Free EV Charging in the UK
Every way to charge your EV for free
Free public EV charging still exists in the UK if you know where to look. From supermarket car parks to the entire Scottish public network, here is a comprehensive guide to every free charging option available.
Tesco — Free Pod Point Chargers
Tesco offers free 7kW EV charging at hundreds of stores across the UK via Pod Point chargers. You need the Pod Point app to start a session, but there is no cost. A typical 1-hour shop adds 20-30 miles of range. There are no time limits, though busy locations may ask you to move once charged. This is one of the most accessible free charging options — simply plug in while you do your weekly shop.
Lidl — Free Pod Point Chargers
Like Tesco, many Lidl stores offer free 7kW Pod Point chargers. The same rules apply — download the Pod Point app, find a bay, plug in, and charge while you shop. Lidl stores are typically quicker visits than Tesco, but even 30 minutes of free charging adds 10-15 miles of range.
ChargePlace Scotland — 90% Free
ChargePlace Scotland is the best free charging deal in the UK. Approximately 90% of their 4,000+ chargers across Scotland are free. You need a ChargePlace Scotland RFID card (£12 one-off cost) and then charging is free at the vast majority of locations. This covers slow (7kW), fast (22kW), and even some rapid (50kW) chargers. If you live in Scotland or visit regularly, this card is essential.
Destination Chargers
Many hotels, shopping centres, leisure centres, and tourist attractions offer free or included EV charging for their visitors. This is destination charging — the venue provides charging as a perk to attract customers. Chains like Premier Inn, Holiday Inn, and various National Trust properties increasingly offer chargers. Check Zapmap or Electroverse to find free destination chargers near your planned stops.
Workplace Charging
An increasing number of employers provide free EV charging in staff car parks. Under HMRC rules, employer-provided charging is a tax-free benefit, making it attractive for both employers and employees. If your workplace has chargers, this could provide most of your daily charging for free.
Tips for Maximising Free Charging
- Plan your shopping around free chargers — Choose Tesco or Lidl with Pod Points for your weekly shop.
- Get the ChargePlace Scotland card — Even if you only visit Scotland occasionally, £12 for near-unlimited free charging is extraordinary value.
- Check Zapmap for free chargers — Filter by "free" in the Zapmap app to find free chargers along your route.
- Be courteous — Do not hog free chargers if your car is full. Move your car when charging is complete so others can use the bay.
- Combine free charging with errands — A 7kW free charger adds about 30 miles per hour. A 2-hour gym session or shopping trip can add 60 miles for free.
Key Takeaway
Free EV charging is available at Tesco, Lidl (via Pod Point), across most of Scotland (ChargePlace Scotland), and at many destination venues. With a bit of planning, you can significantly reduce or even eliminate your public charging costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. At Tesco Pod Points, Lidl Pod Points, and most ChargePlace Scotland chargers, there is genuinely no cost to charge. The venue or government absorbs the electricity cost.
Some free options are slowly reducing — a few ChargePlace Scotland locations have introduced charges. But Tesco and Lidl show no signs of stopping free charging, as it drives customers into their stores.
If you live in Scotland with a ChargePlace Scotland card and shop at Tesco/Lidl, it is genuinely possible to charge for free 90%+ of the time. Elsewhere in the UK, free charging is best used as a supplement to home or paid public charging.