The UK's public charging network is really a dozen-plus separate companies, each with its own pricing, app, and reputation. You don't need an account with all of them any more — but knowing which is which still helps you plan a route or pick a backup option when your first choice is busy or out of order.
The major networks
| Network | Best known for | Typical speed | Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Supercharger | Now open to all EVs (not just Teslas) at most UK sites; widely regarded as one of the most dependable networks | Ultra-rapid (up to 250kW) | Tesla app |
| GRIDSERVE | Large motorway-service "Electric Forecourts" and hubs; strong motorway coverage | Rapid to ultra-rapid (up to 350kW at newer hubs) | App or contactless |
| IONITY | High-power motorway charging, often at premium pricing unless you have a partner subscription | Ultra-rapid (up to 350kW) | App or contactless |
| InstaVolt | Contactless-only, no app or membership needed at any site | Rapid (up to 125kW+) | Contactless card only |
| Osprey | Straightforward contactless pricing and a reputation for good uptime | Rapid to ultra-rapid | Contactless or app |
| bp pulse | Very large UK footprint, including many on-street and retail-car-park chargers alongside rapids | Mixed — slow/fast on-street, rapid at retail/forecourt sites | App or contactless |
| Pod Point | Mostly slower destination charging (supermarkets, retail parks) rather than rapid motorway charging | Fast (7–22kW) at most sites | App |
| Shell Recharge | Forecourt rapids plus a large on-street/lamppost network in some cities | Mixed — slow on-street, rapid at forecourts | App or contactless |
Your rights as a driver
Since the Public Charge Point Regulations came into force, the experience is more consistent than it used to be, regardless of which network you're standing at:
- Contactless payment is required by law on every new charger of 8kW or more, and on existing rapid chargers of 50kW or more — you shouldn't need to download an app or create an account just to pay.
- A free 24/7 helpline must be clearly advertised at every public charger, for when something goes wrong.
- Pricing must be shown upfront in pence per kWh — on the unit itself, on a screen, or via an app — before you plug in.
- Roaming access is being rolled out too, so a growing number of networks can be reached through a single third-party app rather than each one's own.
Picking a network on the day
- Check a charger's live status (in-use, faulted, or free) on Zap-Map or the network's own app before you drive to it — status can change in the time it takes to get there.
- Always have a second option in mind, especially on a long trip — even reliable networks have the occasional faulted unit or a queue.
- Networks with a contactless-only model (like InstaVolt) are usually the fastest to start using cold, with nothing to set up in advance.
- If you charge at the same type of location regularly (motorway hubs vs. supermarket car parks), that network's own app or subscription can work out cheaper than always paying contactless PAYG rates.
Coverage, pricing, and reliability all shift as networks expand and upgrade hardware — use our Find a Charger tool for live status near you, and treat this page as a general orientation rather than a live comparison.