This summer, queues at charging stations are one of the biggest worries EV drivers face on the road to their holiday destination. The good news: with a few simple habits and the right tools, you can anticipate them and sometimes avoid them altogether. Here are our 6 tips for stress-free charging throughout your summer journeys ☀️.
Key Takeaways
- Keep your battery between 20% and 80% to optimise your charging time and maintain a safety margin in case a charging point is unavailable.
- Check real-time charging point availability in the Chargemap app before you arrive.
- Prioritise stations with at least 6 charging points available to reduce the risk of queuing.
- Charge early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid peak times on motorway service areas.
- Use the Chargemap route planner to plan multiple charging options along your route so you're never left without an alternative.
Overview of the number of charging stations in the UK
Statistics published by Zapmap state that at the end of May 2025, there were 80,998 electric vehicle charging points across the UK. Since May 2024 the public network has grown by 30%. As of May 2025, there are 16,259 rapid or ultra-rapid charging devices, across 6,203 charging locations in the UK.
So waiting 1 hour to charge for 4 hours may be a nightmare of the past – as long as your EV is equipped for rapid charging, of course!
However, all this is not sufficient to absorb the increasing number of EVs on the road. Queues at charging points will therefore still be part and parcel of your journeys this summer. You can nonetheless take on board a few tips to avoid queues as much as possible and take to the road stress-free in your EV this summer.
Our 6 handy tips to forestall queueing at charging stations
1. Keep your battery at a certain level for charging stops
On an everyday basis, it is recommended to keep your battery level between 20% and 80% at all times. This is all the more important during the holiday period when you tend to need to charge more frequently.
Never wait until you are approaching a battery level of 0% before charging and always try to keep a safety margin of around 20%. Why? Because sometimes you won't be able to charge at the charge point you were aiming for and therefore have to continue a few extra miles to the next en-route charging point. For example, there may be too many EVs queueing up at the charging station or some charge points may be out of order. As a bonus tip, think about checking out the status of the charging station and recent community reviews in the Chargemap app.
Moreover, charging takes longer when your battery level is under 20% or over 80%. So if you keep within this bracket, you will optimise your charging time on long journeys and free up charge points quickly for other vehicles queuing up behind you. This is also good practice for preserving your battery, as we explain in our article about the 6 mistakes to avoid to take care of your battery.
2. Target charging areas where there are at least 6 charging points available
Our second tip to avoid long queues at charging points is to choose stations with a sufficient number of connectors available. On this topic, non-isolated charging stations are prioritised by the Chargemap route planner. When planning your trips ahead of time, you can check the number of charge points in a charging pool. We advise you go for at least 6 charge points in good working order. If the charging stop proposed doesn't suit you, you can always change the charging stop. To do this, simply activate the "Stations" button on the route planner map and then select the new charging station and add it to the trip by tapping "Charge at this station".
3. Choosing charging stations with nearby amenities
If you take our advice on board, you will avoid a few queues during your holidays, but not all of them. This means the presence of nearby amenities is essential to fill in the waiting time. The general mood at queues can be good and it is always pleasant to have a relaxing moment ?
Use the "Nearby services" filters to prioritise stations with nearby facilities such as a park, shops or just a place you can grab a coffee and a delicious ice cream!
4. Avoid charging your EV at peak times
Try to charge in the early morning or late evening to avoid peak charging times. These are the ideal time slots to enjoy a bit of calm and cooler summer temperatures. In fact, your charging time is optimised if you charge your EV outside the hottest moments of the day. To find out more, consult our article all about the impact of heat on charging your EV.
5. Spread out your options for greater flexibility
To make sure you're never left without a solution, check available charge points around you in real time from the Chargemap app. If your planned station is busy or unavailable, use the map to instantly spot the nearest alternatives and choose the one with the best rating according to community reviews.
Before setting off, also prioritise rest areas where several stations are close to one another. This gives you flexibility without losing time on the road.
6. Go for rapid charging stations to reduce waiting time
Finally, if your EV has the capacity, charge at rapid charging stations with a power rating of between 50 and 350 kW whenever possible. Networks specialising in rapid charging are continuously increasing their coverage across Europe. There's a broad choice to pick from: Ionity, Allego, Electra, Power Dot, etc.
👉🏻 Also read: EV charging on the motorway: everything you need to know
The main rules of good conduct for using charging points
1. Don't squat in spaces reserved for EV charging
A space reserved for charging an electric vehicle should not be considered as a parking space. Thermal, hybrid and even electric cars are not allowed to park in this type of space unless they are plugged in and charging.
2. Free up space after charging
Once charging is complete, the space must be freed up for another user. The vast majority of electric vehicles indicate the time remaining before charging is complete. The most recent models can even warn you in real time by sending a notification to your smartphone. You can also set a reminder on your mobile phone!
3. Use the right charging station for your journey and your vehicle
There are several charging standards for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. It's advisable to use a charge point suited to the technology on board your electric car, but also to your journey. If your EV's on-board charger doesn't exceed 3kW, there's no need to connect to a 43kW fast charging point. In this way, you can avoid taking up a charge point that is more suitable for another vehicle.
If you only have a short journey to make before arriving at your destination with sufficient range, there's no need to charge your vehicle at a fast-charging station.
4. Indicate end of charge time
On the very popular charging points on motorways, for example, it's always useful to mention when your car is due to finish charging. All you have to do is put a small note on the vehicle's dashboard. This will tell other users how long they'll have to wait before plugging in.
On the Chargemap application, you can check the occupancy of a charging station remotely. Always useful!
5. Respect the charging station
It's worth remembering that it's very important to respect the facilities in place. They represent a costly investment for the station operators. Respecting them also means making sure they work properly.
Make sure you replace cables and plugs on their supports once the charge is complete, and don't leave them lying around on the ground. Follow the instructions given to start and finish charging. If the charging point doesn't work, don't insist on pressing all the buttons, just call the service number printed on the equipment.
6. Be courteous to other road users
Have you noticed that a user is having difficulty plugging in/charging their electric car at a charging point? Don't hesitate to offer your help! That way, you'll be able to explain how the various facilities work.
Download the Chargemap mobile app free of charge and plan your charging stops stress-free this summer.
We answer your questions
When are charging stations at their busiest?
Generally between 11am and 3pm, especially on Fridays and Saturdays at the start of holiday periods. Charging early in the morning or in the evening helps you avoid the worst of the queues.
Can you book a charging point in advance?
No, most public charging points cannot be reserved. The best alternative is to plan your route using the Chargemap route planner and check real-time availability before each stop.
Are charging points reliable in summer?
Yes, rapid charging points are generally the most reliable. To choose the safest ones along your route, check the latest community reviews on Chargemap directly on each station's page.
