Ubitricity Charging Network Guide: Costs, Speeds & Locations

Next in our public EV charging network series is Ubitricity, the UK’s largest on-street EV charging network, using pre-existing street furniture, specifically lampposts and bollards, to install untethered Type 2 5kW EV chargers for EV drivers struggling to get a home charger. Shell Recharge and Ubitricity are under the same company, and when out and about, you may have seen that the Ubitricity network is being officially rebranded as Shell Recharge.

But is Ubitricity a good charging network? Where can you find Ubitricity’s lamppost charging stations? How much does it cost to charge your electric car with Ubitricity?

We dive into this and more in our Ubitricity guide.

What is Ubitricity?

Ubitricity is the UK’s largest electric vehicle (EV) charge point operator, offering public on-street charging points on lampposts. Aimed at providing easy charging for EV drivers who can’t easily have a home EV charger installed, such as in densely populated urban areas, flats, apartments and terraced houses.

A humongous 14,200 Ubitricity charge points are spread across the UK, due to their close relationships with over 30 local authorities. An additional 20,000 charging stations are available in Europe too!

RELATED: How To Charge Your EV If You Live in a Flat or Apartment.

Who owns Ubitricity?

Ubitricity is owned by the Shell Recharge EV charging network, having been acquired in 2021.

When out and about, you may have already seen that the Ubitricity charging network is currently in the process of a rebrand, with its Ubitricity lamppost charging stations being converted into a fully fledged Shell Recharge ecosystem.

Where are Ubitricity charging stations found?

In short, lampposts. Ubitricity’s unique selling point is that the chargers are installed on pre-existing infrastructure, most notably lampposts and bollards. Search around and see if there are any lamppost charging stations available; there might be one right on your street.

How do I find Ubitricity charging stations near me?

• Use Ubitricity’s live map
• Zap-Map app
• Shell Recharge App

Please note: there is no specific Ubitricity app; the main chargepoint operator app is the Shell Recharge app.

What do Ubitricity charging stations look like?

Ubitricity EV chargers are unique; entirely different to the public charging stations you’d usually see, which are big, bulky equipment. As they are installed on pre-existing on-street furniture, they look exactly like lampposts or bollards, only with a connector ready for an EV charger cable and a ring of LED lights.

How do I charge at Ubitricity lamppost charging stations?

1. Locate your nearest Ubitricity bollard or lamppost charging station
2. Check the parking permits and check you can park nearby. You may be subject to parking fees on top of your charging
3. Take the cover off your connector port and plug in with your charging cable
4. Scan the QR code or use the Shell app
5. Complete the payment to start your charging session
6. Once you’re finished, press stop and make sure you put your charging cable back in your boot

What charging speeds are available?

Are they free?

Unfortunately, no – Ubitricity doesn’t offer any free EV charging.

How much does it cost to charge an electric car with Ubitricity?

Since April 2026, Ubitricity pay-as-you-go pricing is as follows:

Costs can vary from app provider to app provider.

Note: A £40 pre-authorisation fee will be taken when you first plug in to check you have sufficient funds. This will be released, and you won’t actually be charged.

Are there any hidden extra costs?

No: there are no additional costs. There are no subscription costs or connection fees.

Are there any idle costs?

Yes, there are idle fees of 5p per minute at 7-22 kW chargers from 8 am – 8 pm.

There is a 60-minute grace period.

Can you claim VAT?

Yes, businesses can claim 20% VAT back on EV charging, whether that’s fleets or employees charging a business vehicle.

How can I pay for Ubitricity?

• Shell Recharge app
• Pay-As-You-Go: Scan the QR Code and pay with your credit/debit card or Apple Pay/Google Pay
• Other third-party E-Mobility apps: Zap-Map and Electroverse

Slash EV charging costs by swapping costly public charging for cheaper, greener and more convenient home EV charging – even if you have on-street parking.

As one of the UK’s leading nationwide EV charging experts, get complete peace of mind as we supply, install and manage your EV charger installation from start to finish. DNO notification, grant application, charger choice, advice and more are all included in our inclusive packages – with first-class customer service throughout.

Don’t believe us? Take a look at thousands of Trustpilot reviews from our happy customers. Spoiler: We’re rated 4.9 Excellent. 

Alternatively, discover our long list of credentials:

• Safe Isolation Provider
• TrustMark approved
• ISO accredited (ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001)
• OZEV-approved
• NICEIC approved
• Safe Contractor Approved
• HERS accredited
• 40,000 installations

When you’re ready, browse our wide range of electric car chargers or get a free EV charger and installation quote below, or call one of our EV charging experts at 03333 44 96 99.