Where should I charge my electric car? We tried UK’s top 10 fast chargers
Ionity
Test location: Double Tree Hilton, Dartford, Kent
Charging speed: Up to 350kW
Cost: 81p/kWh, 77p/kWh with Ionity app or 46p/kWh with Ionity subscription
We like: Tidy and efficient
We don’t like: Tricky to find, parking notices
There were no signs directing me to this charging station but there were plenty warning me of a £100 fine if I broke the parking rules. Reception assured me the first two parking hours were free and I didn’t have to log the EV9’s registration.
The charging area was clean and tidy, there was lots of room to manoeuvre my big Kia (there were only two other cars present on the 24-charger site) and the chargers and the contactless payment system worked smoothly. At 19% full, my EV9 was drawing 129kW and still doing so at 73%.
“The location is very good and it’s always very quiet,” said one driver. “With a subscription, I pay just 49p/kWh.” There was no shelter while I hooked up but, fortunately, the weather was kind. Inside the hotel, the toilets were spotless but, at £4.25, I skipped the latte in the bar.
MFG
Test location: Ilford, Greater London
Charging speed: 150kW
Cost: 59p/kWh (promotional summer rate until 30 September 2026, down from standard 79p)
We like: Unpretentious, good customer service
We don’t like: Not easy to use at first
The dreaded parking notices were present at this station but this time to deter non-EV drivers.
Unlike the other sites I visited for this survey, it is by no means a major location but it is close to the busy A12 and M11. It is a classic MFG site, with just enough manoeuvring space, good weather protection and a well-stocked forecourt shop. There were four 150kW CCS chargers. However, I had to call MFG to understand how to operate a charger, which wasn’t obvious (using buttons, you have to select your connector, tap, then press continue).
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