13 Hidden and Free EV Charging Stations Near Me

Taxi and PHV drivers' bottom lines are taking a hit because of this decline. The UK now has only 1,872 free electric car charging points - a tiny 2.4% of all available chargers. Most of these free chargers (66%) are slow ones that operate under 8kw.

The good news is you can still find free spots if you know the right places. Many supermarkets like Aldi, Asda, and Sainsbury's offer free public EV charging.

This piece reveals 15 hidden spots where your electric taxi or private hire vehicle can charge at no cost.

RELATED: What is the cost of charging an electric car in the UK?

1. Asda Stores Offering Free EV Charging

Asda was once at the vanguard of supermarket EV charging and provided a network of free charging points in many stores. Recent data shows Asda has scaled back its EV charging infrastructure from 165 chargers in early 2023 to only 46 working units in 2025.

Asda free EV charging locations

After ending its partnership with BP Pulse, Asda now has working chargers in only 2% of its stores. All the same, some locations in West Yorkshire still give free charging through ENGIE partnership. You'll find these chargers at 19 stores including Bradford, Killingbeck, Wakefield, Huddersfield and Middleton.

West Yorkshire Asda stores with charging points are:

Adel
Aspley
Beeston
Bradford
Dewsbury
Glasshoughton
Harehills
Huddersfield
Killingbeck

Chargers can also be found at Kirkstall, Middleton, Moorthorpe, Morley, Otley, Wakefield, Wakefield Dewsbury Road, West Bradford, Wortley, and Wyke.

Asda free EV charger access restrictions

These rapid charge points give about 160 miles of driving range. Customers can access these charging points 24/7, which makes them a great way to get power for taxi drivers working night shifts.

Best Asda stores for taxi drivers

Taxi drivers benefit most from Asda locations in busy areas that have multiple stores nearby. Bradford, Leeds (with Kirkstall, Killingbeck and Harehills) and Wakefield are excellent hubs for PHV drivers. In London, PCO drivers can charge their EV cars at Asda Wembley. Rapid chargers at these spots work perfectly for quick top-ups between rides. The dedicated taxi bay at each spot means you won't waste time waiting to charge. Apps like Zap-Map and PlugShare help you find any remaining free Asda chargers by filtering "free to use" charging points. Since free Asda chargers are becoming rare, it's smart to call ahead or check the apps for immediate availability before making a special trip.

2. Hidden Free EV Chargers at Premier Inns

Premier Inn has become an unexpected friend to EV drivers by rolling out charging points at hundreds of hotels nationwide. Taxi and PHV drivers looking for free ev charging stations near me will find these hotel locations a great alternative as other options become scarce.

Premier Inn free EV charging availability

Premier Inn has formed a mutually beneficial alliance with ENGIE UK & Ireland and its GeniePoint Network to install up to 1,000 rapid charging points across the UK. They plan to set up 600 charging points in the first three years. The company might add 400 more points later. More than 100 Premier Inn hotels now have GeniePoint Network chargers installed. You'll find these hotels in:

Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Stirling
Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle and Liverpool
London (multiple locations) and many cities across southern England

These high-powered chargers can fully charge an average electric vehicle in about 30 minutes. This quick charging time works well for taxi drivers who need to get back on the road fast.

Premier Inn EV charger access rules

GeniePoint runs these charging points on a pay-as-you-go system. Drivers can pay online, through their smartphone app, or with an RFID card. While not free, several Premier Inn locations have special deals for guests staying overnight. Hotel guests get priority access to these charging facilities. Restaurant guests and the public can also use them.

Tips for overnight charging at Premier Inn

Taxi drivers who need to stay overnight can save money by booking Premier Inn rooms with charging facilities. The 30-minute charging time lets you power up while you rest or grab a meal at the hotel. Premier Inn leads the UK with the most hotel charging locations - 134 according to Zap-Map. Taxi drivers can plan their routes around these spots. The chargers work 24/7, unlike supermarket chargers that close early. This means you can charge during quiet hours too.

Free EV Charging at National Trust Properties

The National Trust might surprise you as a provider of free EV charging stations. They give you free power at their heritage sites throughout the UK. Taxi and PHV drivers can combine cultural visits with practical charging needs at these locations.

National Trust free EV charging points

Raw Charging has teamed up with the National Trust to install EV chargers at their iconic sites. Raw plans to invest up to £12m in this project. You'll find these facilities at several properties like Cliveden near Maidenhead, Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire, and Chirk Castle in Wales. Properties throughout England, Wales, and Northern Ireland now have these charging points. Some locations feature AC destination chargers for longer stays, while others have DC rapid charging hubs.

Accessing National Trust EV chargers

You should check if charging points work and are free before you visit. Zap-Map shows around 5,715 free-to-use charging devices in the UK as of 2022. This number includes National Trust locations. These chargers let taxi drivers charge their vehicles while dropping off passengers. The charging bays have a layout that makes them easy to use for all drivers and passengers. This design makes them perfect for professional use.

Best National Trust sites for PHV drivers

Sites close to major cities work best for PHV drivers. Places like Gibside near Newcastle and Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire are great choices because they sit near urban areas. A fun fact: users rarely donate for using these chargers. A Gibside receptionist mentioned that "only one person has ever made a donation for using our charger". This makes them truly free charging stations for budget-conscious taxi operators.

Zap-Map helps you find these and other free charging options nationwide with real-time availability updates.

3. ChargePlace Scotland Free Rapid Chargers

Image Source: YouTube

Scotland's ChargePlace Scotland network stands out as one of the UK's largest free EV charging networks. This government-backed programme gives taxi and PHV drivers excellent charging options throughout the country.

ChargePlace Scotland free charger locations

The network now has more than 2,600 public charging points across Scotland, and about 1,060 of these come free of cost. Drivers can find reliable coverage from busy city centres to the remote Highlands. You'll find different charging speeds available, from standard 7kW units to rapid 50kW and ultra-rapid 150kW chargers. Taxi drivers benefit most from rapid chargers that let them quickly power up between customers. Glasgow shines with 19.8% of its 340 public chargers available at no cost. Kilmarnock tops the national rankings with 4.5 free chargers for every 10,000 residents. Ayr follows with 4.2 and Stirling with 2.2.

How to access ChargePlace Scotland chargers

Getting started with these free chargers is simple. Pay a one-time fee of £10 to get your ChargePlace Scotland RFID access card. The card works at any charging point shown on their live map. You can also start charging through:

ChargePlace Scotland's smartphone app
Their Webpay service website
Contactless payment at selected rapid chargers

The network's 24/7 availability makes it perfect for taxi drivers who work night shifts and don't have home charging options.

Best Scottish cities for free EV charging

East Lothian and Dundee lead the pack in Scotland's EV infrastructure. Dundee earned recognition as Europe's most forward-thinking city for electric vehicles. The city transformed three multi-storey car parks into charging hubs with dedicated taxi spaces.

Edinburgh and Glasgow, despite their large size, have only 0.29 and 0.3 chargers per thousand residents respectively. All the same, taxi operators still find these cities practical. The Orkney Islands showcase impressive coverage with 1.43 chargers per thousand people. This setup works perfectly for drivers serving these island communities.

4. Free EV Charging at Aldi Supermarkets

Aldi stands out from other supermarket chains by keeping its free EV charging stations at many locations across the UK. These supermarket stops give taxi and PHV drivers great opportunities to charge between fares.

Aldi free EV charging points

Aldi teamed up with NewMotion (now Shell Recharge) in 2020 to add electric vehicle charging points at all new stores. This move added 140 chargers to the UK public network, with plans to add more as needs grow. Most of these charging points are free, though each location may have different rules. You can find Aldi stores with free EV charging near you by:

Using the Aldi store locator with EV charge point philtre
Looking up Zap-Map with 'Free to use' payment philtre
Calling the store to check their current charging policies

Most Aldi chargers work on a "plug and shop" system. Some locations now charge fees starting at 25p per kWh.

Aldi EV charger speed and availability

Aldi's AC chargers support speeds up to 22kW. This is a big deal as it means they're faster than the common 7kW chargers you find elsewhere. These higher speeds let taxi drivers charge quickly while shopping.

5. Hidden Free Chargers at Local Leisure Centres

UK leisure centres have emerged as excellent spots that offer free EV charging stations. Many centres provide complimentary power while drivers wait between fares or take breaks.

Leisure centre free EV charging

Council-owned leisure facilities near you often provide free electric car charging points as part of their green initiatives. Gateshead Council, to cite an instance, provides complimentary EV charging at several leisure centres. These include Gateshead Stadium, Gateshead Leisure Centre, Heworth Leisure Centre, and Birtley Leisure Centre. Bridgend County Borough Council has added EV chargers at multiple spots. Garw Valley Leisure Centre features three 7kW sockets. Both Ogmore Valley Life Centre and Ynysawdre Swimming Pool come equipped with two 22kW sockets and four 7kW sockets each.

Access restrictions at leisure centres

Leisure centre chargers remain available during facility hours, though some locations offer round-the-clock access. Free parking at these spots makes them perfect for taxi drivers who need quick stops between fares. Some centres restrict access to members or paying visitors. David Lloyd Health Club in Acton, London allows free charging only to club members. Energy capacity limits exist at certain sites. Belfast Council's review revealed that Ozone Complex and Shankill Leisure Centre lacked proper capacity for EV chargers.

Top leisure centres with free EV chargers

PHV drivers find these locations in London most useful:

Ogmore Valley Life Centre (Bridgend) – features faster 22kW chargers plus standard 7kW options
Pyle Swimming Pool (Bridgend) – offers both 22kW and 7kW charging options

Zap-Map shows around 1,872 free devices nationwide when filtered for "free to use" charging points at leisure centres.

6. Free EV Charging at Selected Sainsbury’s Stores

Sainsbury's lets taxi drivers charge their EVs for free at select stores throughout the UK. This service gives drivers convenient charging options between rides.

Sainsbury's free EV charging locations

You'll find free EV charging points at about 25 Sainsbury's stores across the UK. These stores use Pod Point chargers that deliver 7kW charging speed. Your EV can gain roughly 30 miles of range for every hour of charging. The free charging points are mostly located in:

London area (Alperton, Nine Elms, East Maypole)
Birmingham region
Manchester and Liverpool
Bristol and Bath

Some stores now feature rapid 50kW chargers alongside standard 7kW units. This lets you charge up much faster while waiting for your next passenger.

Sainsbury's EV charger access tips

Here's how you can use Sainsbury's free EV charging stations:

Get the Pod Point app before you visit
Most chargers work with simple plug-and-charge setup
Look up availability on Zap-Map or Sainsbury's website before you go

Remember that most Sainsbury's locations limit charging time to 90 minutes. You might pay extra if you stay longer. These stations work best when you need a quick boost rather than a full charge.

Best Sainsbury's stores for PHV drivers

The most useful Sainsbury's locations for taxi and PHV drivers have:

Multiple charging bays that reduce waiting time
Rapid 50kW chargers for quick charging
Extended or 24-hour service that fits your schedule
Central spots near busy passenger areas

London's Nine Elms and Alperton superstores are excellent choices for PHV drivers. They offer multiple charging points in strategic locations. Their closeness to busy areas helps you find new passengers while charging. Stores near major transport hubs or business centres give PHV drivers the best chance to charge while picking up passengers.

7. Free EV Charging at McDonald’s with Pod Point

Image Source: Pod Point

McDonald's has partnered with Pod Point to offer free charging at restaurants nationwide, which provides a great resource for taxi and PHV drivers who need convenient top-ups between fares.

McDonald's free EV charging via Pod Point

McDonald's collaboration with Pod Point now includes complimentary EV charging at over 300 UK restaurants. These 7kW chargers let you add about 30 miles of range while you take a 30-minute meal break. Taxi drivers will find several advantages at these locations:

No payment required (completely free to use)
Available during restaurant opening hours
Located near major routes and urban centres

This partnership creates one of UK's largest rapid charging networks, making EV charging available to more people nationwide.

Best McDonald's locations for quick charges

PHV drivers should consider these McDonald's locations:

Drive-thru locations: These usually have multiple charging bays
24-hour restaurants: Perfect for night shift drivers
Restaurants near major transport hubs: Great spots to find your next fare

London, Manchester, and Leeds restaurants have the highest concentration of chargers, making them ideal for urban taxi operations. Restaurants near motorway junctions are a great way to get rapid charging along intercity routes—especially helpful for airport taxi drivers. The Pod Point or Zap-Map apps help you find the nearest free electric car charging points with immediate availability information.

8. Free Workplace EV Charging Opportunities

Workplaces are a great untapped resource for free EV charging stations near me. Many businesses now install chargers that employees, visitors, and sometimes the public can use.

How to find free workplace EV chargers

More UK businesses provide EV charging as an employee benefit. The Arval Mobility Observatory Barometer research shows that about 17% of companies give free charging to their employees. You can find these locations by:

Using Zap-Map and filtering for workplace chargers that are "free to use"
Networking with local businesses through taxi forums and driver communities
Asking businesses directly about using their charging facilities during off-peak times

The number of businesses with workplace charging will double next year. Currently, 20% have chargers available while 40% plan to install them within 12 months.

Workplace Charging Scheme benefits

The government's Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) gives businesses substantial incentives to install chargers:

Covers up to 75% of purchase and installation costs (including VAT)
Maximum of £350 per socket
Capped at 40 sockets across all sites per applicant
Total potential funding of £14,000 per business

The government has spent £15.8 million since 2016 to help install 42,104 workplace charge points through this scheme. This creates more potential charging locations that professional drivers can use.

Tips for taxi drivers to access workplace chargers

PHV operators can use workplace chargers as reliable alternatives to busy public networks:

Build relationships with local businesses that don't use their chargers much
Offer rides to employees in exchange for charging access
Contact companies with night shifts that might let you use chargers during overnight hours when staff don't need them

Many businesses let local residents use their chargers outside office hours. Dealerships are also excellent options since they provide free charging for demonstrator vehicles, courtesy cars, and vehicles getting serviced. Nearly one-quarter of all WCS vouchers have been redeemed in the last year. This expanding workplace charging network creates more free charging opportunities for taxi drivers across the country.

9. Hidden Free Chargers at Garden Centres

Garden centres have become valuable pitstops that offer free EV charging stations near me across the UK. These horticultural havens give taxi or PHV drivers perfect charging opportunities between fares, with amenities to enjoy during the wait.

Best garden centres for free EV top-ups

Dobbies' Royston location shines with 16 ultra-rapid 150kW charging bays that offer CCS and CHAdeMO connectors. This high capacity means shorter waiting times—perfect for taxi drivers with tight schedules. Carr Gate Garden Centre's eight high-powered chargers can add 100 miles of range in 15-20 minutes. PHV drivers around Wakefield will find this an excellent quick-charge option. Tingley Garden Centre stands out with 54 electric vehicle charging units and two rapid charging units. Their chargers draw power from 1200 solar panels and use 100% green electricity as backup when needed.

10. Free EV Charging at Selected Car Parks

UK municipal car parks are great places to find free EV charging stations, but taxi drivers often miss these convenient spots.

Public car parks with free EV charging

Council-operated car parks in UK cities provide free charging facilities. Plymouth leads the way with free options at Coypool, Milehouse and The George park and ride locations. These spots feature 7kW Pod Point chargers and free parking. Q-Park Westminster's BP Pulse chargers need membership access. Crown Car Park in Ipswich has 27 7kW points spread across different levels. Users only pay standard parking fees. The Isle of Wight Council lets EV owners park free while charging. Their locations have both 22kW fast chargers and 50kW rapid options. ChargePlace Scotland keeps offering free charging at many public car parks. Glasgow's Wilson Street and Kelvingrove Art Galleries have 22kW units that are free to use, though parking might cost you.

Best car parks for taxi drivers

PHV operators should look for these features:

24-hour accessible sites – Duke Street and Milehouse car parks in Plymouth let you charge anytime
Car parks with rapid chargers – Newport's Chapel Street Car Park on Isle of Wight has 50kW rapid charging plus 22kW options
Multiple charging bays – Crown Car Park in Ipswich eliminates waiting with its 27 charging points

Taxi drivers should prioritise sites near transport hubs. Car parks next to shopping centres or entertainment venues help secure fares while charging.

11. Free EV Charging at Hotels and B&Bs

UK hotels and B&Bs provide excellent overnight EV charging opportunities. Taxi drivers can take advantage of these longer charging sessions during their extended breaks.

Hotels offering free EV charging

The UK has around 4,700 charging devices at hotels and similar accommodations, which makes up over 6% of all charging points. Premier Inn tops the list with 134 EV charging locations. Holiday Inn follows with 79 locations, while Best Western has 55. Independent B&Bs attract guests by offering complimentary charging. The Ness Guest House showcases this perfectly with four dedicated 11kW Type 2 chargers - one for each guest room. ZeroNet charity supports this initiative and provides free-to-use charging facilities to accommodation providers throughout the hospitality sector.

Booking tips for free EV charging

Before you book:

Call the hotel to verify charging availability rather than relying on third-party websites
Ask if charging comes free or costs extra (typical rates range from £0.25-0.45 per kWh)
Check if you can reserve a charger - IHG properties often allow this
Verify charging speeds since most hotels provide 7kW charging, though some offer faster 22kW options

Hotels with underground secure parking give taxi drivers extra peace of mind when leaving their vehicles overnight.

Best hotel chains for PHV drivers

IHG hotels (Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza) stand out with their superior EV charging infrastructure that keeps improving. Their chargers are resilient with good lighting and easy access. Crowne Plaza properties excel at serving PHV drivers. Their Leeds location features four rapid chargers (up to 50kW) near the entrance. Premier Inn's collaboration with GeniePoint Network has made charging accessible at most of their properties. Smaller B&Bs deliver more customised service. To name just one example, see The Ness Guest House that matches 100% of electricity tariffs to renewable sources - a big plus for eco-conscious drivers.

12. Free EV Charging at Attractions and Museums

Image Source: Smart Home Charge

UK museums and tourist attractions give taxi drivers a perfect chance to find free EV charging stations. You can drop off passengers and charge your vehicle at the same time.

Attractions with free EV charging

Tourist hotspots now provide free charging facilities everywhere. Chester Zoo's car park boasts 26 7kW charging points. The Eden Project features 20 22kW fast chargers for its visitors. Taxi drivers working near theme parks will find Thorpe Park's on-site charging stations useful. The parking and charging costs come together in one package. The National Trust properties in Wales alone have over 36 charging points. This makes it easy to charge while dropping tourists. Several Historic Houses members also provide EV charging. These include Holkham Hall in Norfolk, Doddington Hall in Lincolnshire, and Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire.

Top museums offering free EV chargers

The British Motor Museum sets a great example with multiple EV charging points that any visitor can use. The Black Country Living Museum has 13 Pod Point chargers and several more just a short walk away. London taxi drivers can find charging spots at Imperial College Campus near the Natural History Museum. The National Maritime Museum has convenient charging points on Trafalgar Road. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Scotland stands out. It has a Chargeplace Scotland station nearby and 16 chargers at Bunhouse Car Park.

Combining sightseeing with charging

Smart taxi and PHV drivers plan their routes around tourist spots that offer free charging. Cliveden ranks as 2024's most EV-friendly tourist spot. This makes it ideal to recharge while your passengers explore. The Titanic Museum in Belfast has two 3kW chargers. Portsmouth Historic Dockyard provides four charging stations. These spots work great for drivers on coastal routes. Zap-Map shows tourist attractions have about 293 free devices across the country. The availability changes often. Check the charger status on real-time apps before you head out.

13. Using Zap-Map and PlugShare to Find Hidden Free Chargers

Smart digital tools help taxi and PHV drivers locate free chargers among thousands of paid options. Two apps have become vital for drivers who want to reduce charging costs—Zap-Map and PlugShare.

How to use Zap-Map for free EV charging

The UK's leading EV charging platform is Zap-Map, which maps about 95% of public charge points. Here's how you can locate free charging points:

Open the app and tap the "Philtres" icon
Under "Payment," select "free to use"
Apply the philtre to see all free charging stations

The UK has only 4% of charging devices that are free to use in 2024. This makes the filtering feature vital for drivers who watch their costs. Zap-Map shows immediate status data for about 75% of charge points. This helps you avoid wasted trips to occupied or faulty chargers.

Finding hidden free chargers with PlugShare

PlugShare takes a community-driven approach with more than 5,800,000 crowd-sourced reviews and 725,000 driver photos. This makes it great for finding lesser-known free chargers. You can access PlugShare's dedicated free charging map by:

Visiting PlugShare.com/map/free-ev-stations
Applying additional philtres for connector types that work with your vehicle
Checking user ratings to find reliable free stations

The platform's user community makes it special. Drivers update information about new free chargers often, especially at independent businesses not linked to major networks.

Tips for immediate charger updates

Free chargers are in high demand, so real-time status information is essential. These practical tips can help:

Pick off-peak hours to charge when free stations are more accessible
Set up custom philtres on Zap-Map (Premium subscribers can save unlimited philtres)
Use PlugShare's "Pay with PlugShare" feature at participating locations when free options aren't available
Look through community chat sections on both apps—drivers often share tips about hidden free chargers

Taxi drivers working long shifts should check charger availability before heading to a location. This saves time and prevents unnecessary detours.

Conclusion

Free EV charging stations have declined sharply across the UK. Yet taxi and PHV drivers can still access nearly 1,900 free charging points nationwide. These hidden gems—from supermarket car parks to leisure centres—help drivers save substantially compared to standard paid networks. Zap-Map and PlugShare apps are great tools to find these hard-to-spot free chargers live. Smart drivers should focus on specific locations throughout the UK. Premier Inn hotels, National Trust's properties, and Aldi's supermarkets continue to offer reliable free charging. Garden centres have become excellent alternatives, with Tingley Garden Centre's massive 54-unit installation showing remarkable generosity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any locations in the UK where I can charge my electric vehicle for free?

Yes, there are still some free EV charging options available in the UK. These include selected supermarkets like Aldi and Sainsbury's, certain National Trust properties, some Premier Inn hotels, and various garden centres. Additionally, ChargePlace Scotland offers an extensive network of free chargers for a one-time £10 fee.

How can I find hidden free EV charging stations near me?

You can use apps like Zap-Map and PlugShare to locate free charging points. On Zap-Map, philtre for "free to use" under the Payment options. PlugShare offers a dedicated free charging map and community-sourced information about lesser-known free chargers.

Which supermarkets offer free EV charging for customers?

Aldi and Sainsbury's are among the supermarkets that still offer free EV charging at select locations. Aldi provides free charging at many new store locations, while Sainsbury's maintains free charging points at approximately 25 stores across the UK.

Can I find free EV charging at tourist attractions and museums?

Yes, many tourist attractions and museums offer free EV charging. For example, Chester Zoo has 26 free charging points, the Eden Project provides 20 fast chargers, and various National Trust properties across the UK offer complimentary charging facilities for visitors.