It typically takes around 8 hours to charge an electric vehicle (EV) using a three-pin domestic plug socket. For faster charging, a professional can install a home charging point. This would normally cost around £1,000, but there’s currently a £500 government grant available for EV drivers. This can reduce charging times by up to 50% (a fully charged EV car in 4 hours).
There’s a network of more than 14,000 chargers at around 5,000 different locations around the UK, with the number of fast and rapid chargers growing quickly. Rapid chargers are usually found at motorway service stations. They can top an electric car up to 80% charge in just 30 minutes. They do cost, though, with Ecotricity (the firm that owns UK’s rapid charging network) implementing a £3 connection charge, plus 17p per unit of electricity used.
Alternatively, there are a number of slower public chargers available to use for free and can charge an electric car in a couple of hours. These include more than 7,000 fast chargers, often found in shopping centres and supermarket car parks.
For £7.85 a month a Polar Plus card from Chargemaster, this gives you access to more than 6,000 charging points across the UK. This live map shows you where you could use the card – including live information – and then all you have to do is swipe the card and plug in.
Two EV charging points are available on the Science Park for employees and visitors.
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