EV Charging at Gatwick Airport: The Complete 2026 Guide
Gatwick Airport is now one of the best-served airports in the UK for electric vehicle charging – and arguably the best of any major UK airport. Since the GRIDSERVE Electric Forecourt opened on airport grounds in January 2024, EV drivers arriving or departing from Gatwick have access to ultra-rapid 350kW charging, Tesla Superchargers, cheaper Pod Point chargers in the Short Stay car parks, and the APH Park and Ride with EV Charging for those who want their car charged while they fly. This guide covers all of it: every charging option at and around Gatwick in 2026, with current pricing, locations, connector types, what to bring, and honest advice on which option suits which situation.
Quick decision guide – which Gatwick EV charging option is right for you?
- Flying and want your car charged while you are away – APH Park and Ride with EV Charging or Gatwick Valet Parking with charging add-on
- Need a rapid charge before or after your flight – GRIDSERVE Electric Forecourt (on-airport, 24/7, up to 350kW)
- Cheapest on-airport kWh rate – Pod Point chargers in Short Stay car parks (22kW, £0.25/kWh) – but short stay parking fees apply
- Tesla driver – London Gatwick Supercharger at the GRIDSERVE forecourt (up to 250kW, £0.37-£0.47/kWh)
- Picking someone up and want a top-up – Short Stay car park Pod Point (first come, first served)
- Cheapest overall near Gatwick – Motorline Hyundai Gatwick (free 7kW, dealership hours only, ~4.5 miles)
Gatwick’s EV Charging in 2026 – What Has Changed
The original version of this guide was written when Gatwick’s charging infrastructure was still developing. Since then, two things have transformed the picture for EV drivers at Gatwick:
- The GRIDSERVE Electric Forecourt opened in January 2024 – 30 charging bays on airport grounds including 22 high-power chargers up to 350kW, Tesla Superchargers, and AC chargers. Open 24/7, no need for an app to pay (contactless accepted), with Costa Coffee, Little Fresh convenience store, lounge, and meeting room on-site. This increased Gatwick’s on-airport charging capacity five-fold overnight.
- GRIDSERVE pricing updated in 2026 – the flat £0.79/kWh cited in older guides is no longer accurate. High-power DC charging via the GRIDSERVE app is £0.79/kWh; via contactless it is now location-based at £0.82-£0.89/kWh. AC charging at the forecourt (up to 22kW) is £0.59/kWh. Always check the charger screen or the GRIDSERVE app for the current site price before plugging in.
Everything else – the Short Stay car park Pod Points, the APH Park and Ride EV charging, and the nearby hotel and supermarket chargers – remains broadly as before, with some pricing updates noted below.
Gatwick EV Charging Options – Quick Comparison 2026
| Location | Distance | Max Power | Cost (per kWh) | Key Network/App | 24/7? | Cable Needed? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GRIDSERVE Electric Forecourt | On airport | 350kW DC | 79p (app) / 82-89p (contactless) DC; 59p AC | GRIDSERVE app or contactless | Yes | No (tethered) |
| London Gatwick Supercharger (Tesla) | On airport (at forecourt) | 250kW DC | 37p-47p (Tesla rate) | Tesla account | Yes | No (tethered) |
| Short Stay South (Car Park 3, Level 1) | On airport | 22kW AC | 25p (+ parking fee) | Pod Point app | Yes | Yes (Type 2) |
| Short Stay North (Car Park 5, Level 3) | On airport | 22kW AC | 25p (+ parking fee) | Pod Point app | Yes | Yes (Type 2) |
| Gatwick Valet Parking + EV charge add-on | On airport | 22kW AC | Pre-book fee; up to 44kWh per session | Pre-book with Gatwick | No | No |
| APH Park and Ride with EV Charging | 4.3 miles | 7.4kW | £39.99 / 30kWh or £59.99 / 60kWh (flat fee) | Pre-book via APH | Yes | Yes (Type 2) |
| Holiday Inn Gatwick (bp pulse) | 1.5 miles | 50kW DC | 59p AC / ~79p DC (bp pulse rates) | bp pulse app | No | No (tethered DC) |
| Tesco Extra Gatwick (Hookwood) | 1.6 miles | 7kW AC | 44-49p | Pod Point app | Yes | Yes (Type 2) |
| Q-Park/Purple Parking (bp pulse hub) | 4.5 miles | 150kW DC | 59p-85p (bp pulse rates) | bp pulse app / contactless | Yes | No (tethered DC) |
| Gatwick (County Oak) Tesla Supercharger | 4.2 miles | 250kW DC | 61p (Tesla); non-Tesla via Tesla app | Tesla account | Yes | No (tethered) |
| Motorline Hyundai Gatwick | 4.5 miles | 7kW AC | Free (ask permission) | None | Dealer hours only | No |
Prices correct at June 2026. Always check the charger screen, app, or Zapmap for the current rate before starting a session – pricing on public networks changes regularly.
GRIDSERVE Electric Forecourt, Gatwick – Full Guide
The GRIDSERVE Electric Forecourt at Gatwick is the headline option – and rightly so. Located on Ring Road South adjacent to the South Terminal at Horley, RH6 0JB, it is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for charging. The retail building (Costa, Little Fresh convenience store, lounge, bookable meeting room) is open 04:30-22:30 daily.
Chargers and Specs
- Total bays: 30 charging bays, 32 connectors across 26 devices
- High Power DC chargers: 22 bays, up to 350kW. These can add 100 miles of range in under 10 minutes on compatible vehicles. CCS and CHAdeMO connectors, all tethered
- AC chargers: Standalone Type 2 posts at up to 22kW – suitable for slower, cheaper charging while you use the facilities
- Tesla Superchargers: 4 stalls at up to 250kW, for Tesla vehicles at the Tesla rate (£0.37-£0.47/kWh). The on-airport Superchargers are currently Tesla-only; for non-Tesla CCS access, use the County Oak Supercharger 4 miles away
- Power source: 100% net zero energy from GRIDSERVE’s own solar farms
Current Pricing (June 2026)
- DC High Power (via GRIDSERVE app): £0.79/kWh – cheapest rate, requires the free GRIDSERVE app
- DC High Power (contactless): £0.82-£0.89/kWh – location-based pricing, displayed clearly on the charger screen and in the app before you start
- AC Low Power (up to 22kW): £0.59/kWh
- Payment: Contactless card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, GRIDSERVE app, Allstar One Electric, Allstar Visa, Mina Chargepass. No RFID card required – tap and go
Money-saving tip: Download the free GRIDSERVE app before your trip. It locks in the £0.79/kWh rate (vs £0.82-£0.89/kWh contactless), lets you monitor your session remotely, and stores receipts automatically – useful if you need to claim the cost back from an employer.
On-Site Amenities
The GRIDSERVE forecourt is built around the idea that charging time is dwell time – and the facilities reflect that. While your car charges, you can: grab a Costa Coffee or buy food at the Little Fresh convenience store; use the lounge seating area with free Wi-Fi; book the meeting room (seats 12, full AV, climate control) for a pre-flight working session; use accessible washrooms with lifts to all areas. This is genuinely more comfortable than most airport terminals.
APH Park and Ride with EV Charging – Charge While You Fly
The APH Park and Ride with EV Charging at Gatwick is the only option that charges your car while you are on holiday – you do not need to be at the airport. It is the right solution for most EV drivers taking a trip of any length.
- Location: 1 Copthorne Road, Crawley, RH10 3PD – just off the M23, approximately 4.3 miles from the terminals
- How it works: Drive through the automated barrier on arrival. Park in an arrival bay and head to reception to check in. A trained, fully insured APH driver will plug your car in using your own cable and charge it in a secure bay. You take the next available shuttle to the terminal. On your return, your car is fully charged and ready at the car park
- Charging options: 30kWh for £39.99 or 60kWh for £59.99, added to your parking fee. Both use 7.4kW chargers
- What you must bring: Your own Type 2 charging cable. Arrive with at least 5% battery remaining. If your car has valet mode, activate it before handing over the keys
- Shuttle: Runs every 10-15 minutes, 24/7, 365 days a year. Journey approximately 10-12 minutes to either terminal
- Security: Barrier control, CCTV, 24/7 on-site staff, secure fencing. Park Mark Safer Parking accreditation
Who this is for: Anyone leaving their car for more than a day who wants to return to a fully charged vehicle without stopping to charge after landing. Particularly good for drivers with a long journey home from Gatwick – you skip the post-flight rapid charge stop entirely. The cost per kWh works out higher than a public charger, but you are paying for the convenience of a staffed, professional service.
Gatwick Short Stay Car Park Chargers (Pod Point) – Cheapest On-Airport Rate
If you want the cheapest per-kWh rate on airport and do not mind the short stay parking fee, the Pod Point chargers in the Gatwick Short Stay car parks are hard to beat at £0.25/kWh.
- South Terminal: Car Park 3, Level 1 (Orange car park) – 4 connectors at up to 22kW
- North Terminal: Car Park 5, Level 3 – 4 connectors at up to 22kW
- Cost: £0.25/kWh via the Pod Point Open Charge app. Short stay parking fees apply for the duration – these are premium rates, so this option is best kept to 1-2 hours maximum
- Payment: Pod Point app only. Download and register in advance – you must confirm your session within 15 minutes of plugging in
- Cable: You must bring your own Type 2 cable – these chargers are untethered
- Availability: First come, first served – no pre-booking available. 8 chargers across both terminals
When this makes sense: Arriving early for a flight and want a cheap top-up while you check in luggage. Picking up a passenger and need to add some range while you wait in Arrivals. The electricity rate is genuinely excellent at 25p/kWh – just keep the parking duration short.
Gatwick Official Valet Parking with EV Charging Add-On
Gatwick’s official Valet Parking service at both terminals now offers a pre-bookable EV charging add-on. Staff charge your car on a 22kW Type 2 charger for a two-hour session, delivering up to 44kWh. This must be selected when booking your valet parking – it cannot be added on the day. It is not as comprehensive as the APH full-charge service (which delivers 30-60kWh over your entire trip duration), but it is convenient if you want an on-airport valet with a partial top-up.
Nearby EV Charging Options Within 5 Miles of Gatwick
Beyond the airport itself, there are several useful charging locations within a short drive. These are particularly valuable if the on-airport chargers are occupied or if you want a cheaper charge with more flexibility.
Holiday Inn London Gatwick Airport (1.5 miles) – bp pulse
- Location: Povey Cross Road, Horley, RH6 0BA
- Chargers: bp pulse. 50kW DC (CCS and CHAdeMO) and 43kW AC Type 2. Approximately 3 connectors
- Cost: bp pulse standard rates – approximately 59p/kWh for AC fast, 79p/kWh for DC rapid. £10 overstay fee applies on rapid chargers after the session
- Payment: bp pulse app or RFID card. Some newer bp pulse units accept contactless – check the unit on arrival
- Tip: Hotel guests should enquire about any EV charging discount or parking validation. The Holiday Inn is also one of the Gatwick hotels bookable with APH hotel and parking packages – see APH Holiday Inn Gatwick
Tesco Extra Gatwick, Hookwood (1.6 miles) – Pod Point
- Location: Reigate Road, Hookwood, Horley, RH6 0AT
- Chargers: 4 Pod Point connectors at up to 7kW AC (Type 2 and Tesla Destination)
- Cost: £0.44-£0.49/kWh standard. Rapid charger (if available): £0.62-£0.69/kWh
- Parking: Free for 3 hours in the Tesco car park – enough time for a meaningful top-up while shopping. Do not overstay or a penalty charge applies
- Payment: Pod Point app. Download and register in advance
- Best for: A budget-friendly top-up with free parking – good if you have time to kill before a flight or after landing and want a lower per-kWh rate than the forecourt
Gatwick (County Oak) Tesla Supercharger (4.2 miles) – Open to Non-Tesla EVs
- Location: County Oak Way, Crawley, RH11 7ST (near the Tesla Service Centre)
- Chargers: 8 stalls at up to 250kW DC. CCS connectors
- Open to non-Tesla EVs: Yes – this site is part of Tesla’s network opening programme. Non-Tesla CCS drivers access via the Tesla app at approximately £0.62/kWh (or lower with a Tesla charging membership). Tesla owners pay approximately £0.61/kWh
- Idle fees: Apply if you remain parked after charging is complete when the station is at least half full – approximately £0.50/minute. Move your car promptly
- Parking: Free in the retail park while charging
Q-Park Purple Parking Hub (4.5 miles) – bp pulse, 21 Connectors
- Location: Charlwood Road, Crawley, RH11 0QB
- Chargers: 21 connectors – CCS, CHAdeMO, and Type 2 AC. Powers from 43kW AC up to 150kW DC
- Cost: bp pulse rates – 59p/kWh AC, 79p/kWh rapid DC, 85p/kWh ultra-rapid 150kW. Overstay fee applies (£19 on ultra-rapid after approximately 60 minutes)
- Parking while charging: Free – you do not need to be a parking customer
- Payment: bp pulse app, RFID, or contactless on newer units. Open 24/7
- Best for: A backup if the GRIDSERVE forecourt is busy. 21 connectors across a wide range of speeds means it rarely runs out of availability
Motorline Hyundai Gatwick (4.5 miles) – Free 7kW Charging
- Location: Fleming Way, Crawley, RH10 9JW
- Chargers: 2 x 7kW AC Type 2
- Cost: Free – but you must check in at reception on arrival. This is a courtesy service, primarily for Hyundai EV customers, though others have reported being accommodated
- Hours: Dealership opening hours only – approximately 08:00-18:00 weekdays, shorter at weekends. Not available overnight or on bank holidays
- Best for: Anyone with time to spare before a flight who is happy to drive a few miles for genuinely free charging. Be courteous – this is not a public charger
Where to Find All Gatwick EV Charging Points – Map
Practical Tips for EV Drivers at Gatwick (2026)
Cables, Connectors and Apps to Sort Before You Travel
The most common mistake EV drivers make at Gatwick is turning up without the right cable or app. Here is what to prepare before you leave home:
- Type 2 cable: Required for the Short Stay car park Pod Points, the APH Park and Ride EV Charging service, and any AC charger that is not tethered. Keep one in the boot at all times
- DC rapid chargers (GRIDSERVE, bp pulse, County Oak Tesla): All use tethered cables – no cable needed from you
- Apps to install in advance: Pod Point (Short Stay car parks, Tesco), GRIDSERVE (forecourt DC, cheaper rate), bp pulse (Holiday Inn, Q-Park), Tesla (County Oak Supercharger). Having these set up with payment details saved before your trip removes all friction at the charger
- Zapmap: Install for live charger availability across all networks. Invaluable if your first choice is occupied
Long-Stay vs Short-Stay: Which Approach Works for EV Drivers
Gatwick’s Long Stay car parks do not currently have public EV chargers. This is the most important practical point for EV drivers: if you park long-term in one of the official Gatwick Long Stay lots, you cannot charge your car there. Your options are:
- Best approach – charge before parking: Use the GRIDSERVE forecourt for a rapid top-up on the way in to the long-stay lot. Arrive with 80%+ charge and your car will be ready when you return without needing to charge on the way home
- Best approach – charge while you fly: Book the APH Park and Ride with EV Charging instead of the official Gatwick Long Stay. Slightly off-airport, but your car is charged by staff during your trip and the shuttle runs 24/7
- Official Valet with charging add-on: Gatwick’s Valet Parking at both terminals offers a pre-bookable 2-hour charge session (up to 44kWh). More expensive than the APH option but fully on-airport
Overstay and Idle Fees – How to Avoid Them
Several Gatwick area chargers impose fees if you stay plugged in or parked after your session ends. These can be significant:
- Tesco Extra: 3-hour maximum stay enforced by ANPR. A fine applies if you overstay regardless of whether you are still charging
Winter Travel and Range Considerations
Cold weather can reduce your EV’s real-world range by 20-30% depending on conditions and how much cabin heating you use. If you are flying in winter, allow for this in both directions: you may arrive at the airport with less range than expected after a cold motorway journey, and if your car has been parked outdoors for a week, the battery will have self-discharged slightly. A service like APH’s EV charging handles the latter automatically – you return to a fully charged car regardless of how long it has been sitting. For the return journey in summer or winter, a rapid charge at the GRIDSERVE forecourt before a long motorway run is always worth 15 minutes of your time.
Best Value Picks for EV Charging at Gatwick – 2026
Value means different things to different drivers. Here is how the options stack up across four definitions of value:
- Cheapest electricity per kWh: Motorline Hyundai (free, dealership hours) or Short Stay Pod Points (£0.25/kWh, plus parking fees)
- Fastest charge for time-poor travellers: GRIDSERVE Electric Forecourt (up to 350kW, no app required, 24/7) or County Oak Tesla Supercharger (up to 250kW, open to non-Tesla)
- Best convenience for multi-day trip: APH Park and Ride with EV Charging – your car is charged and ready on return, no stop needed after landing
- Best for picking someone up: Short Stay Pod Points – cheap electricity, no need to rush, and you are right at the terminal when the arrival gate clears
FAQs: EV Charging at Gatwick Airport
Yes – Gatwick has some of the best on-airport EV charging in the UK. The GRIDSERVE Electric Forecourt (adjacent to the South Terminal) has 30 bays including 22 high-power chargers up to 350kW, Tesla Superchargers, and AC chargers, all open 24/7. Short Stay car parks at both terminals have Pod Point 22kW chargers at £0.25/kWh (parking fees also apply). Gatwick Valet Parking offers a pre-bookable EV charge add-on. The Long Stay car parks do not currently have public EV chargers.
Costs vary by provider and speed. GRIDSERVE DC high-power: £0.79/kWh via app, £0.82-£0.89/kWh contactless. GRIDSERVE AC (up to 22kW): £0.59/kWh. Short Stay Pod Points: £0.25/kWh (cheapest per kWh on-airport, short stay parking fees also apply). London Gatwick Tesla Supercharger: £0.37-£0.47/kWh. APH Park and Ride EV Charging: £39.99 for 30kWh or £59.99 for 60kWh plus parking fee.
Not at public on-airport charging bays – short stay parking fees would make this prohibitively expensive. Two services will charge your car while you fly: APH Park and Ride with EV Charging (off-airport, pre-book 30kWh for £39.99 or 60kWh for £59.99 plus parking) and Gatwick Valet Parking with a pre-bookable charging add-on (up to 44kWh on-airport). For self-park long-stay, use the GRIDSERVE forecourt for a rapid charge before parking and start your trip with a full battery.
The on-airport Tesla Supercharger (at the GRIDSERVE forecourt) is currently Tesla-only. The Tesla Supercharger at County Oak, Crawley (~4.2 miles) is open to non-Tesla CCS vehicles via the Tesla app at approximately £0.62/kWh. Check the Tesla app for the current access status of specific Supercharger sites before travelling, as Tesla’s network-opening rollout is ongoing.
The fastest publicly available charger is the GRIDSERVE Electric Forecourt’s high-power DC units at up to 350kW – adding 100 miles of range in under 10 minutes on compatible vehicles. Cost: £0.79/kWh via GRIDSERVE app or £0.82-£0.89/kWh contactless. No app required – contactless tap and go. The Tesla Supercharger at the same site reaches up to 250kW for Tesla vehicles.
It depends on the charger. GRIDSERVE Electric Forecourt, Tesla Superchargers, and bp pulse rapid chargers all have tethered cables – no cable needed. Pod Point chargers in the Short Stay car parks and the APH Park and Ride EV Charging service both require your own Type 2 cable. Always keep a Type 2 cable in the boot – for the cheapest on-airport charging (Pod Points at £0.25/kWh) it is essential.
If the GRIDSERVE forecourt is full: the Q-Park Purple Parking hub (~4.5 miles, 21 bp pulse connectors including 150kW DC, free parking while charging, 24/7) is the best backup. County Oak Tesla Supercharger (4.2 miles, 8 stalls, open to non-Tesla CCS) is another option. Use Zapmap for live availability. Pease Pottage services on the M23 (approximately 10 minutes from Gatwick) also has rapid chargers for en-route charging on the way home.
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Disclaimer
EV charging details including pricing, connector types, availability, and access arrangements are subject to change without notice. Prices shown are correct at June 2026 but EV charging networks update their pricing regularly. Always check the charger screen, the relevant network’s app, or Zapmap for current pricing before starting a session. APH operates the Park and Ride with EV Charging service at Gatwick; all other charging locations listed are operated by independent third parties. APH cannot accept responsibility for changes, disruptions, or charges at third-party locations.