The Electric Highway public charging network covers the UK’s motorway network, with points at service stations across Britain.
Now owned and operated by GRIDSERVE, the network was previously owned and run by energy company Ecotricity until June 2021. GRIDSERVE has been upgrading all existing Electric Highway charging devices, and is also installing new Electric Highway locations.
Upgraded GRIDSERVE Electric Highway charge points simply require contactless debit/credit card payment. GRIDSERVE Electric Highway charge points that have not yet been replaced require users to register their account details via a smartphone app, which is then used to control the charging process.
There is a simple pricing structure using a connection fee and then price per unit of electricity used, though there are a few exceptions.
GRIDSERVE Electric Highway network costs
GRIDSERVE Electric Highway
Membership cost: None
Via contactless debit/credit card:
Fast devices: 49p /kWh
Rapid devices: 65p /kWh
Ultra-rapid devices: 66p /kWh
At GRIDSERVE Electric Forecourts: 64p /kWh
To discover how much it will cost to charge an EV from a GRIDSERVE Electric Highway charge point, head to Zapmap’s Public Charging Calculator. This allows you to select any new or used plug-in vehicle, and tailor elements – such as electricity cost and charge required – for personalised results.
GRIDSERVE Electric Highway network access
Access to all upgraded GRIDSERVE Electric Highway charge points is via contactless debit/credit card.
For those charge points that have not yet been replaced, access to the Electric Highway network is via either smartphone app or RFID card. Rapid points use the app to begin the charging process, with free WiFi at each unit to ensure smartphone connection is possible. Fast chargers are accessed via the RFID card – a legacy access type before previous owner Ecotricity introduced an app-based payment system.
Finding GRIDSERVE Electric Highway points on Zapmap
GRIDSERVE Electric Highway points can be found on Zapmap by using the network filter. This can be used on the desktop and mobile apps, and displays only those points operated by GRIDSERVE Electric Highway.
Charging types and speeds can be filtered too, showing only those points that are compatible with users’ cars.
About GRIDSERVE Electric Highway
GRIDSERVE is a tech-enabled, international sustainable energy business that develops, builds, owns and operates solar energy and battery storage solutions for critical power infrastructure. The company is aiming to deliver a UK-wide, sustainable energy powered network of charge points to allow the fastest possible net-zero carbon charging of electric vehicles.
In March 2021, GRIDSERVE bought a 25% stake in the Electric Highway and announced it was collaborating with Ecotricity to transform the charging network. In June 2021, GRIDSERVE completed the sale and took full ownership of the Electric Highway.
As well as installing new Electric Highway locations, GRIDSERVE has been upgrading all existing Electric Highway charging devices. The company is replacing them with new technology, doubling the capacity and offering CCS, CHAdeMO and AC – as well as contactless payment.
