Your questions answered

Electric car charging points near me: UK map and network guide

Use our simple guide to find your nearest electric-car charging points for topping up electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles while out and about

UK sales of electric and plug-in hybrid cars have really taken off in recent years, with a corresponding increase in the number of public charging points being installed to service them. Charging technology is advancing fast, too, meaning new chargers are needed to top up the latest models as fast as possible.

Zap-Map

While many electric-car owners will primarily top up at home (which is generally the cheapest option), it's useful to be able to find charging points when you're out and about – or on a longer journey beyond your car's maximum range on a single charge.

Google Maps

Thankfully, this is very easily done – there are several online mapping services that can take your current location and show you any and all charging points in the area. Three of the most well known are Google Maps (google.com/maps), Zap-Map (zap-map.com) and Open Charge Map (openchargemap.org).

OCM

The latter two let you filter results by connection type, network operator and even the charging speeds available. Once you click on an individual charger you’ll find all this information – as well as whether it’s operational – and the contact details for the network or operator.

Richard is editor of DrivingElectric, as well as sister site Carbuyer.co.uk, and a regular contributor to Auto Express. An electric and hybrid car advocate, he spent more than five years working on the news and reviews desk at Auto Express and has driven almost every new car currently on sale.

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