Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging

How do I start a charge? Do I need an app or can I tap a card?
You can charge either through the Roam app or through contactless.

App: Download the Roam Charging app through the app store or play store, create a free account, plug in and scan the QR code on the charger to start your session.

Contactless: Plug in your car and tap the contactless terminal on the front of the charger with your bank card. This will initiate a charging session.

Note that you have more insights and functionality by using the app rather than contactless, such as live updates on your session and the ability to stop your charge remotely.

Do I need to be a Roam member to use the chargers?
No, Roam Membership is available for £7.20 a month, this gets you an 8p/kWh discount, but you can still charge without being a member.

Will the chargers work with all EVs, including hybrids?
Yes, all electric vehicles can use the chargers on site. The fast chargers are equipped with Type 2 sockets, compatible with every modern EV. The only exception is the rapid charger, which uses a CCS connector. This means that CHAdeMO vehicles (now less common, such as some older Nissan Leafs) won’t be able to use the rapid unit, but they can still charge as normal on the fast chargers.

How long will it take to charge?
The 22 kW fast chargers typically take 2–4 hours for a full charge, depending on your vehicle. The 100 kW rapid charger can reach 80% charge in around 30 minutes. Rapid chargers slow down after 80% to protect your battery.

Can I expect to pull the maximum power from the chargers?
Not always, it depends on your vehicle.
Every EV has its own onboard charger, which controls how much power it can draw from an AC (fast) charger. For example, even though a 22 kW charger can deliver that much power, your car might have a 7kW or 11 kW onboard limit, meaning it will charge at that lower rate.

For DC (rapid) chargers, the power bypasses the car’s onboard charger and goes straight to the battery. However, each model also has its own maximum DC charging speed, which affects how quickly it can charge, for instance, some cars peak at 50 kW, while others can take over 200 kW.
So, the charger provides the capacity, but your vehicle determines how much of it it can use.

Are there plug-in fees?
There are no plug-in fees. There is an industry standard holding fee of £45. Once the charge has
completed, the total charge amount will be deducted from the holding fee and the remaining returned to your account.

Who do I contact if I have an issue while charging?
If you encounter any issues while using the chargers, please call the 24/7 support team on 0800 099 6000. They’ll help get you back on charge quickly.