Where can I find free charging stations near me? (2025)
One of the main advantages of an electric vehicle is being able to charge it cheaply at home. What about charging at public charging stations? Will there still be free charging stations in 2025? Where and how can you find them? Our tips to save on your charging costs.
Will free charging for electric cars still exist in 2025?
Free charging stations, which are very popular among electric car drivers, are becoming increasingly rare. It is not always easy to find free charging points that are available and, above all, functional. Have you heard that there are free charging stations in your area? That could well be the case, but we recommend that you carefully check the conditions of access to this "free" store. It is possible that you will be offered the following:
- Free charging for a limited duration (often 1 hour). After this time, charging becomes chargeable.
- Paid parking (especially in private car parks).
- A subscription to the operator of the charging station.
- A customer card of the store.
- The brand of the electric car (free charging at the vehicle dealer of the respective brand).
On the Chargemap app, activate the filter for free charging stations
To get an overview of all the free charging stations accessible throughout Europe, Chargemap is your best ally. Just go to the map with the charging stations and activate the "Free stations only" option there. You can add more features to your search by filtering the charging stations by plug type, power or numerous other parameters.
Each charging zone has a detailed info card with the most important information about its access, its connections, etc. A community tab summarizes all feedback from other drivers who have charged at this location. Remember to take a quick look at this feedback before charging to benefit from useful information and avoid any potentially unpleasant surprises.
Find out more on your Chargemap app
Charge your electric car for free while shopping
Free charging stations in supermarket parking lots
Numerous large supermarkets are now equipped with charging infrastructure that is accessible in their parking lots. These are easily recognizable, as they must be marked with a corresponding sign and a floor marking representing an electric car.
Access to the free charging facilities at the supermarket charging stations is generally reserved exclusively for customers. In most cases, the corresponding conditions of use are indicated at the charging points. In general, users of these charging points must have a customer card from the respective retailer, but this is not mandatory in all cases. Depending on the retailer offering the offer, it may also happen that the possibility of free charging is associated with a time limit.
On your Chargemap application, you can quickly and easily check the relevant access information and consult the feedback of other drivers.
The following, for example, is a (non-exhaustive) list of large hypermarkets in Germany (supermarkets, shopping centres) that have free charging stations:
- Lidl, Kaufland and Aldi – no more free charging
- Globe
- Bauhaus
- Hornbach
- Hagebau
More retailers that offer free charging
However, large supermarket chains are not the only ones meeting the charging needs of EV drivers. In some countries, such as France, Germany or Belgium, for example, you can use the free option to charge your e-car as part of a shopping tour at Ikea.
Ikea provides some free charging stations for accelerated charging (between 11 and 22 kW AC) and fast charging up to 50 kW (DC).
Charge your electric car free of charge at your authorized dealer
With the huge increase in the range of rechargeable hybrid and electric vehicles, vehicle manufacturers and dealers have started to provide their customers with free charging stations. Vehicle manufacturers with such an offer are, for example:
- Nissan
- Renault
- BMW
- Volkswagen Group (including Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Cupra, Lamborghini, Porsche, Skoda and Seat): In the car dealerships of the 9 group-owned brands, owners of an electric car of one of these brands have the opportunity to charge their vehicle free of charge.
- Kia
- Mercedes Benz
Free charging stations on public roads and parking lots
Free charging points in hotels and restaurants
Hotels and restaurants are increasingly starting to offer their guests a top-up service. This is generally free of charge, but it is advisable to make appropriate enquiries beforehand.
about free charging stations near you and anywhere in Europe!