Driving an electric vehicle to the airport raises a question that petrol drivers never have to think about: will there be somewhere to charge when you get there? The answer, in 2026, is almost always yes – but the quality, cost, and convenience of charging varies enormously depending on which airport you use, which car park you book, and whether you want to charge while you fly or just top up on arrival. This guide covers every option: on-airport charging, off-airport car parks with EV charging, and airport hotels with charge points – all verified for 2026.
EV Charging at UK Airports in 2026 – Where Things Stand
The UK’s public charging network has grown dramatically. As of May 2026, there are over 121,000 public EV chargers across 46,664 locations in the UK – up from 50,263 connectors at just 18,691 locations in early 2022. Ultra-rapid chargers (150kW+) grew 41% in 2025 alone. The UK government’s target is 300,000 public charge points by 2030, coinciding with the ban on new petrol and diesel car sales. Meanwhile, 23.4% of all new cars sold in the UK in 2025 were fully electric – nearly one in four – with 1.88 million battery-electric cars now on British roads.
Airport charging has improved significantly as a result of this broader build-out, but it is not uniform. The most important thing to understand before you travel is the difference between the three ways to charge at an airport:
- Charge while you fly (off-airport car park with EV charging): You drop your car and keys at a car park – such as the APH Park and Ride with EV Charging at Gatwick or Manchester – and staff charge your car while you are away. You return to a charged vehicle. This is the most convenient option for most EV drivers taking a trip.
- Charge on arrival before parking (on-airport short stay): You drive into the airport’s short stay car park, plug in at an available charger, and move your car to a standard bay once charged. Most on-airport chargers work this way. Available chargers are not bookable and operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Charge at your airport hotel: If you are staying the night before a flight, many airport hotels have EV chargers in their car parks. This is often the most relaxed option – plug in overnight and start the next day with a full charge.
Practical tip for all EV drivers at airports:
- Always bring your own charging cable – car parks with EV charging (including APH) usually provide the socket but not the cable
- Arrive with at least 5% battery remaining to ensure the charging process can start
- If your EV has a valet mode, activate it before handing over your keys
- On-airport chargers in short stay car parks are not pre-bookable – plan for the possibility they may be in use
- Charging costs at airports vary widely – from free (some hotels, some Glasgow car parks) to £0.79/kWh at Gatwick’s GRIDSERVE Electric Forecourt
APH Park and Ride with EV Charging – Gatwick and Manchester
APH offers a dedicated Park and Ride with EV Charging service at both Gatwick and Manchester airports – one of the few off-airport parking providers to offer guaranteed EV charging as part of the booking. Here is how it works at each site:
APH Park and Ride with EV Charging – Gatwick Airport
- Location: 1 Copthorne Road, Crawley RH10 3PD – just off the M23, approximately 10-12 minutes to either terminal by shuttle
- Charging: 7.4kW chargers on-site; 30kWh or 60kWh charge options available. A trained APH driver charges your car on arrival and moves it to a secure parking bay. Your car is fully charged and ready on your return
- Charging cost: £39.99 for 30kWh; £59.99 for 60kWh, in addition to the parking fee
- Security: Barrier control, CCTV, 24/7 on-site staff, secure fencing, fully insured drivers
- Requirements: Bring your own charging cable; arrive with at least 5% battery charge
Book APH Park and Ride with EV Charging at Gatwick – shuttle runs every 10-15 minutes, 24/7, 365 days a year.
APH Park and Ride with EV Charging – Manchester Airport
- Location: Bradnor Road, Sharston Industrial Area, Manchester M22 4TE – approximately 10 minutes to all terminals by shuttle
- Charging: 7.4kW chargers (Type 2 and Commando connectors); 30kWh or 60kWh options. Staffed parking with insured drivers charging and parking your car
- Security: Park Mark Safer Parking Award; 24-hour uniformed staff patrols, CCTV, barrier-controlled entry
- Requirements: Bring your own cable; arrive with at least 5% battery
Book APH Park and Ride with EV Charging at Manchester – shuttle runs 24/7 every 15 minutes to all terminals.
Airport Car Parks with EV Charging – UK 2026
The table below covers all UK airports where APH offers parking, with details of available EV charging. Facilities and pricing change regularly – links are provided to the relevant APH product pages for the most current information.
| Airport | Car Park / Location | On or Off Airport | Charging Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen Airport | Short Stay car park | On-airport | 4x 7kW Pod Point chargers. Pre-book 2hrs+ in advance or turn up subject to availability. Bring your own cable. |
| Priority car park | On-airport | 2x 7kW Pod Point chargers | |
| Birmingham Airport | APH Charge and Go | Off-airport | EV charging included in the overall parking fee – one of the most cost-effective APH EV options |
| Airparks Drop and Go | Off-airport | 5 chargers, 43kW or 50kW, 30p per kWh | |
| Bristol Airport | Multi-Storey car park (ground floor) | On-airport | 10 Pod Point chargers. Download the Pod Point app and register in advance. Long Stay car park Zone D Row 7 also has 2 EV points with 2hrs free parking if you hold another airport car park booking. |
| Cardiff Airport | Short Stay and Meet and Greet car parks | On-airport | 4 connectors across 2 charging points, LiFe network |
| Edinburgh Airport | Secure Airparks | Off-airport | 10x 3kW chargers. Car is charged for you while you are away. Free transfers on demand, 2 mins to terminal. Bring your own cable. |
| London Gatwick Airport | APH Park and Ride with EV Charging | Off-airport | 7.4kW chargers; 30kWh (£39.99) or 60kWh (£59.99) options. Car charged and parked for you. See full details above. |
| Short Stay North (Car Park 5, Level 3) | On-airport | 4x 22kW Pod Point chargers, £0.25/kWh. First come, first served – not pre-bookable. | |
| Short Stay South (Orange Car Park 3, Level 1) | On-airport | 4x 22kW chargers, £0.25/kWh. First come, first served. | |
| GRIDSERVE Electric Forecourt (adjacent to South Terminal) | On-airport | 30+ chargers, 22kW to 350kW ultra-rapid. Tesla Superchargers on-site. From £0.79/kWh. 24/7. | |
| Glasgow Airport | Multi-Storey Car Park 1 | On-airport | 6 charging points. Free of charge. GeniePoint network – download app in advance. |
| Skyport Park and Ride | Off-airport | 6 chargers, fast and super-fast charging | |
| London Heathrow Airport | All Short Stay car parks | On-airport | 7kW Pod Point chargers. Log in to Pod Point app on arrival to check live locations. Note: short stay parking fees are premium – not cost-effective for a week’s parking solely to charge. |
| MBW Meet and Greet | On-airport | EV charging available, £15-£35 per charge | |
| Allego ultra-fast hub (near airport) | Off-airport (vicinity) | New 2026 ultra-fast charging hub near Heathrow. Check Zapmap for current location and availability. | |
| Leeds Bradford Airport | Sentinel Secure Parking | Off-airport | Car charged while you are away. 10p/kWh, £3.50 minimum. Enquire about EV charging when booking. |
| Liverpool Airport | Long Stay car park | On-airport | 2 rapid chargers, Gridserve Electric Highway |
| Luton Airport | Terminal Car Park 1, Level 2 | On-airport | 6 Tesla Superchargers plus 4 Type 2 chargers. Closest APH car park: bp pulse on London Road, Luton LU1 4BH (2-min drive) |
| Airparks Drop and Go | Off-airport | EV charging fee included with parking | |
| Manchester Airport | APH Park and Ride with EV Charging | Off-airport | 7.4kW chargers (Type 2 and Commando); 30kWh or 60kWh options. Car charged and parked. See full details above. |
| Newcastle Airport | Short Stay Car Park 1 | On-airport | 4x 7kW chargers. £1 connection fee. Operated by chargeyourcar.org.uk. |
| Southampton Airport | Short Stay car park | On-airport | 4 Pod Point chargers |
| Priority car park | On-airport | 2 Pod Point chargers | |
| Stansted Airport | Near airport (Hubsta, 2104 Pincey Road) | Off-airport | Open 24 hours |
| Near airport (PitPoint, 1 Bassingbourn Road) | Off-airport | Open 24 hours |
Facilities and pricing are correct at time of writing. Always check your booking confirmation and the car park’s own page for the latest details before travelling.
Airport Hotels with EV Charging Points
Staying at an airport hotel the night before your flight is one of the smartest ways to charge your EV – plug in on arrival in the evening, wake up to a full battery, and drive straight to the terminal. The hotels below all have EV charging on-site or immediately adjacent.
| Airport | Hotel | EV Charging Details |
|---|---|---|
| Gatwick | Holiday Inn London Gatwick Airport | bp pulse. 50kW CCS, 50kW CHAdeMO, 43kW Type 2. 35p/kWh. |
| Crowne Plaza London Gatwick Airport | bp pulse. 50kW CCS, 50kW CHAdeMO, 45kW Type 2. Charges may apply. | |
| Heathrow | Mercure Heathrow Airport | NewMotion network. 3kW Type 2. Charges may apply. |
| Holiday Inn Terminal 5 Heathrow | bp pulse. 50kW CCS, 50kW CHAdeMO, 43kW Type 2. Charges may apply. | |
| Hilton Heathrow Terminal 5 | Tesla Supercharger 120kW Tesla Type 2. Charges may apply. | |
| Radisson Blu Edwardian Heathrow | ZeroNet network. 3kW 3-pin, 7kW Commando. Charges may apply. | |
| Stansted | Radisson Blu Hotel Stansted Airport | 3kW 3-square pin, 7kW Commando. |
| Luton | Holiday Inn Luton Airport | Hank-Tess. 7kW Type 2. |
| Ibis Luton Airport | bp pulse. 3kW Type 2. | |
| Birmingham | Holiday Inn Express Birmingham NEC | bp pulse. 50kW Combo CCS, 50kW CHAdeMO, 43kW tethered Type 2. |
| Manchester | Delta Hotels by Marriott Manchester Airport | ZeroNet network. 3kW 3-pin, 7kW Type 2. Parking charges may apply. (Note: formerly listed as Manchester Airport Marriott) |
| DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Airport | EV charging on-site. Confirm current details directly with hotel. |
Planning tip: When booking an airport hotel with EV charging, always call ahead to confirm the number of charge points available, whether they are pre-bookable, and what the current pricing is. Hotel EV charging facilities fill up quickly, especially at busy travel periods. Some hotels – particularly at Gatwick – now offer valet charging as an additional service.
What to Expect When Charging Your EV at a UK Airport
Gatwick Airport – Best EV Charging Setup at Any UK Airport
Gatwick now has one of the strongest EV charging ecosystems of any UK airport. The GRIDSERVE Electric Forecourt adjacent to the South Terminal is the flagship – over 30 chargers from 22kW AC up to 350kW ultra-rapid DC, with Tesla Superchargers on-site and 24/7 access. If you are arriving at or departing from Gatwick and need a rapid top-up, this is the place. Pricing starts from £0.79/kWh. For a cheaper on-airport option, the Pod Point chargers in the Short Stay car parks (North Terminal Car Park 5 Level 3, South Terminal Orange Car Park 3 Level 1) charge from £0.25/kWh at 22kW – though short stay parking fees apply. For the least stressful pre-flight charge, the APH Park and Ride with EV Charging handles everything for you while you fly.
Heathrow Airport – Charging Available but Expensive in Short Stay
Heathrow has 7kW Pod Point chargers across all Short Stay car parks, managed via the Pod Point app. The important caveat: Heathrow’s short stay parking is some of the most expensive in the UK. Paying premium short stay rates just to access a 7kW charger is not cost-effective for most drivers. The better approach is the MBW Meet and Greet service (with EV charging at £15-£35 per charge), one of the airport hotel chargers listed above, or the new Allego ultra-fast hub near Heathrow which opened in early 2026 and is designed for drivers passing through rather than flying. Use the Pod Point or Zapmap app to check live availability before heading to the Short Stay car park.
Manchester Airport – APH Park and Ride is the Standout Option
Manchester Airport’s on-airport car parks have limited EV charging infrastructure compared to Gatwick or Heathrow. The most reliable solution for EV drivers at Manchester is the APH Park and Ride with EV Charging – pre-book your charging option, arrive with 5%+ charge, hand over your cable and keys, and return to a charged car. The Clayton Hotel, close to the terminals, also has a charging point if you need a top-up before or after a flight without a hotel stay.
FAQs: EV Charging at UK Airports
Yes. Most major UK airports now have EV charging available, either within their own car parks or at nearby facilities. The coverage and quality varies significantly. Gatwick has one of the best set-ups with GRIDSERVE ultra-rapid chargers on-site and APH Park and Ride EV charging off-airport. Heathrow has 7kW chargers across Short Stay car parks but they are expensive to access given the parking fees. Manchester’s best option for EV drivers is the APH Park and Ride with EV Charging, where staff charge your car while you fly. Glasgow offers free charging in its Multi-Storey Car Park 1.
Costs vary widely. On-airport at Gatwick’s Short Stay car parks: £0.25/kWh at 22kW (plus standard parking fees). GRIDSERVE Electric Forecourt at Gatwick: from £0.79/kWh for ultra-rapid. Glasgow Multi-Storey: free. Heathrow Short Stay: 7kW chargers via Pod Point app (parking fees make this expensive for short trips). APH Park and Ride EV Charging (Gatwick and Manchester): £39.99 for 30kWh or £59.99 for 60kWh on top of the parking fee. Leeds Bradford Sentinel Parking: 10p/kWh with a £3.50 minimum. Airport hotel chargers: typically charges apply, ranging from free (some nights) to standard network rates.
At most on-airport short stay car parks, no – you charge and then move your car to a standard parking bay. However, some off-airport parking services are specifically designed to charge your car while you are away. APH Park and Ride with EV Charging at Gatwick and Manchester will charge your vehicle on arrival and have it ready for collection when you return. Edinburgh’s Secure Airparks also charges your car for you while you fly. These services are bookable through APH and are the most convenient option for EV drivers going on holiday.
At most off-airport EV charging services, including APH Park and Ride with EV Charging, yes – you need to bring your own cable. The car park provides the socket and the charging service, but the cable is the driver’s responsibility. On-airport chargers (such as Pod Point units at Gatwick and Heathrow) are typically tethered and do not require you to bring a cable – but check the specific car park details in advance. If your EV uses a less common connector type, always bring your own cable as an adapter.
Charging time depends on the charger speed and your battery size. A 7kW standard charger takes approximately 8-10 hours to charge a 60-70kWh battery from near-empty to full – suitable for an overnight hotel stay. A 22kW fast charger reduces this to around 3-4 hours for a 60kWh battery. A 50kW rapid charger can add around 100 miles of range in 30-40 minutes. The GRIDSERVE ultra-rapid chargers at Gatwick (up to 350kW) can add 100 miles of range in under 10 minutes for compatible vehicles. For a full charge from near-empty, an overnight airport hotel stay with a 7kW charger is typically the most relaxed approach.
Yes, where the Short Stay car park has an available charging point. Glasgow Multi-Storey Car Park 1 is free. At other airports with on-airport chargers (Gatwick, Heathrow, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Southampton), you can use the Short Stay car park charger while waiting in Arrivals. Standard parking fees apply for the duration. Use the relevant app (Pod Point, GeniePoint, Zapmap) to check live availability before entering the car park, as chargers are not pre-bookable and may be in use.
It depends on your situation. For the fastest charge (if you need rapid top-up without flying): the GRIDSERVE Electric Forecourt adjacent to the South Terminal has 30+ chargers from 22kW to 350kW ultra-rapid, 24/7, from £0.79/kWh. For charging while you fly: the APH Park and Ride with EV Charging off-airport at Copthorne Road – staff charge your car while you are away; 30kWh for £39.99 or 60kWh for £59.99 on top of parking. For cheapest on-airport option: Pod Point chargers in Short Stay car parks at £0.25/kWh (standard parking fees apply). Bring your own cable for APH; Pod Point chargers are tethered.
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Disclaimer
EV charging facilities, charger speeds, network operators, and pricing at UK airports are subject to frequent change. Information in this guide is correct at the time of writing (June 2026) but should be verified directly with the car park, hotel, or airport before travelling. Always bring your own charging cable for off-airport car park services unless stated otherwise. Live charger availability can be checked via Zapmap, Pod Point, and GeniePoint apps.