Your rights at public EV chargers

Know the maximum price before you start

The maximum charging price must be clearly displayed in pence per kilowatt hour (p/kWh), or pounds per kilowatt hour (£/kWh), before charging starts. It can be on the charger or a separate device, such as an app, but you must not need a pre-existing operator contract to see it.

Connection fees, transaction fees and other fixed charging fees must be included in that maximum p/kWh price. Roaming mark-ups and additional charging fees must also be shown in the same format. Separate parking fees charged by a third party are excluded; where charging and parking are sold together, the charging portion must still be shown separately.

A variable or off-peak price can go up and down during a session, but what you are charged must not exceed the maximum shown before you started. This is not a government price cap.

Contactless bank-card payment

Since 24 November 2024, public chargers rated 50kW or above must offer contactless. New public chargers rated 8kW or above deployed after that date must also offer it. An older 7kW or 22kW charger is not automatically covered by this contactless rule.

A nearby shared payment terminal can serve several chargers at the same site. It must accept contactless bank cards, without a pre-existing operator contract; an app or QR code alone is not enough. Free-to-use chargers are exempt. A proprietary network opening a site to other drivers has one year from that opening to provide contactless where required.

99% reliability across the rapid network

Operators must achieve 99% reliability as an average across their rapid network, measured over a calendar year. That is not a promise that every individual charger will work 99% of the time, or a guarantee that a charger will be available when you arrive.

Operators must publish information about compliance on their websites and submit annual reliability reports. The first report was due by 14 January 2026, covering 2025; later reports are due by 14 January for the preceding calendar year. The full report itself does not have to be public.

Free, staffed help at any time

Since 24 November 2024, operators must provide a free-to-use telephone helpline staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with its number displayed at the charger. An automated recording alone is not a staffed helpline.

At least one roaming app or card

Since 24 November 2025, operators must let you pay at their paid public chargers through at least one third-party roaming provider. This lets you use an app or RFID card across different networks. It does not mean every roaming card is accepted, or that roaming costs the same as paying directly.

The provider must be separate from the operator and accessible to consumers and fleets. Apple Pay or Google Pay alone does not satisfy this roaming requirement. Free-to-use chargers are exempt.

What to do if something's wrong

1. Keep the details. Note the operator, site, charger identifier, date and time. Keep a photo or screenshot of the advertised price, any error and your receipt.
2. Call the operator. Use the helpline displayed at the charger for immediate charging or payment help. Explain the problem and ask for a reference and response.
3. Raise a suspected rules breach with OPSS. The Office for Product Safety and Standards enforces these regulations. Explain which requirement concerns you and include the evidence. The guidance lists techproductssector.opss@businessandtrade.gov.uk and telephone 0121 345 1201 for enquiries and advice. Call charges may apply.

OPSS can require operators to put breaches right and can issue civil penalties. Contacting OPSS is not the same as getting a refund from the operator; the guidance does not promise individual compensation.

Compare the public charging prices we check before your next stop, and confirm the displayed price and payment options at the charger.

Source and scope

Written by Matt Ford · 8 November 2026. This guide is based only on GOV.UK: Public Charge Point Regulations 2023 guidance, including its pricing, contactless, reliability, helpline, payment roaming and enforcement sections. The guidance covers publicly accessible UK charging; private home chargers and other excluded installations are outside its scope.