Where to Charge Your EV for Free Across the UK

To Attract Customers

Free EV charging is a real customer incentive. If a driver can add 50 or 100 miles of range while shopping, they’re more likely to choose that store over a competitor without charging facilities.

For businesses, the cost of the electricity is often outweighed by the additional spending generated by customers staying longer.

To Encourage Longer Visits

A retail park or hotel benefits when visitors spend more time on site. Having free EV charging gives drivers a reason to stay for an extra hour even overnight while their vehicle charges, which leads to more spending.

As an Employee Benefit

Some employers now provide workplace charging as part of their sustainability initiatives and staff benefits packages.

For employees who commute by electric vehicle, free charging at work can significantly reduce running costs and make EV ownership even more affordable. So it’s a way for employers to attract the best talent.

Is Free EV Charging Becoming Less Common?

Unfortunately, yes. While free charging is still available, it isn’t as widespread as it once was.

A few years ago, many businesses installed charging points as a promotional tool, and provided electricity at no cost. As EV adoption has grown and electricity prices have increased, many operators have introduced charging fees to help cover running and maintenance costs.

This means that a charger that was free last year may now require payment, and charging policies can vary significantly from one location to another.

Shopping Centres and Retail Parks

Many shopping centres and retail parks provide EV charging to encourage visitors to stay longer and spend more time in the shops.

Some locations offer free charging for paying customers, while others provide complimentary charging for a limited period before fees apply.

Free charging is most commonly found at destination-style retail parks where drivers are likely to spend several hours browsing shops and restaurants. That also means they’re usually a little further away from major cities and hubs.

Hotels and Accommodation

If you’re travelling away from home, your accommodation can be one of the easiest places to find free EV charging.

Many hotels have installed EV chargers to attract electric vehicle owners, with some offering complimentary charging for guests as part of their stay.

If you’re planning a trip, it’s always worth seeing if you can find accommodation with free charging included to offset some of the travel costs.

Restaurants, Pubs and Visitor Attractions

Some restaurants, pubs, garden centres and attractions have also installed charging points to attract EV-driving customers and encourage longer stays:

• Garden centres
• Country pubs
• Museums and heritage sites
• Family attractions
• Tourist destinations
• Farm shops and cafés

Again, if you’re planning a day out, it’s worth checking whether your destination has EV charging facilities before you leave. A little planning helps avoid a separate charging stop later in the journey.

Car Dealerships

Car dealerships aren’t usually the first place drivers think of when searching for free EV charging, but they can occasionally be a useful option.

Some manufacturers and dealerships provide charging facilities for customers, particularly those who own vehicles from their brand.

Policies vary widely, and many charging points are intended primarily for customers visiting the dealership rather than members of the general public.

That said, dealership chargers can sometimes provide a useful backup option if you’re nearby and need a quick top-up.

PlugShare

PlugShare combines charging location data with community-generated reviews and feedback.

This can be particularly useful when you’re searching for free EV charging because drivers share details that don’t appear in official listings, such as:

• Whether charging is still free
• Access restrictions
• Time limits
• Parking requirements
• Reliability issues

A quick glance at recent reviews will save a wasted journey.

Octopus Electroverse

Electroverse is primarily known for helping drivers access multiple charging networks through a single app and payment system.

However, we like this tool for discovering nearby charging options and planning longer journeys.

If you’re already using public charging networks regularly, Electroverse can help you compare available chargers and identify the most convenient charging stops along your route.

Network and Venue Websites

The most accurate information comes directly from the source. So, if you’re visiting a supermarket, hotel, shopping centre or attraction specifically because it offers EV charging, check the venue’s website before setting off.

That way, you can be certain whether charging is available and it remains free before you show up and are disappointed.

If you can charge your EV for free, why would you pay? It seems like a no-brainer.

But as with most things, the reality is a little more nuanced. While free EV charging can help reduce running costs, it isn’t always the cheapest or most convenient option once you consider the bigger picture.

The Hidden Cost of “Free” Charging

Electricity may be free, but your time isn’t. If you’re driving several miles out of your way to find free electric car charging, sitting around waiting for a slower 7kW charger to finish is a cost in itself.

Imagine you drive 15 minutes each way to reach a free charger and spend an hour waiting while your vehicle charges.

You may save a few pounds on electricity, but you’ve spent over an hour of your day to achieve it. It’s up to you to decide if that time spent is worth the price.

When Free EV Charging Makes Sense

Free electric car charging delivers the greatest value when it fits naturally into your day:

• Charging while shopping at a supermarket
• Charging overnight at a hotel
• Charging during the working day
• Charging while at a restaurant
• Charging during a long appointment

If your vehicle is sitting parked anyway, the charging becomes a useful bonus rather than something you need to actively plan around.

When Home Charging Is Better

You can’t beat the convenience of getting a home EV charger installed:

• Charge overnight while you sleep
• Take advantage of cheaper off-peak electricity tariffs
• Avoid queues and waiting times
• Start each day with a full battery
• Charge whenever it’s convenient

The electricity won’t be free, but many of our clients find that the convenience of 11kW home charging far outweighs the savings offered by occasional free charging opportunities.

The Smartest Approach

Rather than relying entirely on free EV charging, aim for a combination of charging options.

You can’t beat the convenience of home charging. But free charging opportunities do reduce overall running costs when they happen to fit into your daily routine.

Think of free charging as a bonus rather than a primary charging strategy.

Want to explore your home EV charging options? We’re here to answer your questions! Get in touch for a free consultation today.

The exact savings will depend on how often you can access free charging and how many miles you drive.

That said, even occasional top-ups can make a noticeable difference over the course of a year. Let’s run through a couple of examples to see the savings.

Example 1: The Occasional Driver

Let’s say you drive around 8,000 miles per year.

Assuming your EV averages around 3.5 miles per kWh, you’ll use approximately 2,285kWh of electricity annually.

At a typical home electricity rate of 25p per kWh, that works out to around £571 per year in charging costs.

If you manage to get 25% of your charging through free EV charging points, you could save around £143 per year.

Example 2: The Average UK Driver

Now let’s look at a driver covering 12,000 miles per year.

At the same efficiency level, annual electricity usage would be approximately 3,430kWh.

Charging entirely at home could cost around £857 per year.

If 25% of that charging came from free electric car charging locations, the potential saving would be £214 per year.

Example 3: The High-Mileage Driver

For drivers covering 20,000 miles annually, the numbers become more significant. Electricity consumption would be approximately 5,715kWh per year.

At 25p per kWh, charging costs could total around £1,429 per year.

If 25% of charging came from free charging points, annual savings could reach £357 per year.

Savings Comparison

Figures are illustrative and based on a vehicle achieving approximately 3.5 miles per kWh and electricity costs of 25p per kWh. Actual savings will vary.

Can You Charge an EV Entirely for Free?

Technically, yes. If you have regular access to free workplace charging or you’re lucky enough to live right by a free charging station, you could charge your EV without paying for electricity at all.

However, for most drivers, relying entirely on free charging isn’t practical.

Free charging locations aren’t always available when you need them, and many have restrictions on usage. So even if you could get to one regularly, it’s unlikely you’d be able to fully charge your car as often as you’d need to.

Free EV charging is still available across the UK, but finding one is half of the battle. As charging networks continue to evolve, free charging is becoming less common than it once was.

The best approach is to look for free charging opportunities at places you’re already visiting rather than making special trips purely to save on electricity. Charging while you shop or work allows you to take advantage of free electric car charging without sacrificing convenience.

We always tell our clients that free electric car charging works best as part of a wider charging strategy. Combining occasional free charging with a reliable home charging setup gives you the flexibility to keep costs down while ensuring your vehicle is always ready to go when you need it.

If you’re considering a home EV charger, our friendly team at Pro EV can help you find the best charging solution today.