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Zapmap makes electric vehicle charging simple.

We are the UK’s leading app and digital platform for EV drivers to search for charge points, plan longer journeys, pay on participating networks and share updates with other EV drivers.

Zapmap lets you search for charge points viewing live status data, plan journeys using Route Planner, pay for charging using Zap-Pay, share updates with other EV drivers and drive smarter with in-car support. See all the different features in our comparison table.

With 95%+ of public charge points mapped and around 75% of charge points showing live status data in the UK, Zapmap provides EV drivers with peace of mind and the confidence to drive any length of journey in their EV.

We are also now launching in mainland Europe and will start by displaying the higher powered chargers in France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg before adding more chargers over the coming months.

Live data is information that is obtained directly from the charge point data. Updated every five minutes, users can see if a charge point is available, in use or unavailable.

Networks with live data on Zapmap have their brand logo in the network filters list. For more info about our dynamic partners, go to our public charging network guides and look out for the live data symbol.

To filter charge points is easy! On the Map page, tap the Filters icon, then tap any filter options you want and then ‘Apply’ to filter using the filters you have selected.

There are many ways to filter the charge point data, including by EV model, connector, charge point power, network, location type, payment and access. In addition there are some enhanced filters available with Zapmap Premium such as price.

Additional enhanced filters are unlocked by subscribing to Zapmap Premium. With a subscription you can filter by new charge points added in the last 30 days, locations with multiple charge points, the location user rating and more detailed location types.

For those not on a subscription, the enhanced filters will have a padlock showing beside them.

Yes, you can! To save a filter (or combination of filters) you must be registered with Zapmap and signed into your account.

Apply the filters you would like, then press ‘Save’ in the top right of the screen. Give your filter a name and press ‘OK’. Your custom filter will now appear in your filters menu.

To delete a saved filter, swipe the filter to the left and ‘Delete’ will appear, click this and then ‘Delete’ when prompted again. You can also press & hold over the name and ‘Delete’ will appear, with a second prompt asking you to press ‘Delete’ again.

With a Zapmap account, you can save one filter. In order to save more you need to subscribe to Zapmap Premium.

With the Premium plan, you can save  an unlimited number of filters.

To filter the chargers on the map to show only those which are currently reported as available, tap the green tick button at the right-hand side of the map screen. You can then tap the button again to disable this filter and display all chargers whether they are available or not.

The colour inside the charge point markers illustrates the power rating of the charge point.

• Light yellow = Slow (below 8kW)
• Golden yellow = Fast (from 8kW to less than 50kW)
• Pink = Rapid (from 50kW to less than 150kW)
• Purple = Ultra-rapid (150kW and above)
• Grey = Unknown speed

The circle alongside the marker indicates the status of the charge point.

• Green = Some, or all chargers available
• Blue = Charging
• Red = Out of service
• Grey = Status unknown

A full key to the symbols used in the app is available by tapping the "information" icon on the right hand side of the map screen.

To remove any filters you have applied, tap the Filter icon on the map page, and tap ‘Clear’ then ‘Apply’.

To mark a charge point as a favourite on Zapmap, find the charge point on the map and tap it. Next scroll if needed and select "Add favourite" from the carousel buttons at the bottom of the screen and tap to select it.

To see only your favourites, tap the heart (on IOS) or bookmark icon (on Android) in the bottom right-hand corner of the map.

To include taxi-only charge-points on the map, tap the Filters icon in the top corner of the screen, tap into the "Access" menu, tap to select the "Show Taxi Only" option, then tap the orange "Apply" button to return to the map. Charge-points which are available only to taxis will now be shown alongside public charge-points.

The main way to provide updates is to “Check-in” using the button on the charge point location. Then you can update the status of a charge point, add photos, share useful info or provide a general update.

You can also inform Zapmap about new charge points or share your home or work charge point. More generally, you can ask questions or interact with other users with the Cafe function in Chat.

To change the status of a connector, select ‘Check-in’ and choose the changes you would like to make to the connector. You can also leave an optional message or choose to apply to the whole device then press ‘Post’ to confirm.

To indicate a successful charge at a location, select the green ‘thumbs up’ button, select the connector you used, and press ‘Done’. You then have the option to leave a message or add a photo. Press ‘Post’ to submit your change. All posts will be immediately visible across Zapmap platforms.

If you find a public charge point that’s not on our map, we’d love to know about it (but only if it’s related to a charging network that is not one of our existing live data partners - see below).

To request an existing charge point is added to Zapmap please go to the app, make sure you are logged in then go to the ‘Settings’ menu on iOS or the hamburger symbol (three horizontal lines) on Android. There, under the ‘Add a charge point’ heading you'll find an option to add a public charge point. To do so, click into ‘Add public charge point’ and follow the form’s instructions, then click ‘Submit details’.

Please note that Zapmap has direct ‘live data’ feeds from most of the leading charging networks in the UK, which allows us to show live availability status on around 75% of chargers. This means that we rely on the data we are supplied by the networks in these instances, and that we don’t act on user suggestions related to live data partners - so please don’t tell us about charge points for these networks. You can easily tell if a charging provider is a live data partner as there’ll be network availability information for the specific charge point in the app, and in the ‘Networks’ filter on the app live data partners are at the top of the list and have a logo next to their name. For a full explanation and instructions please visit our 'How to request a charge point' web page. Our app does not currently accept public charge point requests outside of the UK.

Absolutely, in the ‘Chat’ menu option in the bottom bar there are 2 tabs – ‘Cafe’ and ‘All’.

The Cafe is where to post any questions you have about the EV world, with ‘All’ showing all charge point updates and Cafe messages.

To upload a picture to a charge point, click on the charge point and slide up the InfoBox. Any pictures uploaded will show at the top. Click into the picture (or click ‘Be first to add a photo!’ if there aren’t any pictures) and click the ‘+’ sign in the top right corner.

Follow the instructions to add from either your camera or from your gallery, with the ability to also add in any comments to the photo. Once selected, click ‘Post’ and your picture will be posted. Please be aware that your picture should be a maximum of 2 Mb.

Our live data partners are sent the user status updates and comments posted on Zapmap and have the facility to respond or post updates to the comment within the chat.

Any networks that don’t show as ‘live’ do not get this information, so we recommend contacting the charge point network directly to let them know a specific issue has happened.

Any other questions, please email our support team.

The Route Planner allows electric vehicle (EV) drivers in the UK to plan a route in their electric car based on journey parameters, EV models and driver options. There are three different routing modes: Autoroute, Suggest chargers and Show all chargers. Routes can be saved and retrieved within the mobile app or in-car system.

The Route Planner is available to use in the UK and the Republic of Ireland only currently. For charge points abroad we are starting off with our core mapping functionality first before branching out to offer additional features. If you haven't already signed up to our newsletter this is a great way to be notified about the latest Zapmap updates and features, as well as EV news: https://www.zap-map.com/newsletter/.

To plan a route using Route Planner (which is available in the UK), tap into ‘Routes’ in the bottom menu of the app. If you’re not already logged in, it will prompt you to do so:
Step 1: Enter your route, including your start point and destination plus any waypoints.
Step 2: Confirm your route and the system will display the route, distance, time, average speed and estimated energy used.
Step 3: Pick from three different routing modes and choose your other settings within the ‘More options’ button.
Step 4: Add your charge stop(s) if you had selected either ‘Show all chargers’ or ‘Suggest chargers’ on the previous step, otherwise the new autoroute mode skips this step.
Step 5: Review and save your route, naming it if you wish.
Step 6: Retrieve your route plan, either from the Routes page or on CarPlay (if subscribed to the Premium plan), with the option to view, edit or navigate along your electric journey.

Autoroute is the brand new routing mode. Based on EV model, journey parameters and driver options, it creates a complete route with charge points pre-selected en-route. All you have to do is click ‘Save’.

‘Show all chargers’, when selected, lets you see all of the chargers along the suggested route.

‘Suggest chargers’ shows a suggested cluster of chargers along your route.

As routes are calculated using an EV model’s range, it is required to enter your vehicle to use the route planner. If you haven’t already added an EV model to your Zapmap profile, you will need to specify one in the route plan options. Once this has been added or updated, it will be saved to your Zapmap profile.

To add an EV model at this step, tap on ‘Add vehicle’ and go through picking the make and model, then tap ‘Save’, then ‘Close’ and your EV will appear.

If you find your EV model is not showing in the app please email our support team.In the meantime you can still use the Route Planner by adding an EV model with the same connector options and a similar range.

Your route plans will be saved under ‘Routes’. Once saved, they can be opened and viewed as a list or on the map.

To edit your saved route, select the route you want to edit and click ‘Edit’ to go back to Step 4 and edit the charger selections. If you need to go back further, tap the back button to choose a different route, edit driver options, and add waypoints.

As a standard registered user you can save three route plans. With Zapmap Premium you can save unlimited routes. Perfect for people who travel a lot!

Routes can be deleted in the app by tapping the trashcan symbol or by swiping left on a route plan. On the desktop, click on ‘Delete’.

After defining your route and options, the autoroute will suggest a route with distance, time, average speed and energy use. If your desired route is not suggested, go back to your route plan and add a waypoint.

If the estimated drive range is longer than the journey distance, the system will let you know and give you the option to go back and edit driver options. To complete the route, even if your EV doesn’t require a charge, you must add a stop.

If you would like to see more details about a potential charge point location before adding it to your route, pull up the InfoBox by swiping up on it, with connector status, price, and access details, plus the latest Zap-Chat community updates.

Any other questions, please email our support team.

Zap-Pay is our simple way to pay for EV charging with participating networks from within the Zapmap app in the UK. Because there are many different charging networks across the UK, Zapmap helps you search, plan and pay for charging all within one app.

To find charge points where Zap-Pay can be used, click into Filters in the map page, then ‘Payment’ and tap the ‘Zap-Pay’ option before selecting ‘Apply’. Networks which accept Zap-Pay are also listed first under the 'Networks' filter and have a Zap-Pay indicator next to them.

There are twenty-six charge point operators which currently take Zap-Pay in the UK, with more on the way once technical integration is complete. At present, you can pay quickly and easily for charging with Zap-Pay on the following networks:

Allego
Applegreen Electric
Be:EV
Believ
char.gy
ChargeMyStreet
ChargePlace Scotland
Connected Kerb
ESB Energy
Evolt Network
Evyve
Fastned
FOR:EV
GeniePoint
Ionity
Lidl
Mer
MFG EV Power
Monta
Osprey
PoGo Charge
Roam
Shell Recharge Ubitricity
Tap Electric
TotalEnergies
Urban Fox

To add a debit/credit card to use Zap-Pay simply sign in to the app, go to Settings in the bottom right corner (on iOS) or click on the hamburger icon in the top left-hand corner (on Android), select ‘Payment methods’ under 'Payments', then press 'ADD' in the top right-hand corner and follow the instructions. There will be a temporary authorisation hold of 5p per card, which will be returned to you by your bank.

There is no need to add or activate your Google Pay or Apple Pay account in Zap-Map to use it as a payment method. If a Google Pay or Apple Pay account is available on your device, it will be offered automatically when you pay to charge.

Zap-Pay is an app-based payment system which uses VISA, Mastercard, Google Pay or Apple Pay to pay for charging from within the Zapmap app. We do not currently accept Amex but we hope to be able to in the near future.

To use Zap-Pay to pay for your charging session at a compatible charge-point, tap the charge-point's icon in the app, tap the orange 'Charge now' button, follow the on-screen instructions to select a connector and the payment method you would like to use, and start charging.

Once your charging session is complete, you will be sent a VAT receipt, and if you are a registered user this will also be stored within your Zapmap account.

Before you start a Zap-Pay charging session, we will place an authorisation hold on your payment card. This is not a charge but is a reserved amount to ensure that your payment method is valid and that sufficient funds are available.

Once the session is complete, the authorisation hold will be adjusted to reflect the actual cost of the charging session. This usually happens within a few minutes, though it may take up to an hour. If the charging session fails to start, we release the authorisation hold within 24 hours. Your bank may take several days to update your account.

We use tiered authorisation holds based on account type:

Registered Users: £30

Non-Registered Guest Users: £60

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to email our support team.

When you pay for charging through Zapmap, the price you see is, wherever possible, set at the same or a similar level to the standard PAYG (Pay-As-You-Go) rate set by the Charge Point Operator. However, some networks apply higher prices when payments are made via third-party services like Zapmap. This is outside of our control, as pricing is set at the discretion of each network.

With a Zapmap Premium subscription, you will receive a 5% discount when charging using our in-app Zap-Pay payment service, which will be applied automatically to the first 50kWh charged each month. The discount will appear on your Zap-Pay receipt after charging.

No, there is no need for any membership or subscription to use Zap-Pay. If you use Zap-Pay with the free account, you will have a more streamlined process, be able to save cards and view your full charging history.

There is also a guest option available that does not require registration.

To find charge points which Zap-Pay can be used on, click into Filters in the map page, then ‘Payment’ and tap the ‘Zap-Pay’ option, then click ‘Apply’ to filter on it.

Networks which accept Zap-Pay are also listed first under the 'Networks' filter and have a Zap-Pay indicator next to them.

To find charge points that take contactless credit/debit cards, click into Filters in the map page, then ‘Payment’ and tap the ‘Contactless debit or credit card’ option. Click ‘Apply’ to filter down.

Zap-Pay is available to use in the UK only. For charge points abroad we are starting off with our core mapping functionality first before branching out to offer additional features. If you haven't already signed up to our newsletter this is a great way to be notified about the latest Zapmap updates and features, as well as EV news: https://www.zap-map.com/newsletter/.

If you are using Zap-Pay while logged in, the receipt from charging will be stored within your account, and it will also be emailed to you.

Guest users will have the receipt emailed to the specified email address.

For any questions or support on Zap-Pay, please email our support team.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are the in-car versions of the iOS and Android mobile device operating systems. They provide a simplified version of any app that supports Apple CarPlay or Android Auto in order to make it suitable for use whilst driving.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

The in-car version of Zapmap has three main features:

Locating charge points
You can see all the charge points close to your current location, identify suitable points using the filters or search another area.

Viewing live charge point status
You can see the details of each charge point including live charge point status data (where available) and the latest EV driver chats.

Accessing route plans
You can pull up routes that you have planned on the mobile app and punch out to Apple Maps or Google Maps to get turn-by-turn directions.

Support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is included in our Zapmap Premium subscription service. Once subscribed (and logged in to the app on your mobile device) you will be able to connect to your in-car media system or head unit and access Zapmap.

If you are not subscribed and/or logged in you will see a message saying, ‘You must be logged in and subscribed to our Premium service to use Zapmap on Apple CarPlay’.

See how to find EV charge points even quicker and drive smarter with in-car support from Zapmap Premium in this video.

The in-car apps support the following features:

1. Map view showing the closest locations (limited to 12 on iOS) to the center of the map along with their Network, Status and Distance.
2. List view showing the closest locations (limited to 12 on iOS) to the center of the map and their Network, Power (Ultra-rapid/Rapid/Fast/Slow), Status (Available, Charging, Offline), Rating and Distance.
3. Locations can be opened to provide further information such as the Devices, Connector types and their Status, Network, Rating, Pricing, Distance, Address and Facilities.
4. Locations can be used to open a navigation app which can then provide turn-by-turn directions.

The following filters are available within the in-car apps:

1. One or more ‘EV Model’ filters, which allow you to only show locations compatible with your vehicle.
2. ‘Charge type’ filter to limit locations to those which only have rapid or fast charge points (dependent upon active EV Model).
3. ‘Payment methods’ filter to limit locations to those which support Zap-Pay (in the UK) or Contactless payment.
4. ‘Best locations’ filter, which allows you to limit locations to those with three or more devices and/or three or more ‘stars’.
5. ‘Access type’ filter, which allows you to limit locations to those which offer 24Hr access or Taxi-only charging.

Route Plans (available in the UK and the Republic of Ireland) created in Zapmap are listed and each ‘stop’ can be viewed and used to open your in-car navigation app.

You will need an iPhone or iPad running a minimum of iOS 14 installed and an Apple CarPlay compatible in-car device.

Once you connect your Apple device to the CarPlay unit, Zapmap will become available within Apple CarPlay, alongside the other Apple CarPlay compatible apps you have.

Using Android Auto is easy to set up once you are subscribed to Zapmap Premium.

From an Android device, connect your phone to your car and open the Android Auto app, then follow the on-screen instructions. The Zapmap app should appear automatically on your in-car screen or head-unit display.

Any other questions, please email our support team.

Zapmap Premium is a subscription plan which provides enhanced features for electric vehicle (EV) drivers to plan quicker and drive smarter. An added bonus is a 5% discount for your first 50 kWh per month when using Zap-Pay to charge. Subscribing to Zapmap Premium also includes the ability to filter the charge points on the map by price per kWh, by newly added charge points, by multiple devices, by user rating and to display more detailed location types.

Additionally, Zapmap Premium enables EV drivers to save unlimited filters, route plans (in the UK) and add multiple EV models.

By popular demand, EV drivers can also see what3word addresses for charge points and the app can be enjoyed ad-free.

Zapmap Premium is available within the in-car dashboard via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This means EV drivers can locate suitable charge points, view live charge point status and access route plans (in the UK) whilst on the move.

Follow the link below to see all the different features available:

Zapmap plans compared

Zapmap Premium is available on a monthly and annual subscription. The annual subscription is £2.49 per month (£29.99 per year) whilst the monthly subscription is £4.99.

For countries where we operate abroad you will pay the following for annual and monthly subscriptions respectively: Europe (we operate in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg): €34.99/€5.99, USA: $29.99/$5.99, Canada: C$39.99/C$6.99.

You also have an option to try out Zapmap Premium with our 7-day trial with no obligation to pay anything until the free trial period ends.

Simply select the ‘annual payment’ option in the AppStore or Google Play Store and agree to the terms and conditions.

You’ll need to select a payment method for when the trial ends, but you can cancel the trial at any time during those 7 days and no payment will be taken.

To get either Zapmap Premium, make sure you’re registered within the app, tap into ‘Settings’ and scroll to ‘Account’ and tap on ‘Subscriptions’. Here you will be able to see all the details and subscribe.

With our free 7-day trial you can try out the benefits of Zapmap Premium with no obligation to pay anything until the free trial period ends.

Simply select the ‘annual payment’ option in the AppStore or Google Play Store and agree to the terms and conditions.

You’ll need to select a payment method for when the trial ends, but you can cancel the trial at any time during those 7 days and no payment will be taken.

With Premium you can get Zapmap on your car's display with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, in addition to advanced filters including a pricing filter, unlimited route plans and many other exciting features that make EV charging even simpler.

Premium is now less than £2.50 per month when billed annually, so if you use public charge points there has never been a better time to be a premium member.

The padlock icons shown across the app indicate where new features can be unlocked by Zapmap Premium.

To remove ads from the app, upgrade to Zapmap Premium for the best experience.

All of Zapmap’s core features are free and will remain free. This includes the ability to search for charge points, use the filters, view the charge point info, add chats and plan routes.

We will continue to develop free features. The latest version of the app has upgraded the connector and power rating filters and the user interface. The route planner has also been updated for all users, it now includes an autoroute routing method that creates a complete route with charge points selected, making routes easier to create!

To cancel your subscription from Zapmap on the Apple App Store please do the following: Open the App Store and tap on your profile picture at the top right, then tap Subscriptions. You may need to sign in with your Apple ID. Choose a subscription, then click cancel.

To cancel your subscription on the Google Play store, please do the following: Open the Google Play app, at the top right, tap the profile icon. Then tap Payments & Subscriptions and then Subscriptions, which will show your live subscriptions, select the subscription you wish to cancel and tap cancel subscription, then follow the instructions.

Any other questions, please email our support team.

To register and set up an account with Zapmap go to the account menu and select ‘Sign in/Register’. Complete and submit all the requested details on the forms provided.

You will then receive an activation email from us (if you haven’t received an email, please check your spam folder). Follow the activation link to complete your registration. Use your email or username and password to log in.

You can change or update your account details, display name or avatar by tapping into the “Profile” option under the “Account” heading in the app Settings menu.

Please email our support team if you need to change your email address or account username (login name).

Please email our support team if you need to change your email address or account username (login name).

To change your password, log in and select ‘Your profile’ in the account menu, change your password, then press ‘Update’.

Alternatively, use the ‘Lost your password?’ link at the bottom of the login page. You will then receive an email from us with a link to update your password. If you haven’t received an email, please check your spam folder.

First, log into your account, then go to ‘Your profile’ in the account menu, upload your avatar picture then press ‘Update’.

Open the account menu and go to ‘Your EV Models’. Press ‘Add your EV model’, select your brand and model, then press ‘Update’. Adding your EV Model to your Zapmap account allows you to filter charge points which are compatible with your electric vehicle and accurately plan routes using the Zapmap Route Planner.

If you find your EV model is not showing in the app please email our support team. Please note we are currently focussing on battery electric vehicles and we are therefore not adding new plug-in hybrid vehicles. In the meantime you can still use the Route Planner by adding an EV model with the same connector options and a similar range.

Log into your account and go to ‘Contact preferences’ in the account menu. Then choose the type of information you would like to receive and the contact method(s) you would like us to use and press ‘Update’.

Privacy Policy

To add your your home charger, open the Settings menu in our app, select "Add a private charge point", click on "Add to Justcharge" and then "Rent out your space now".

We have partnered with JustPark as the JustCharge platform allows you to be paid automatically, enables users to book a preferred time to charge, and you can control when your space is available. It also means your charger will be available to thousands of EV drivers both on JustPark's platform and on Zapmap. Users can filter to show just home chargers by selecting "JustCharge by JustPark" in our Networks filter.

Our app does not currently accept requests to add home charge points outside of the UK.

To edit or remove your JustPark home charge point simply login to your JustPark account, either on the website or through the app, and make the changes yourself by selecting "Manage my spaces".

To add your work charger, open the Settings menu within our app, select "Add a public charge point" and follow the onscreen instructions. You'll need to add "Other" in the "Select network" field, and "Workplace Car Park" in "Select location types" which will allow users to display work chargers.

To edit or remove your work charge point, please email our support team.

An electric vehicle (EV) is one that uses an electric motor for drive, powered by a battery and typically able to be recharged by plugging it in to an external power source. 

Plug-in options

Driving an electric car certainly feels different the first time around. Most notably an electric car is almost silent, with noise from the motor only noticeable at speed, and traditional wind and tyre noise created. Other than that, EVs drive in a similar way to a conventional cars with an automatic transmission, and are very easy to drive. But better than an automatic, they have lots of ‘torque’ from a standing start, which means that they are very responsive with even standard EV models having quick acceleration.

Most new EVs have a real-world range of somewhere between 80-250 miles, depending on the model. Small, city-focused cars sit at the lower end of the range spectrum, with many family models easily able to cover 110-180 miles on a single charge, though there are an increasing number that can cover 200-250 miles. Premium models, like the Tesla range or Jaguar I-Pace, can cover 250-300+ miles on a full battery.

If you are thinking of buying a EV, there are three issues that need to be considered that will determine which type of EV is the right vehicle for you: your access to a private off-street charging point, your daily mileage and your overall budget. Read on to see which EV is suitable for your vehicle and travel requirements.

EV buying guide

Range can be affected by a number of factors. These include internal factors like the use of air conditioning and/or heating. Driving style can have a great impact too, with higher speeds and aggressive acceleration significantly decreasing the range available.

Making good use of regenerative braking can reduce the rate at which your battery’s charge will drop too, and the outside temperature has an impact too – with batteries preferring warm to cold conditions.

Electric vehicles are zero-emission at point of use. However, emissions are produced during the generation of electricity – the amount depending on the method of generation. Therefore, the emissions need to be considered on a life cycle basis so as to include power station emissions.

For climate change gases (such as CO2), electric cars charged using average UK ‘mains’ electricity show a significant reduction in emissions – the figures suggest a reduction of around 40% compared to an average small petrol car (tailpipe 120 g/km CO2). This is improving all the time too, as the UK’s electricity mix is increasingly made up of a greater ratio of renewable energy.

EV benefits

According to the results of crash testing conducted for all cars and vans EVs have to adhere to the same safety regulations as conventional vehicles – note however that quadricycles like the Renault Twizy are not covered by the same testing regimes. Many of the UK’s best-selling EVs have been awarded five stars by independent safety body EuroNCAP.

However, it should be said that there have been a small number of fires from lithium batteries, most notably involving the Tesla Model S in the United States. However, Tesla has published in-depth data to show that the incidences of fires is no greater than for conventional cars (which may be reported less frequently).

Most mainstream manufacturers offer electric models as part of their line-ups, with more being released all the time.

In the UK the answer is, typically ‘less than in a petrol or diesel car’ as fuel costs for a petrol or diesel car are usually in the range 10-15p/mile, and only 6p/mile for a home-charged pure-EV. Because of the variety of models available, each will have different costs per trip, depending on where it is charged, and how efficient the EV is compared to other electric models.

Cost of charging on a public network in the UK 

Electric, zero and low emission cars, vans and motorcycles are now subject to the vehicle tax rates that were introduced on 1 April 2025. The amount you’ll need to pay depends on the type of vehicle and when it was registered. A detailed breakdown of the tax rates can be found on this GOV UK guidance page.

There are four main types of EV charge point (slow, fast and rapid and ultra-rapid) as well as a number of charging connectors, some of which are suitable for a particular EV. Check out Zapmap’s EV Charging Guides for a comprehensive ‘how to’ guide for all the main EV models.

The two most common places to charge an EV are at home or at work. Public charge points can either be: a valuable alternative for EV users without access to a home or workplace charger, a convenient way to occasionally top-up, or essential for ‘en route’ charging during longer EV journeys.

Zapmap has the most comprehensive coverage of public EV charge points across the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

We will also be building up our presence in Europe with an initial focus on high-powered chargers with a power rating of 60 kW or more in France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg before including lower-powered chargers and other countries thereafter.

There are a three main types of EV charge point (slow, fast and rapid) as well as a number of charging connectors, some of which are suitable for a particular EV. Check out Zapmap’s EV Charging Guides for a comprehensive ‘how to’ guide for all the main EV models.

Alternatively, use the connector filters on Zapmap to find out which public charge points your EV can use.

Charge points tend to be similar in operation from network to network, but access requirements and costs can vary. Some require an RFID card to use them, others an app, while an increasing number offer contactless card payment. Most networks need/allow a user to register details beforehand.
With many different networks in the UK, we have introduced Zap-Pay which makes paying for charging simple via an app-based payment system which uses a credit or debit card. If you have enabled Apply Pay or Google Pay on you phone you can also use these to pay for charging. It means you can search, plan and pay for charging quickly and easily, all within the Zapmap app.

Public networks in the UK 

Costs vary greatly for public EV charging, depending on how much charge is required, the cost of electricity for each network, and what type of public charge point is used. Some will cost nothing to use, while rapid charging will typically be priced higher than fast charging, due to convenience and higher charge point installation costs.

Public charging calculator in the UK

EV charging costs vary from model to model as different battery sizes affect how much energy is used. Expect a cost per charge at home to cost around £5 in the UK.

Home charging calculator in the UK​​​​​​​

In addition to the UK and ROI, we are starting to display charge points in the USA, Canada, France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Further countries will be added to our growing network in the future and the timings for this to happen will be published in due course. If you haven't already signed up to our newsletter this is a great way to be notified about the latest Zapmap updates, as well as features and EV news. Sign up here.

We are starting to display charge points in the USA, Canada, France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

As a public charging focused company, we are prioritising adding high power options which allow you to get back on the road quickly. We will continue to expand our coverage - so watch this space. If you haven't already signed up to our newsletter this is a great way to be notified about the latest Zapmap updates and features, as well as EV news. Sign up here.

Contactless payments are not as widely accepted as in the UK so download the apps you know you’ll need and sign up before setting off to make the at-charger experience easier.

Usually Charge Point Operator apps work by linking a credit/debit card or PayPal account and then the chargers are activated by scanning a QR code.

Check the Zapmap app for information on the payment options available at your chosen charge point, details are available in the 'Info' tab of each charger on the map. Be mindful of the currency you’re paying in, and make a note of the conversion rate so that you have a clear understanding of how much you’re paying to charge.

Zap-Pay is not currently available for use abroad. For charge points abroad we are starting off with our core mapping functionality first before branching out to offer additional features. If you haven't already signed up to our newsletter this is a great way to be notified about the latest Zapmap updates and features, as well as EV news. Sign up here.

We aim to show pricing information for as many networks/charge points as possible, but we don't have full coverage just yet - we are working to expand the number of charge points showing pricing information, and more will be added in due course.

The Zapmap route planner is not currently available for use abroad. For charge points abroad we are starting off with our core mapping functionality first before branching out to offer additional features. If you haven't already signed up to our newsletter this is a great way to be notified about the latest Zapmap updates, as well as features and EV news. Sign up here.

Yes - just like in the UK, EVs can be charged with home chargers or via a domestic socket. We would always advise to charge using appropriate equipment - always consult local guidelines and use suitable charging cables - never use a 3-pin UK charging plug to EU adaptor with a UK charging connector. Charging using a domestic socket may pose a risk and it is advised to never use an extension cable.

There are certain rules and requirements for any drivers and vehicles entering different countries across Europe. Remember to research what these are for each country you plan to visit. Make sure you have your driving licence with you, correct insurance to drive abroad, appropriate breakdown cover, registration or leasing documents, a UK identifier sticker on your vehicle, and we recommend checking what health and safety kit components such as warning triangles and reflective safety gear are required by law as they vary depending on European country.

Most new EVs have a real-world range of somewhere between 80-250 miles (130-400 kms), depending on the model. Small, city-focused cars sit at the lower end of the range spectrum, with many family models easily able to cover 110-180 miles (170-290 km) on a single charge, though there are an increasing number that can cover 200-250 miles (320-400 km). Premium models, like the Tesla range or Jaguar I-Pace, can cover 250-300+ miles (400-480 km) on a full battery.