76,507 public electric vehicle charging devices installed in the UK compared to 2019 when there was around 20,000 charging devices.

From supermarket car parks to motorway service stations, public charge points have become a normal part of driving an electric vehicle.

Where can you find public charging points

Public chargers are designed to fit naturally into places where people already spend tie so you'll often find charging points in locations such as:

• Supermarkets and retail parks
• Public car parks in town and city centres
• Motorway service stations and major road networks
• On-street residential charging points
• Workplace car parks
• Leisure centres, hotels and restaurants

Most electric vehicle drivers quickly get used to charging while they occupy themselves with something else. Plugging in during a weekly shop or while grabbing a coffee on a longer journey can be enough to keep the battery topped up.

Using apps to find EV charging points

One of the easiest ways to find nearby chargers is through dedicated mobile apps. These apps show charging points on a live map, allowing you to see what's available nearby and whether a charger is currently in use. Some of the most popular UK apps are:

• Zap-Map
• Pod Point
• Octopus Electroverse
• Shell Recharge

Most apps allow drivers to filter by charger speed, location or network. Many also showing price information and user reviews which can be helpful when planning longer journeys. Over time, drivers tend to settle on one or two apps that they find most reliable for locating and paying for charging.

Understanding public charger costs

Public charging costs can vary depending on the type of charger and the network operating it. Slower chargers located in places like supermarkets or public car parks are often cheaper, while rapid chargers at motorway service stations tend to cost more due to the speed and convenience they offer.

Pricing is usually based on the amount of electricity used; measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) and some locations may also charge a small parking fee or connection fee.

To get the best value when using public chargers you should:

• Compare prices through charging apps before plugging in
• Use slower chargers when you have time to park for longer
• Save rapid charging for longer journeys when you need a quick top-up

Combining public charging with home charging

Public charging is incredibly useful when travelling or during longer journeys. However, many electric vehicle owners still prefer to do most of their charging at home. This is due to the conveniency of things and how it's much more cost-effective, especially when using off-peak electricity tariffs overnight.

If you're interested in learning more about that option, you can read our guide to Charging at Home: What You Need To Know. [LINK ARTICLE]

Summary

Public charging is definitely on the rise in the UK and is widely available in most towns and cities with charging points located in everyday places such as shops, car parks, workplaces and motorway service stations.

As well as there being more public charging stations, the accessibility through different mobile apps is also on the rise which can help you with finding nearby chargers as well as information on pricing.

As the charging network continues to grow, public charging is making electric vehicle ownership easier and more practical for drivers up and down the country.