Christmas is one of the busiest travel periods of the year, with EV drivers setting off to complete long trips across the country. As such, Zap-Map has collated customer support opening hours for the major rapid national networks in the UK.
The below networks are those that have a significant number of rapid points, and therefore those most relied on by EV drivers travelling longer distances. Combined, these networks operate more than 90% of all public rapid units on Zap-Map.
There are other networks available, and should you anticipate using a charge point from one not listed below, it is worth giving their customer service number a call before the Christmas break to find out when support is available.
Opening hours listed include normal office hours, or support from the out-of-hours service. Levels of service may vary, but if contacting the network within the time frames below, they should be able to assist drivers that have an issue with a point.
Networks are listed alphabetically, and remember to update usage on Zap-Chat while on the go, to keep charge point statuses as up-to-date as possible for other drivers.
BP Chargemaster Polar
Open throughout – 24/7
Customer services or out-of-hours will cover calls throughout the Christmas period for points on the Polar network – including Chargemaster Taxi. Operating the largest number of rapid chargers other than Tesla, the Polar network is likely to support a great number of EV drivers this Christmas.
Charge Your Car
Open throughout – 24/7
Customer services or out-of-hours will cover calls throughout the Christmas period for points on the Charge Your Car network, or sub-networks such as Source West, D2N2, GMEV, Recharge, or a number of other county council networks.
ChargePlace Scotland
Open throughout – 24/7
Customer services or out-of-hours will cover calls throughout the Christmas period for points on the ChargePlace Scotland network. With wide-ranging coverage across Scotland, the network will prove a valuable one for many drivers.
Ecotricity
Open 8am – 8pm each day. Closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day; open 10am – 5pm on Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve
Closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, Ecotricity’s Electric Highway network will provide customer support the rest of the time between the above hours. With charge points at every motorway services in the UK, the network is an extensive one and often used by long-distance EV drivers.
ESB
Open throughout – 24/7
Customer services or out-of-hours will cover calls throughout the Christmas period for points on the ESB networks – including ESB EV Solutions, ESB eCars, and ecarni. The dominant network in Ireland and Northern Ireland, ESB also operates points in the UK.
GeniePoint
Open 24/7 other than 9pm New Year’s Eve to 9am New Year’s Day
Closed only over the night of New Year’s Eve into New Year’s Day, GeniePoint will offer customer support the rest of the time. The national network has coverage across the UK, but has particularly high numbers of units in the South West and North West.
InstaVolt
Open throughout – 24/7
Customer services or out-of-hours will cover calls throughout the Christmas period for points on the InstaVolt network. The rapidly expanding network only offers contactless bank card access, reducing the likelihood of requiring support in the first place.
Pod Point
Open throughout – 24/7
Customer services or out-of-hours will cover calls throughout the Christmas period for points on the Pod Point network. Despite having a larger number of fast points at destinations, Pod Point’s rapid charging network has grown quickly.
Tesla
Open throughout – 24/7
Tesla’s Customer Support and Roadside Assistance will cover calls throughout the Christmas period for points on the Supercharger network. The network is one of the key benefits of being a Tesla owner and, with the largest number of rapid chargers in the UK, there are plenty of options for Tesla drivers to pick from.