A London Driver's Guide to Electric Car Charging
Electric car charging in London falls into three main categories: charging at home, using public on-street chargers, or using high-speed rapid chargers at hubs and service stations. Home charging is the cheapest, especially with an off-peak electricity tariff.
Public charging offers convenience across the city, while rapid chargers provide the fastest top-ups for long journeys.
Key facts
How much does electric car charging cost in London?
The cost of electric car charging varies significantly depending on where and how fast you charge. Charging at home is the most economical method.
On a standard domestic tariff, you might pay around 30p per kilowatt-hour (kWh). 5p/kWh, making a full charge for a typical family EV cost under £6.
Public charging is more expensive. Slower 7-22kW AC chargers, often found in supermarket car parks or on residential streets, typically cost between 45p and 70p per kWh.
The fastest option, DC rapid charging (50kW+), is also the priciest, ranging from 75p to 85p per kWh.
For a 64kWh battery, an 80% charge could cost over £40 at a rapid hub versus £4 at home overnight.
| Charger Type | Typical Power | Cost per kWh (London) | Time to add 100 miles | Typical Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Pin Plug | 2.3kW | ~30p (Standard rate) | 12-14 hours | Home (Emergency use) |
| Home Wallbox | 7.4kW | 7.5p-10p (Off-peak) | 4-5 hours | Driveway or dedicated bay |
| Public AC Charger | 7-22kW | 45p-70p | 2-5 hours | Kerbside, car parks |
| Public Rapid DC | 50-350kW | 75p-85p | 10-20 minutes | Motorway services, EV hubs |
Warning: Some public charging networks add a connection fee or require a minimum spend, which can increase the overall cost of a short top-up.
What are the different types of EV chargers?
EV chargers are categorised by their power output, which dictates charging speed. 3kW.
This is fine for occasional or emergency use but can take over 24 hours for a full charge. It should not be a primary charging method due to the sustained load on domestic wiring.
The most common setup for homes is a dedicated wallbox. 4kW (single-phase) or, less commonly in homes, 11-22kW (three-phase).
4kW charger is the sweet spot for overnight charging, typically adding around 30 miles of range per hour.
This is sufficient to replenish a full battery overnight for almost any EV on the market.
Public chargers are either AC (alternating current) or DC (direct current). Public AC chargers are essentially more powerful versions of a home wallbox, offering speeds from 7kW up to 22kW.
They are ideal for topping up while parked for a few hours.
DC rapid chargers are the fastest, converting power before it enters the car. These start at 50kW and go up to 350kW, capable of adding hundreds of miles of range in under 30 minutes.
They are designed for quick turnarounds on long journeys.
Can I get a home charger if I live in a flat or have no driveway?
This is a major challenge for many London drivers. If you live in a flat or a terraced house with on-street parking only, installing a private charger is difficult but not impossible.
The primary rule is you cannot run a cable across a public pavement, as it creates a trip hazard and may violate council bylaws.
Some solutions are emerging. You can request that your local council install on-street residential chargers.
Many London boroughs are participating in schemes to install chargers in lamp posts or as dedicated kerbside units for residents with permits.
The process can be slow, but it's worth investigating on your council's website. If you own a parking space in a shared car park (common with flats), you may be able to get a charger installed.
This requires permission from the freeholder or property management company.
For a deep dive into the process, see our home EV charger installation guide for London.
If these are not options, your charging routine will rely on the public network. This involves using chargers at work, supermarkets, or dedicated charging hubs.
This approach requires more planning than simply plugging in at home each night.
How do I find and use public electric car charging points?
Finding and using public chargers in London requires a smartphone and a bit of planning. The landscape is fragmented, with dozens of different network operators.
The easiest way to navigate this is with a charging aggregator app.
These apps show a map of most available charge points from various networks, often with live data on whether they are in use or out of order.
Payment methods vary. Many new rapid chargers now offer simple contactless bank card payment.
However, older units and many AC chargers still require you to use a network-specific app or an RFID card. It is wise to sign up for accounts with the main networks operating in your area to avoid being caught out.
You can often find this information within the aggregator apps.
Be mindful of parking restrictions. EV bays are often subject to time limits and charges, even while you are plugged in.
Overstaying can result in a fine. When charging within the city centre, remember that standard Congestion Charge and ULEZ rules still apply.
Accessing a charger within the zone during operating hours means you must pay the relevant charge.
What are the common pitfalls of EV charging in London?
While the charging infrastructure is improving, London drivers face several common frustrations. The most frequent issue is arriving at a charger to find it is out of service.
Always use an app with live status data to check a charger's availability before you travel to it.
Another problem is 'ICE-ing'—where a petrol or diesel car parks in a dedicated EV charging bay, blocking access. Similarly, you might find another EV has finished charging but remains parked in the bay.
Good etiquette is to move your vehicle as soon as it has enough charge.
Tip: During winter, your EV's battery will be less efficient, reducing your real-world range by 10-30%. It will also charge more slowly, especially on a DC rapid charger, as the battery management system limits the speed to protect the cold cells.
Factor this into your journey planning during colder months.
Finally, queues can form at busy rapid charging hubs, particularly during peak travel times like bank holiday weekends. If you are relying on a rapid charge for a long journey, try to schedule your stop for a less busy time or have a backup charger location in mind.
The Best Time to Clean Your EV? While It's Charging
An electric car spends long, predictable periods stationary while it charges. A full charge on a 7kW home or kerbside unit can take anywhere from seven to twelve hours.
This predictable downtime is the perfect window of opportunity for essential car care.
Instead of dedicating a separate part of your weekend to car cleaning, you can schedule a mobile valet to attend to your vehicle while it is plugged in. The valet arrives at your location—whether that is your home, your workplace, or a long-stay car park—and performs a full service while the battery tops up.
The car remains locked and secure, and you don't have to move it. This is a highly efficient way to manage your time, combining two necessary tasks into one slot.
Valets working across all 32 London boroughs are accustomed to the city's unique parking situations. They can work efficiently whether your car is on a driveway, in a designated residential bay, or an underground car park.
By the time your car is fully charged, it is also professionally cleaned, inside and out.
You can have the car cleaned while it charges and reclaim your weekend.
Valetly is a London mobile valeting marketplace (company number 17255496) connecting vetted, insured independent valets with drivers across all areas we cover in 32 London boroughs, with fixed prices from £75.
