Char.gy Charging Station Network: A How-To Use Guide
Who and what is the Char.gy EV charging network?
Established in 2016, UK-based manufacturer and chargepoint operator Char.gy decided to revolutionise mobility, committing to bringing accessible EV chargers to the 40% of households without off-street parking. The idea? To transform already existing on-street infrastructure, such as bollards and lampposts, into viable EV charging points.
Their dedication to mobility also goes hand in hand with sustainable practices. All Char.gy charging stations are powered from 100% renewable energy from Octopus Energy. In fact, 19.6 million kg of CO2 have been saved since its inception. Plus, Char.gy has recently been crowned a B-Corp, showcasing its standards of social and environmental performance and accountability.
Where do I find Char.gy chargers?
Across the board, Char.gy EV charging stations are growing – fast. In fact, they’ve already reached the 4,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging point milestone.
And there are no plans to slow down. Char.gy has already committed to bringing another 100,000 chargers by 2030, using the £100 million funding from Zouk Capital. Soon, their EV charging points could be as widespread as other EV charging networks such as BP Pulse and Shell Recharge.
Especially given the backing from UK councils. Already, they’ve been chosen by 18 local authorities in the UK, including:
To specifically find Char.gy EV chargers near you, use the Charg.gy app or other apps like Zap-Map.
However, if you’re tech-averse or simply curious, as a rule of thumb, you’ll find the chargers dotted on residential streets: think terraced houses, townhouses, rural homes, apartments or multi-family dwellings.
If you’re still unsure, go outside and take a look. Pay close attention to kerbs and lampposts, Char.gy EV charging points often piggyback on these types of on-street charging infrastructure.
What do Char.gy chargers look like?
Currently, there are two types of Char.gy charging stations:
- Bollard charging: A tall, cylindrical socketed 1.5 m bollard-like EV charger in glossy black, with tapered circular tops. Found kerbside, these bollard chargers only come with Type 2 sockets.
- Lamp post chargers: Reminiscent of a SodaStream, the Char.gy lamp post EV charger is a long, black rectangular EV charging point mounted to lampposts. They are socketed (untethered) EV chargers and come with a Type 2 socket only.
How much does it cost to charge at a Char.gy charging station?
Char.gy prices UK are the following:
| Day tariff | 7:00am to 12:00am | 59p per kWh |
| Night tariff | 12:00am to 7:00am | 39p per kWh |
Char.gy costs are based on: https://char.gy/drivers.
How do I pay for the Char.gy charging network?
Char.gy keeps payments frictionless with multiple pay-as-you-go options:
- Scan the QR code on the charging station, type in the Char.gy web ID and pay instantly and on the go with Apple Pay, Google Pay, or your debit or credit card.
- Use the Char.gy app to start, stop, and track your EV charging sessions. Download the Charg.gy app on App Store or Google Play.
- Tap into roaming platforms like Zap-Pay or Octopus Electroverse.
No RFID cards. No faff. No commitment or connection charges.
What charging speeds are available with Char.gy network?
The spectrum of Char.gy charging station speeds ranges from 3kW to 22kW, depending on the model and available electricity. Expect lower rates for lamppost-mounted chargers, at around 3-7kW, with 5kW being the common maximum, as the supply for lampposts is more restricted than the bollard chargers.
Conclusion – Is the Char.gy EV charging network good?
Char.gy charging stations are revolutionary for electric car drivers in general. The brilliance? How it seamlessly weaves EV charging into the UK’s urban fabric using existing street infrastructure, reducing the need for new hardware, and upcycling infrastructure to do double-duty jobs.
But the core benefits of Char.gy stem from its inclusivity. While any electric vehicle driver can take advantage of these kerbside charging points, the real benefiters are EV drivers with on-street parking. By placing chargers where people actually live and park, even at places like terraced streets, EV ownership becomes more accessible, especially in areas where traditional 7kW home EV chargers are tricky to install, offering an easier way to charge than public charging.
In need of an EV charging solution?
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If you’re ready for cheaper, greener electricity, browse our market-leading range of EV chargers below, get your free charger and installation quote, or contact us at 03333 44 96 99 for unbiased advice to find your perfect set-up.
