Electric Vehicles

Best Public EV Charging Points Across Lancashire and Greater Manchester

By Marcus Taylor 30 August 2024 6 min read

Electric Vehicles

Lancashire and Greater Manchester now have over 1,500 public EV charging points across more than 600 locations, with the network growing rapidly. Charging costs range from free (at some supermarkets and public car parks) to 79p per kWh at the most expensive motorway rapid chargers. Knowing where to find reliable, affordable charging is essential for EV drivers, whether you rely on public chargers because you lack a home charger or you just need a top-up while out and about. Here is a practical guide to the best public charging across the region.

The charging landscape is evolving quickly, with new chargers appearing every month. The Zap-Map app is the most comprehensive real-time map of UK charging points and should be every Lancashire EV driver’s first download. But knowing which networks are reliable, which are cheapest and where the gaps are saves time and frustration. Here is our local knowledge.

Free Charging Locations

Several locations across Lancashire and Greater Manchester offer free or very low-cost charging:

Tesco (via Pod Point): Many Tesco stores across the region offer free 7kW charging while you shop. Locations with confirmed free chargers include stores in Preston, Burnley, Blackburn, Bolton, Bury and multiple Manchester locations. You plug in, do your shopping, and unplug when you return – no app or payment needed. Typically adds 20-30 miles of range during a 45-minute shop.

Lidl and Aldi: Selected stores have free chargers, though the rollout is less comprehensive than Tesco. Check Zap-Map for specific locations with chargers.

Council car parks: Some local authority car parks in Lancashire offer free or low-cost slow charging. Lancaster, Preston and several Greater Manchester boroughs have installed chargers in public car parks. You may need to pay for parking but the charging itself is sometimes free.

Destination charging: Some hotels, leisure centres and visitor attractions offer free charging for guests and visitors. The Ribble Valley and Forest of Bowland areas have several accommodation providers with complimentary EV charging.

Best Rapid Charging Hubs

When you need a fast charge (50kW+), these are the most reliable and best-value options across the region:

Gridserve Electric Highway: Operating at many motorway service stations along the M6, M61, M65 and M62. Prices around 49-59p per kWh for contactless payment, with lower rates for subscribers. Reliability has improved significantly since Gridserve took over the old Ecotricity network. Key locations include Lancaster services (M6), Rivington services (M61) and Birch services (M62).

Instavolt: One of the most reliable networks in the UK with chargers at retail parks, petrol stations and standalone locations. Contactless payment at 79p per kWh (no app required). Locations across Lancashire include Blackburn, Burnley, Preston, Chorley and Lancaster. Expensive per kWh but consistently available and working.

Tesla Superchargers: Several locations across the region including Manchester and Preston. Originally Tesla-only, many are now open to all EVs via the Tesla app. Pricing is competitive (around 50-60p per kWh for non-Tesla vehicles). The Manchester Trafford Centre has a large Supercharger hub.

BP Pulse: Chargers at BP petrol stations across Lancashire and Manchester. Prices around 55-79p per kWh depending on speed and subscription status. Mixed reliability reviews but improving.

MFG/GeniePoint: Found at MFG (Motor Fuel Group) petrol stations. Prices around 65-75p per kWh. Coverage across Lancashire is growing with chargers at various forecourt locations.

Destination and Slow Charging

For charging while parked for longer periods (shopping, working, dining), these networks offer good coverage:

Be.EV: Greater Manchester’s largest public charging network, managed by the combined authority. Chargers at public car parks, transport hubs and on-street locations across all ten boroughs. Mix of 7kW and 22kW chargers. Pricing around 30-45p per kWh. The network has grown rapidly and is the backbone of Manchester’s public charging infrastructure.

Shell Recharge: Chargers at Shell petrol stations and some destination locations. App-based payment with prices around 55-65p per kWh for rapid, lower for slower chargers.

Connected Kerb: On-street residential charging in some Manchester neighbourhoods. Designed for residents without driveways who park on the street. 7kW charging at reasonable rates.

Charging by Area

Here is a quick guide to charging availability in different parts of the region:

Central Manchester: Excellent coverage. Be.EV chargers throughout the city centre, NCP car parks with chargers, multiple rapid charging hubs. No issues finding a charge.

South Manchester (Stockport, Trafford, Tameside): Good coverage. Tesla Superchargers at the Trafford Centre, multiple Be.EV locations, supermarket chargers throughout. Growing network.

North Manchester (Bury, Rochdale, Oldham): Improving but patchier. Main town centres have chargers but coverage in smaller towns and villages is limited. Supermarket chargers are the most reliable option.

Preston: Reasonable coverage in the city centre and at retail parks. Several rapid chargers on the M6 corridor. The university campus area has growing provision.

Blackburn and Burnley: Improving from a low base. Key locations have chargers but the overall density is lower than Manchester. Supermarket chargers are valuable here.

Lancaster and Morecambe: Decent coverage for the size of the area. University campus, city centre car parks and M6 services all have chargers. Rural areas north of Lancaster are sparse.

Ribble Valley and rural Lancashire: The weakest coverage. Clitheroe, Longridge and the villages have very limited public charging. If you live rurally and drive an EV, home charging is almost essential. Our guide to EV charger installation covers home charging options.

Tips for Reliable Public Charging

Download multiple apps: Different charging networks require different apps. Install Zap-Map (for finding chargers), plus the apps for the networks you use most frequently (Be.EV, BP Pulse, Gridserve, Instavolt). Some chargers accept contactless payment without an app.
Check live availability: Zap-Map shows real-time charger status (available, in use, out of order). Check before driving to a charger to avoid arriving at a broken or occupied unit.
Have a backup plan: Know two or three charging locations near your regular routes. If your preferred charger is occupied or faulty, having an alternative saves stress.
Charge little and often: Rather than running to near-empty and needing a rapid charge, top up whenever you are near a convenient charger. A 20-minute boost at a rapid charger or a slow charge while shopping keeps your battery in a comfortable range.
Join subscription plans: If you use public charging regularly, network subscriptions (e.g., BP Pulse subscription, Gridserve membership) can reduce per-kWh costs by 10-20%.

Is the public charging network reliable enough to live with?

If you have home charging, public chargers are a convenient supplement and the network is more than adequate for occasional use. If you rely entirely on public charging (no driveway or home charger), it is workable in Manchester and larger Lancashire towns but challenging in rural areas. Reliability has improved significantly over the past two years, though out-of-service chargers remain a frustration at some locations.

How do I pay for public charging?

Most networks accept contactless payment (debit or credit card) directly at the charger, though you may pay a premium compared to app-based payment. Some older chargers require an RFID card or app. The industry is moving towards universal contactless payment, and from 2024 all new rapid chargers (50kW+) must accept contactless as standard.

Can I charge at someone else’s home charger?

Platforms like co-charger and JustCharge allow homeowners to share their private EV chargers with other drivers, similar to Airbnb for charging. Rates are set by the host and are typically cheaper than public chargers. If you live in a Lancashire street where a neighbour has a home charger, it is worth asking if they would be willing to let you charge occasionally for a fair payment.