EV Charging Etiquette and Tips for Lancashire Public Chargers

Lancashire’s public EV charging network has grown to over 800 charging points across the county, but navigating it smoothly takes a bit of know-how. From understanding which apps you need to knowing when to move your car, here is a practical guide to public charging in Lancashire that will help you charge quickly, cheaply, and without annoying fellow EV drivers.

The Unwritten Rules of Public EV Charging

EV charging etiquette has evolved organically as more drivers have gone electric. While none of these are legal requirements, following them makes life better for everyone sharing Lancashire’s charging infrastructure:

Move your car when charging is complete. This is the number one rule. Once your car has finished charging, move it as soon as practically possible to free up the charger for the next person. Some chargers in Preston and Lancaster city centres now charge idle fees of 15p to 50p per minute after your charging session ends, specifically to discourage hogging.

Do not unplug someone else’s car. Even if it looks like their charge is complete, never disconnect another car. Most EVs lock the cable during charging, so you physically cannot unplug them anyway, but even when unlocked, it is not your call to make. Leave a polite note on the windscreen if you need the charger urgently.

Do not use a rapid charger if you do not need rapid charging. Rapid chargers (50kW+) are limited resources, especially on the M6 motorway services. If you have time and there is a slower 7kW or 22kW charger available, use that instead and leave the rapids for people who need a quick top-up to continue their journey.

Only charge to 80% on rapids. Charging slows dramatically above 80% on most EVs. What takes 30 minutes from 10% to 80% can take another 30 minutes from 80% to 100%. Finishing at 80% means you use the charger for half the time, benefiting everyone waiting.

Do not park in EV charging bays without charging. This happens regularly in Lancashire car parks, particularly at supermarkets in Preston, Blackburn, and Burnley. An ICE vehicle (internal combustion engine) in a charging bay is referred to as being “ICEd.” While not illegal in most Lancashire car parks, it is inconsiderate and some private car parks are now fining offenders.

Apps and Cards You Need for Lancashire Charging

Unlike filling up with petrol, public EV charging requires different apps or RFID cards depending on the network. Lancashire’s charging points are operated by several different companies. Here are the ones you will encounter most often:

• BP Pulse – The largest network in Lancashire with chargers at BP garages, supermarkets, and public car parks. Download the BP Pulse app and register a payment method. Their rapid chargers cost 65p to 79p per kWh.
• Osprey – Found at motorway services and some retail locations. Pay by contactless card or the Osprey app. Rates are around 70p to 85p per kWh for rapid charging.
• Connected Kerb – On-street chargers in some Lancashire residential areas. Use their app for 7kW charging at around 35p to 45p per kWh.
• GeniePoint – Found in some Lancashire council car parks and shopping centres. App-based with 7kW to 50kW chargers at 40p to 65p per kWh.
• Tesla Supercharger – Now open to non-Tesla vehicles at some locations. Use the Tesla app. Rates are competitive at 55p to 65p per kWh for rapid charging.
• Pod Point – Found at Tesco stores and Lidl car parks across Lancashire. Many Tesco chargers are free (7kW) while you shop. Download the Pod Point app to check availability and activate.

An aggregator app like Zap-Map or A Better Route Planner shows all chargers on one map, regardless of network. Zap-Map also shows real-time availability, which is invaluable for finding a working charger in Lancashire towns where demand can outstrip supply at peak times.

Best Charging Locations Across Lancashire

Preston: The Capitol Centre has multiple rapid chargers, and Preston bus station car park has several 7kW points. The Tesco Extra on Blackpool Road offers free Pod Point chargers. Riversway has a BP Pulse hub with rapid charging.

Blackburn: The Boulevard retail park has rapid chargers, and several council car parks have 7kW points. The Cathedral Quarter car park is a convenient town centre option.

Burnley: Charter Walk shopping centre car park has chargers, and the Sainsbury’s on Active Way has Pod Point chargers. The M65 junction 10 area has several rapid options.

Lancaster: The Williamson Park car park has chargers, and the city centre multi-stories are gradually adding EV points. The Lancaster Services on the M6 has rapid chargers from multiple networks.

Blackpool: The town has improved its charging infrastructure significantly, with chargers at the Houndshill Shopping Centre car park, Central Car Park, and several seafront locations. The Tesco and Sainsbury’s stores also offer charging.

Public Charging Costs vs Home Charging

There is a significant cost difference between public and home charging. At current rates:

• Home charging (standard tariff) – 24.5p per kWh, or roughly 7p per mile
• Home charging (off-peak tariff) – 7.5p per kWh, or roughly 2p per mile
• Public slow/fast (7-22kW) – 35p to 50p per kWh, or 10p to 14p per mile
• Public rapid (50kW+) – 60p to 85p per kWh, or 17p to 24p per mile
• Free chargers (Tesco, some hotels) – £0, or 0p per mile

The lesson is clear: charge at home whenever possible. Use public charging for top-ups during longer journeys or when you are parked for an extended period (shopping, cinema, gym). Take advantage of free chargers at Tesco and other retailers whenever the opportunity arises.

Troubleshooting Common Charging Problems

Charger says it is in use but no car is connected. This happens when a previous session did not end cleanly. Try tapping your card or app to start a new session. If it still shows as in use, report the fault through the network’s app.

The cable will not connect or lock. Make sure you are using the correct connector type. Most modern EVs use CCS for rapid charging and Type 2 for slower charging. Some older chargers may have CHAdeMO connectors that do not fit most non-Japanese EVs. In cold Lancashire weather, ice can occasionally form around charge ports – a blast of warm air from the car’s heated windscreen function can help.

Charging is much slower than expected. Several factors cause this. Cold batteries charge slower, so on a January morning in Burnley your charging speed may be 30% to 50% lower than on a summer day. The charger may be shared with another vehicle, splitting the available power. Your car’s battery management system may limit speed to protect battery health above 80%.

Payment fails. Some older chargers have intermittent card reader issues. Always have the relevant app as a backup. Some networks also accept PayPal if your card is declined. If all else fails, move to the next charger.

Planning Longer Journeys From Lancashire

Lancashire is well-served for longer EV journeys thanks to good motorway charging coverage on the M6, M61, M65, and M55. Key rapid charging stops include Lancaster Services (M6), Forton Services (M6), Charnock Richard Services (M6), Rivington Services (M61), and Blackburn Services (M65).

A Better Route Planner (ABRP) is the best tool for planning EV trips. Enter your car model, starting charge level, and destination, and it calculates the optimal charging stops. It accounts for Lancashire’s hilly terrain, which affects range – climbing over the Pennines to Yorkshire uses noticeably more battery than the flat run across the Fylde to Blackpool.

For trips to the Lake District, be aware that rapid charger coverage in Cumbria is sparser than in Lancashire. Plan to charge fully before leaving the M6 corridor, especially in winter when range drops.

Do I need multiple charging apps?

In practice, yes. Having three or four apps covers most Lancashire chargers: BP Pulse, Osprey, Pod Point, and one aggregator like Zap-Map. Many chargers now accept contactless card payment as well, so you do not always need the specific network app, but the apps usually offer slightly lower per-kWh rates than card payment.

Is it safe to charge in the rain?

Absolutely. EV charging equipment is designed and tested for outdoor use in all weather conditions, including heavy rain. Lancashire’s frequent rain is no obstacle to safe charging. The connectors, cables, and charge ports are waterproof and include multiple safety interlocks. You will not get a shock, and the equipment will not be damaged.

What happens if I run out of charge in Lancashire?

Running out of charge (the EV equivalent of running out of petrol) is rare but possible. If it happens, your car will warn you well in advance and reduce performance to extend range. Most breakdown services (RAC, AA, Green Flag) now carry mobile EV chargers that can give you enough charge to reach the nearest charging point. Many will tow you to a charger for free as part of standard breakdown cover.