Lamp-post and on-street charging

Lamp-post and kerbside chargers let people without a driveway charge outside their home. They are common in London and growing in other cities. Networks include Shell Recharge (ubitricity), char.gy, Connected Kerb and Trojan Energy.

What you need

• Your own Type 2 cable, usually 5 to 10 metres. Lamp-post sockets have no cable. See Which cable do I need?
• The network's app or a contactless card if the charger accepts one. Some councils' chargers use a QR code on the post.

How fast?

Most lamp-post chargers give 3.6 to 5.5 kW, about 12 to 18 miles of range per hour. Kerbside chargers from some networks give 7 kW. Overnight, that adds 100 miles or more.

Parking rules

On-street charging bays may be:

• Charging only, with a time limit, enforced by the council.
• Shared with ordinary parking, where you need a residents' permit too.

Read the signs on the post and the bay. Overstaying can bring a penalty charge notice.

Costs

Prices are set by the network and the council. They are often higher per kWh than a home EV tariff but cheaper than rapid charging. Check the tariff in the app before you plug in.

Find on-street chargers near you on your postcode page.