How do you pay for electric car charging on the public network?

Electric car charging points are becoming more and more popular at car parks, supermarkets and service stations across the UK. If you’re heading out for the day, you no longer need to worry about getting stuck without power – but you’ll need to know how to pay to use the public network.

Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about charging on the go, including fees, network providers and where to charge your car.

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Are there electric car charging points on the go?

As of January 2025, there were a reported 74,000 public charging points in the UK – and that number will only grow as more people make the switch.

You can find these public charging points at supermarkets, shopping centres, car parks, hotels, service stations and even some local authority buildings.

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How do public charging points work?

If you need to charge your car on the go, simply locate your closest charging point, park up and plug in your vehicle.

Energy charging points are typically owned by big network providers like Osprey, BP Pulse or MFG. Some networks may require you to become a member before you charge up, whereas others are open to everyone, so it’s worth doing a bit of research before you travel.

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Can I charge my EV at any charging point?

Unfortunately, you can’t just use any charging point. Before charging, you’ll need to know which type of AC and DC plugs your car can connect to.

There are a few different charging speeds for electric vehicles: slow (3 to 6kW), fast (7 to 49kW), rapid (50 to 149kW) and ultra-rapid (150kW). Your car will have a maximum charging speed – and not all cars can access rapid or ultra-rapid charging.

Some chargers may also require you to provide your own Type 2 cable to connect to the charging port, whereas others will have multiple cables available for use. While some cars may be able to use any charging point, look into exactly what you need to ensure your vehicle is compatible.

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How do you pay at electric car charging points?

So, exactly how do you pay for electric car charging on the public network? Here are some of the best options.

Contactless

At some public charging points, you can simply tap your bank card to top up your battery. Network providers like Osprey will automatically charge your account once you’ve finished.

You’ll only pay for the energy you use, but some providers may take a small pre-authorisation charge before you get started.

EV apps

You can also use an EV mobile app to pay for charging your electric car, including a digital wallet for contactless payments on the go. Some apps provide access to multiple different public charging networks, meaning you can easily top up your car while you’re out and about.

The EV Infinity app is an easy way to pay for electricity at MFG or Osprey charging stations across the UK. Add your credit or debit card to the app for seamless payments at all charge points.

You can even use the app to locate public network chargers or get directions to your closest station with just the touch of a button. Simple!

RFID cards

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) cards are a popular choice for energy top-ups on the public network. These prepaid cards are typically issued by national or regional network providers – and they’ll give you full access to any charge points owned by that network.

Subscriptions

You can pay a monthly or annual subscription fee to your chosen network provider. This will give you automatic access to any available charging points.

A subscription often works out cheaper than paying per top-up, but it may only be cost-effective if you regularly use public EV charging stations.

Some apps or network providers offer special discounts for signing up, so keep an eye out for the best deals!

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How much do electric car charging points cost?

The cost of public EV charging points will depend on your network provider, payment type and charging speed.

For example, Osprey charges roughly 79p per kWh for EV charging, whereas BP Pulse charges a £7.85 monthly subscription fee. Members can access rapid EV charging for up to 63p per kWh.

Some electric car charging points are free, such as Zero Carbon World. Use an app like EV Infinity to locate these free public network chargers when you’re on the road.

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Paying on the public network - everything you need to know

It’s easy to charge your electric car outside the house, with quick pay-as-you-go contactless payments. However, you’ll need to double-check that your car can connect to public charging points. Some providers may also require a membership for your energy top-up.

To locate your next local public charging point, download EV Infinity today and experience effortless EV charging.