Blue BMW i3 parked in electric vehicle parking bay attached to a charger on a UK high street shopping area

Making the switch to an electric car is a no-brainer when you have the option to install a home charger, with two-thirds of UK homeowners having a driveway or garage. This does not - however - address the needs of drivers who do not have a driveway because they live in a flat, or a house without one.

Charging is one of the most common concerns for would-be EV drivers, and the lack of home charging compounds this issue, as drivers have to seek out alternative solutions such as public charging, workplace charging, or rapid charging options. The good news is that there are increasing opportunities for those without private parking to charge their vehicles, with ongoing efforts to expand and improve access to charging stations across the country.

A chart from Zap Map showing Number of public charge points in the UK 2025 year-to-date. The number has risen from under 30k in 2021 to over 70k in 2025 year to date.

The UK’s public charging network has expanded to over 73,000 charge points by the end of 2024, marking a 35% growth in just one year. With nearly 1.3 million electric vehicles (EVs) now on UK roads and over half (51%) of EV drivers using public charging at least once a month, the question arises: Are there enough alternatives for those who can’t charge at home? The answer is yes! As EV technology continues to improve, with many vehicles now offering a range of over 300 miles whilst being capable of fast charging in around 30 minutes, drivers can charge less frequently and more quickly. This progress not only reduces delays at public chargers but also creates a more seamless experience for EV owners.

Public Charging Networks

Types of Public Chargers Available

Not all public chargers are created equal, and it is important to understand the output of your chosen charger before plugging in, as it will influence the cost of charging, and how long it will take. Luckily, a lot of EVs will give you that information in their infotainment systems, and there are apps available to plan around your charging needs.

Chargers are built to accommodate different use cases - with 7kW Slow Chargers in residential areas, 22kW Fast Chargers in public car parks and shopping centres, 50-150kW Rapid Chargers along major roads and motorways, and 350kW Ultra-Rapid Chargers popping up to future-proof UKs roads as EV charging speeds improve.

Find out more about the types of chargers available and how to make the most out of them in our guide on charging.

Major Networks and Coverage

Several major charging networks provide extensive coverage across the UK, ensuring that EV drivers have access to chargers in both urban and rural areas, with the top 8 networks being InstaVolt, Tesla Supercharger, BP Pulse, Osprey, Gridserve, MFG EV Power, Shell Recharge, and GeniePoint.

Since most drivers take regular routes throughout the week - the choice of charging provider will be influenced by charging speed, location, and cost when compared to competitors - this is very similar to picking out a petrol station - and using an app within your EV, or from a third-party can help in finding your local chargers, and seeing if they work, or are in use.

When going on a road trip, using a trip planning app or your EVs sat navwill improve your driving experience tremendously - however, the majority of the UK has good coverage - take a look for yourself!

Costs and Subscription Options

Charging costs can vary depending on the type of charger, network, and location.

Pay-as-you-go: Many networks offer pay-as-you-go options where drivers are charged by the kWh (kilowatt-hour) of electricity used. Rates can vary, with rapid chargers generally being more expensive than slower ones.
Subscription Plans: Several charging networks offer subscription options that provide lower charging rates in exchange for a monthly fee. These plans are ideal for regular users who rely on public charging stations.
The Charge Scheme: The Electric Car Scheme offers salary sacrifice charging - allowing you to save up to 50% when you charge your EV. Drivers can manage their salary sacrifice car payments and charging in one place, ultimately making EV ownership easier.

You can calculate your cost depending on your choice of charger.

For example: If you drive 150 miles a week and your car has 218 miles of range, your mileage will use around 70% of your battery capacity. Using the MG4 EV for this calculation, your costs may look like this:

Tips for Finding Reliable Public Chargers

To ensure a smooth charging experience, here are some useful tips for finding reliable public chargers:

Use Charging Apps: Apps like Zap-Map, PlugShare, and ChargePoint provide real-time data on charger locations, availability, and user reviews, helping you find reliable stations.
Check Charger Status: Before heading to a charger, check whether it is in service. Many apps and networks provide updates on the operational status of each charger.
Plan for Long Journeys: If you're travelling long distances, plan your route using apps or websites that show the availability of chargers along your journey. Many EVs have a route planner built in, alternatively - apps like ABRP can be customised to a specific car and journey.
Look for Popular Locations: Chargers in well-trafficked areas (such as shopping malls, petrol stations, and supermarkets) are more likely to be reliable, as they are regularly maintained.
Consider Charging Speed: Opt for fast or rapid chargers when in a time crunch, and use slower chargers for overnight or longer parking periods.

Other Charging Solutions: On-Street, Workplace, and Alternatives

Black Kia e-niro electric vehicle EV charging from a residential lamp post charger. Photo is showing the lamp post where the charger is plugged in with the car behind the lamp post

Charger Power Output (kW)	Slow (7kW)	Low Power (up to 22kW)	Medium Power (up to 60kW)
Electricity Cost - National Average	24.50 pence per kWh	24.50 pence per kWh	70 pence per kWh
Charging time	5.1h	1.6h	36min
Charging %	0-70%	0-70%	0-70%
Range Added	152.6 miles	152.6 miles	152.6 miles
kWh Added	34kWh	34kWh	34kWh
Approximate Cost to Charge	£8.70	£8.70	£25.03
Approximate Cost to Charge with The Charge Scheme	£4.35 - £6.95	£4.35 - £6.95	£12.52 - £20.02

On-Street Residential Solutions

There are a variety of solutions designed specifically for those who rely on on-street parking, such as council-led charging schemes, community initiatives, and other government support. This provides an alternative to large-scale public charging networks and is local, lower cost for drivers, and potentially more convenient.

Council-Led Charging Schemes
Many local councils across the UK are implementing schemes to make it easier for residents to charge their EVs on public streets. These schemes may involve installing dedicated charging points in residential areas where off-street parking is unavailable. Councils often consult with residents to determine the best locations for these chargers.

Check with your local council to find out what initiatives they have in place.

Lamp Post Charging Options
Some councils are also exploring the use of lamp posts as charging stations. Retrofitting street lights with charging points helps reduce the need for additional infrastructure and provides a space-saving, cost-effective way to charge your EV. Lamp post charging is ideal for areas with terraced housing - where there is less parking and pavement space.

Community Charging Initiatives
Community-driven charging solutions are emerging as another way to address the changing needs of people without driveways. In some areas, residents or local businesses may come together to fund and install shared chargers. In others, residents offer up their driveways as public charging locations when their car is not parked at home.

Government Grants and Support
To encourage the adoption of EVs, the UK government offers grants and financial support for home and public charging installations. The On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme provides funding to local councils to install charging points in residential areas, while the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme offers financial assistance for the installation of home chargers, which could be relevant for shared or communal spaces.

Workplace Charging

If you’re fortunate enough to have access to charging at your workplace, this can be a convenient way to keep your EV charged during the day. These chargers are often slower and rely on you being parked up for several hours - perfect for charging at the office.

Using a charger at your workplace means that you don’t need to rely on public chargers for your daily driving needs, and charging at work is often cheaper than using public chargers, especially if your employer covers the cost of the electricity.

How to Request Charging at Work
If your workplace doesn’t currently offer charging, it’s worth requesting it. Many employers are considering adding charging points as part of their sustainability efforts or employee benefits package. You can request your HR or facilities management team and ask about available options for funding or installation.

Salary Sacrifice Scheme Considerations
If your employer offers a salary sacrifice scheme for EVs, you may also be able to use this benefit to reduce the cost of charging. The Electric Car Scheme offers The Charge Scheme which allows drivers to save on all charging costs through salary sacrifice, making electric car charging cheaper for everyone - whether at home, the office, or in public.

Emergency Charging Options

Should the worst happen, and you run out of charge (which is increasingly uncommon), there are solutions in place to help you get moving again.

Portable chargers are a handy backup for emergency charging. These small devices can be plugged into any standard power outlet and can provide a small amount of charge when needed. While they aren't a replacement for full charging, portable chargers can give you enough juice to reach a proper charging station.

Alternatively, many breakdown services such as the AA now offer emergency EV charging as part of their package. Salary sacrifice car scheme providers such as The Electric Car Scheme offer breakdown coverage as standard.

Future Innovations in EV Charging

The future of EV charging holds exciting possibilities, with rapidly developing battery and charger technology.

Companies are developing ways to charge EVs without needing to plug them in, such as through inductive charging pads embedded in the ground. Wireless charging could completely remove the need to charge EVs as we know it.

Alternatively, battery swapping comes up from time to time - the idea being that drivers can swap their depleted battery for a fully charged one at designated stations. This could be especially useful for fleet vehicles or those on long journeys.

As battery technology improves, charging speeds are expected to increase even further - while EV range grows. This development is most likely in the short term - with cars like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 delivering a 10-80% charge in 17 minutes, with a range of up to 354 miles.

Practical Tips

Planning Your Charging Routine
Establishing a regular charging routine can help ensure that you never run out of battery. Consider using workplace charging during the day, and scheduling your charging time on a regular basis if it aligns with your shopping, gym, or other regular errands.

You can calculate your weekly range and use that to make informed decisions around charging.

For example: If you drive 150 miles a week and your car has 218 miles of range, you will need to recharge weekly. This mileage will use around 70% of your battery capacity. Using the MG4 EV for this calculation, your options look like this:

Type of Charger	Slow (7kW)	Fast (50kW)	Rapid (150kW)
Where to find it	Lamp post chargers, parking lots, workplace car parks	EV charging parks, parking lots, workplace car parks	Petrol stations, EV charging parks, lay-bys
Charging time	Around 5h 30min	Around 50min	Around 39min
Charging %	30-100	30-100	10-80

Therefore, if you have a charger on your street - Slow charging is likely the best option since your car will be parked overnight. Alternatively, a Fast charger is great when you run errands and are away from the vehicle for over an hour- with Rapid charging being most suitable for longer journeys.

Consider that you do not need to do all of your charging in one go - two 20-minute Rapid charging stops will give you the same range as one 40-minute one.

Managing Costs Effectively
To keep charging costs under control, take advantage of subscription plans offered by charging networks or look for discounts available at retail locations. Salary sacrifice car schemes may offer additional discounts on charging. The Electric Car Scheme offers salary sacrifice charging - allowing you to save up to 50% when you charge your EV. Drivers can manage their salary sacrifice car payments and charging in one place, ultimately making EV ownership easier.

Best Practices for Public Charging

Check Charger Status: Before you head to a public charger, confirm that it’s in service and available.
Be Courteous: If you’re charging at a public station, unplug as soon as your vehicle is fully charged to free up the spot for others.
Charge Efficiently: Opt for fast or rapid chargers only when you need to get back on the road quickly.

Common Myths and Concerns

Safety: Charging stations are generally safe to use, but it’s important to follow the guidelines. Always use certified chargers, inspect the station before use, and report any issues to the charging network provider. Chargers and EVs are designed to work under normal circumstances - which includes rain.

Reliability of Public Charging: While some drivers worry about the reliability of public charging stations, the charging network across the UK is rapidly expanding and improving. Most major networks provide real-time updates about charger availability, and issues are often addressed quickly.

Is It Worth Owning an EV Without a Home Charger?

Owning an electric vehicle without a home charger may seem challenging at first, but with the growing availability of public charging infrastructure, workplace options, and community-driven solutions, it’s becoming increasingly feasible.

The UK’s expanding network of chargers, along with innovations like lamp-post and council-led schemes, ensure that drivers without a driveway are not left behind. With a bit of planning, managing costs, and using the right apps to find reliable chargers, making the switch to an EV is more accessible than ever.

While charging might require some extra effort, the environmental and long-term savings benefits of EV ownership make it a worthwhile investment even without the convenience of a home charger.