Most charging is done at home using either a 13amp portable charger or a dedicated wall unit.

Many workplaces are fitting chargers (ask them to do so, grants are available).

​There are grants available (OLEV) to cover most of the cost of home chargers, £500 is the current grant level. Dealers often include the remainder of the cost, around £250. Fitting must be done by qualified professionals, such as POD Point, Eo charging and many more. You cannot run cables over a pavement or road.
  • ​​​ Home charging costs your usual home rate per kWh at an average of 13p per Kwh - this works out at approx 3p per mile
  • On economy 7 it is half price at night - this works out at approx 1.5p per mile

If you live in a place where you couldn’t use a home charger, you can use public chargers.
  • Public charging points, where they charge, usually cost around 30p per Kwh - this works out at approx 7.5p per mile

To find public chargers, use the ZAP MAP app, available from the app store onto your smartphone, tablet or computer. Its free and tells you where charge points are, get it before you switch, and become familiar with locations.

  • There are now more electric cars charge locations than petrol stations in the UK!
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Zap-Map shows all public charge places in the British Isles. There are several organisations fitting and running chargers. Some you just tap the screen with your credit or debit card, others you need to sign up for online and use an app. For some you purchase an annual card. Prices vary from free, in Scotland, some in Northumberland, and some National Trust properties, to about 30p per kWh. There are 3 speeds:
  • Rapid (the quickest) which suit long journeys - adds approx 100 miles range for an hours charging
  • Fast which are OK if you are visiting a museum, garden, or going for a walk, shopping etc - adds approx 20 miles range for an hours charging
  • Plug-In (slow) which are overnight charge at destinations mostly - adds approx 10 miles range for an hours charging
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All have their uses, rapids are the most expensive, but most useful. Ultra rapids are now  starting to be fitted, delivering up to 350kW to suitable vehicles.     
​Renewable Electricity:
Your electric car makes least overall emissions and pollution if you use renewable electricity. Good Energy, Ecotricity, Ovo, Green energy and Octopus supply this along with many others. Many have a cheaper tariff designed for electric car charging.

See also - ‘Electric cars aren’t green’  - debunking a myth!