Electric vehicles are more popular than ever, and Gatwick Airport is keeping pace with the trend. If you’re driving your EV to Gatwick for a trip, especially a long stay of more than one day, it’s smart to plan where and how you’ll charge up. In this guide, we’ll cover all your EV charging options at both the North and South Terminals, from official airport chargers in the Short Stay and Long Stay car parks, to off-site services like APH Park & Ride, plus nearby third-party charging hubs. You’ll also find tips on booking, connector types (yes, mostly Type 2), using the Pod Point app, and more. Read on to ensure your EV is powered up and ready for the journey home!
Official EV Charging Points at Gatwick Airport
Gatwick Airport offers on-site EV charging at both terminals, primarily in the Short Stay car parks. Each terminal has four dedicated charging bays (eight in total across Gatwick) on the Short Stay levels closest to the terminal. In the North Terminal, head to Short Stay Car Park 5, Level 3; in the South Terminal, go to Orange Car Park 3, Level. These chargers are 22kW Type 2 fast chargers operated by Pod Point, conveniently located near the terminal entrances for easy access.
How to use the Short Stay chargers: No pre-booking is required; charging bays operate on a first-come, first-served basis. We recommend downloading the Pod Point “Open Charge” app before you arrive and creating a free account. With the app, you can check live availability of the Gatwick chargers ahead of time, and once you park and plug in, use the app to find the correct charging point and confirm your charge within 15 minutes of plugging in. The Pod Point units at Gatwick have Type 2 sockets, so remember to bring your own charging cable to connect your vehicle. Payment for the electricity is handled via the Pod Point app (the tariff is around £0.25 per kWh as of recently, but subject to change). Normal Short Stay parking fees apply during your charging session, so if you’re only topping up for a few hours, the Short Stay is perfect, but it’s not intended for multi-day parking due to the high daily parking rates.
Can I charge in Long Stay car parks? This is a key concern for EV drivers planning to leave the car for a week or more. At present, Gatwick’s official Long Stay car parks do not have public EV charging points installed. This means if you park in the on-airport Long Stay (North or South), you should not count on charging your car while it’s in those car parks. (The airport has been expanding EV facilities, but as of now, Long Stay EV bays for travellers are not available.) Don’t worry, though – there are other solutions to keep your car charged for the return trip, which we’ll explore below.
EV Charging via Gatwick Valet Parking (Both Terminals)
For an on-site long-stay option, consider Valet Parking with EV charging. Gatwick’s official Valet Parking service (available at both North and South Terminals) offers the convenience of dropping your car off curbside and having it parked for you – and they can charge it while you’re away. When booking Valet Parking, you can add EV charging for a small additional fee, which reserves a spot on a 22kW fast charger for your vehicle. The staff will give your EV a charging session of about 2 hours on a Type 2 (22kW) charger, delivering up to ~44 kWh of energy. That’s often enough to nearly or fully recharge most EVs by the time you return, so you can drive home with a full battery.
To use this service, you must pre-book the EV charge add-on when you reserve Valet parking. On your travel day, simply hand over the car to the valet team and mention the EV charging add-on. They’ll handle the rest – your car will be moved to a charging bay, topped up, and then stored securely until you come back. It’s a great choice if you want the peace of mind of returning to a charged car without any extra stops. (Do note the fee for the charge is added on top of the valet parking cost, but many find it worth it for the convenience.)
Long-Stay EV Parking Options for Gatwick Travellers
So, what can you do if the official Long Stay doesn’t have chargers but you’re headed on a long trip? Luckily, there are alternative parking services and strategies to ensure your EV is charged when you need it:
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Short Stay + Long Stay Combo: One approach some EV drivers use is to do a quick charge in the Short Stay before moving the car to Long Stay. For example, you might arrive a bit early, park in Short Stay to top-up on a Pod Point for an hour or two, then relocate your car to the Long Stay lot for the duration of your trip. This way you depart with a higher state of charge. (Keep in mind you’ll pay Short Stay hourly rates during the charging time, and you should factor in extra time for this detour.)
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Use a Nearby Rapid Charger en route: If you prefer not to deal with moving between car parks, consider stopping at a rapid charger near the airport either before you park or right after you exit. Gatwick now has a couple of excellent high-speed charging hubs (detailed in the next section) where you can get a big boost in a short time, perfect either on your way in or on the way out of the airport.
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Off-site Parking with Charging Service: Perhaps the most seamless solution for long trips is to choose an off-airport parking provider that offers EV charging as part of their long-stay service. One of Gatwick’s trusted partners is APH (Airport Parking & Hotels) Park & Ride, which we cover below. These services allow you to park for a week or more and have your car charged during the stay, often for a competitive price.
Let’s dive deeper into the APH Park & Ride option, as it’s a popular choice for EV owners looking for long-stay parking with a charge.
EV Charging with APH Gatwick Park & Ride
APH Park & Ride is an off-site parking facility near Gatwick that caters to long-stay travellers. They run a secure car park about 10 minutes from the terminals, with free shuttle buses to drop you off and pick you up. For EV drivers, APH offers an add-on Electric Vehicle charging service as part of their Park & Ride packages. This means you can leave your car with them and come back to find it charged up and ready to go.
Here’s how it works: when you arrive at the APH park & ride lot, let the team know you’ve booked EV charging (or request it if you haven’t pre-booked, and they can accommodate if space allows). You’ll need to provide your own charging cable (so have your Type 2 cable in the car) and make sure your battery has at least ~5% charge on arrival. The staff will plug your car into their charging points shortly after you check in. They charge each vehicle only once, usually shortly after arrival – essentially giving it a boost at the start of your trip. After charging, they’ll move your car to a normal parking bay for the rest of your stay, and keep your keys secure. When you return, your car will be brought around, and you’ll have gained a substantial amount of charge during your trip.
How much charge can you get? APH offers two charging levels: either roughly 30 kWh or 60 kWh of electricity delivered during your stay. You choose which package you want when booking. For a smaller battery or a partial top-up, the 30 kWh option might be sufficient; for a larger battery or near-full charge, go for 60 kWh. In many cases, opting for the 60 kWh charge will fully charge an EV or nearly fill it up, depending on how much charge you arrived with and your car’s battery size. The nice thing is that this charging cost is typically built into the parking price for the EV service, so you’re essentially pre-paying for that amount of electricity. Note: The APH chargers are medium-speed (they have 7.4kW chargers on site aph.com), so your car might spend a number of hours on the charger to accumulate the full 30 or 60 kWh. That’s why they do it early on. Also, if your car has a “valet mode” or charging limit setting, enable it before handing over the key – it’s a good security practice and ensures the staff can’t access personal data on your car’s infotainment while they move it.
Many travellers love the APH EV service because it’s hands-off and guarantees you a charged car without you having to hunt for a station. Just be sure to pre-book the EV charging option with your parking reservation, as spaces for EVs may be limited (especially in peak holiday seasons). With APH’s long experience (over 40 years in airport parking) and secure facility, you can trust that your car is in good hands and powered up when you get back.
Third-Party EV Charging Facilities Near Gatwick
Gatwick Airport is also served by some excellent third-party EV charging hubs that are very useful for airport travellers. These are not parking facilities where you’d leave your car for days, but rather charging stations you can use for a quick boost either before parking or right after your trip. They’re perfect if you need to top-up your battery on the way in or out. Let’s look at the two main ones:
The new GRIDSERVE Electric Forecourt near Gatwick’s South Terminal offers 30 charging bays along with amenities like a cafe and lounge, making it a convenient stop for EV drivers.
GRIDSERVE Gatwick Electric Forecourt (South Terminal): Opened in January 2024, this is a state-of-the-art EV charging station and a first for any international airport. It’s located on the Ring Road South approach to Gatwick’s South Terminal, very close to the M23 junction, meaning it’s easily accessible for both airport users and local drivers. The site features 30 charging bays in total. Of those, 22 are high-power DC chargers (capable of ultra-fast charging), 4 are lower-power AC chargers (likely 22 kW for vehicles that need a slower charge), and 4 are dedicated Tesla Superchargers for Tesla drivers. The fastest chargers at the forecourt can deliver up to 350 kW, adding around 100 miles of range in just 10 minutes for compatible EVs, talk about a quick pit stop! All chargers support contactless payment, so you can just tap your credit/debit card or phone to pay – no app or membership needed.
What makes the GRIDSERVE Electric Forecourt stand out (aside from sheer charging speed) is the array of on-site amenities. While your car charges, you can relax in a comfortable lounge with free Wi-Fi, grab a coffee at the Costa Coffee cafe, pick up snacks at the Little Fresh convenience store, or even check out the EV showroom/exhibit area they have. The facility is open to the public 24/7 for charging (the cafe and indoor lounge have extended hours, roughly 4:30 AM to 10 PM). This hub is ideal if you arrive at Gatwick low on charge – you can stop by the forecourt before heading to your parking lot, or swing by after your flight before driving home. And because it’s right by the South Terminal, it’s especially convenient for those using the South Terminal Long Stay or coming via the M23. (North Terminal users can also access it with a short detour – the terminals are connected by the airport roads.)
BP Pulse Gatwick Charging Hub (North Terminal area): Another notable charging location is the BP Pulse ultra-fast hub located at one of Gatwick’s parking facilities (run by Q-Park) near the North Terminal. This hub was one of the first of its kind at UK airports when it opened in 2022. It consists of three 150 kW DC rapid chargers – these can charge an EV from 10% to ~80% in about 10-15 minutes (enough for roughly 100 miles of range). In addition, the site has four 50 kW fast chargers, which are slightly slower but still provide a solid charge in 30-60 minutes. The BP Pulse hub is often used by taxi drivers and locals, but it’s open to the public. It’s a great option if you’re heading to the North Terminal and need a quick charge boost, or if the Gridserve forecourt is out of your way. The chargers support contactless payment via the BP Pulse system (or the BP Pulse app/RFID if you’re a member). As a bonus, this charging area is in a small dedicated lot, and there’s no separate parking fee to use it – you just pay for the electricity, then be on your way.
Other Nearby Charging Options: In addition to the two major hubs above, there are a few other EV charging spots around Gatwick worth knowing about. For instance, there are Pod Point units at the Tesco Extra Gatwick (Hookwood) and some nearby hotels that offer charging for patrons. If you’re doing a park-and-stay at a Gatwick hotel the night before your flight, check if the hotel has EV chargers – several do (for example, the Crowne Plaza and Hilton in the area have charging stations). Tesla drivers, take note: those 4 Superchargers at the Gridserve forecourt are open to you (and even to non-Tesla EVs with CCS in this case), and Tesla also operates an 8-bay Supercharger station in Crawley (County Oak Way, near the Tesla Service Centre) which is a short drive from the airport. In short, you’re not short of options – the Gatwick area is one of the best-served in the UK for EV charging.
Below is a table that summarizes the available EV charging options at Gatwick Airport, including their costs per session or per kWh. This can be added to the full blog post as an easy-to-reference guide for readers.
| Location | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Short Stay (North Terminal) | £4.00 (flat fee) | Pod Point 22kW fast chargers, first-come, first-served. |
| Short Stay (South Terminal) | £4.00 (flat fee) | Pod Point 22kW fast chargers, first-come, first-served. |
| Long Stay | £25.00 (flat fee) | No charging available at the Long Stay car park. |
| BP Pulse Gatwick | £0.79/kWh | Rapid DC charging at the BP Pulse hub, located near the North Terminal. |
| GRIDserve Gatwick Electric Forecourt | £0.79/kWh | Ultra-fast charging with options up to 350kW, located near the South Terminal. |
| APH Park & Ride | Varies (service fee + charging) | EV charging available when booked with APH Park & Ride service. |
Notes:
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Pod Point (Short Stay): The charges in the Short Stay car parks are at a flat fee of £4.00 for each session, which means you pay for parking in addition to the electricity used during your charge.
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BP Pulse and GRIDserve: These hubs use a pay-per-kWh system, where you pay £0.79 per kWh of electricity consumed while charging your EV.
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Long Stay: Unfortunately, there is no EV charging available in Gatwick’s official Long Stay car parks as of now.
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APH Park & Ride: EV charging is available through APH when booked as an add-on to your parking reservation. Prices depend on the service package you select.
Useful Tips for EV Drivers
Before we wrap up with some FAQs, here are a few pro tips to make your EV parking experience at Gatwick smooth and hassle-free:
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Pre-Book Early: Whether you’re opting for official Valet parking with charging or an off-site service like APH, book your spot in advance. EV-capable parking spaces are limited and can fill up during peak travel times. Booking early not only guarantees your space but often gets you a better price.
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Bring Your Charging Cable: Most airport chargers (particularly the 22 kW Pod Points in Short Stay and the APH chargers) require you to use your own Type 2 charging cable. Don’t forget to pack it! (Public DC fast chargers like at the Gridserve forecourt or BP hub have tethered cables, so no cable needed there.)
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Know Your Connector Type: The standard at Gatwick is Type 2 for AC charging. If your car uses a Type 1 or has a different inlet (some older EVs or imports), you’ll need an adapter to use the Pod Points. For DC rapid charging, CCS is the common connector in the UK (with CHAdeMO also available at the BP hub for older Nissan Leafs, for example). Tesla Superchargers at Gatwick use the CCS standard (and Tesla’s older proprietary connector isn’t used at these sites). Basically, almost all modern EVs will be fine with the available connectors, but double-check if you drive something unusual.
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Download the Pod Point App (and others): As mentioned, the Pod Point Open Charge app is your key to using the on-site Gatwick chargers. Set it up before you travel, including adding a payment method. It will save you time and let you monitor charging status. If you plan to use the BP Pulse hub, having the BP Pulse app can provide additional info (though contactless works without it). And while not required, Zap-Map or similar apps are useful to locate alternative chargers nearby if needed.
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Allow Extra Time for Charging: If you intend to charge right before a flight, build a buffer into your schedule. There might be a queue for the charger, or it might take longer than expected to get the range you want. Arriving 30-60 minutes earlier than you usually would can relieve the stress. Similarly, when you land, remember that everyone on your flight who drives an EV might have the same idea to charge immediately – so you might find a line at the forecourt or short stay chargers. Have a backup plan (for example, you can always head to a further charger on your route home if needed instead of waiting a long time at the airport). Most of the time it’s fine, but it pays to be flexible.
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Secure Your Charging Settings: If using valet or park-and-ride services, put your car in Valet Mode if it has one (to limit speed and lock personal info). Also, if you can schedule charging or set a max charge, communicate that to the staff or set it in the car – e.g. if you only need 80% and want to preserve battery health. The APH team suggests valet mode and requires at least 5% battery on drop-off, as mentioned earlier. Little things like this ensure a smoother experience.
With these tips in mind, you’ll be well prepared to park your EV at Gatwick Airport with confidence.
Top 5 FAQs for EV Charging at Gatwick Airport
If you park in the Short Stay car park, you technically could leave your EV plugged in there, but it’s not recommended for long trips – Short Stay parking is very expensive for multi-day stays, and the EV bays aren’t meant for long-term use. The Long Stay car parks currently have no charging stations, so you can’t leave it plugged in on-site long term. The best solution for multi-day parking is to use a service like Valet parking with an EV charge (they’ll charge it, then unplug and store your car) or an off-site Park & Ride with EV service (like APH), which will charge your car once and then keep it safe until you return. In both cases, your car won’t remain continuously charging the whole trip, it will just receive a charge at the start (or at a scheduled time) and then be ready for you when you come back.
To use Gatwick’s Pod Point chargers (located in the Short Stay car parks), download the Pod Point “Open Charge” app beforehand and set up an account. When you arrive at the EV bay, plug in your car with your own cable, then use the app to find that specific charger and start the session within 15 minutes. The cost is calculated per kWh of electricity, roughly on the order of £0.25/kWh as of recently, but subject to change. There’s no flat fee to plug in; you pay for what you consume via the app (which charges your card). Tip: The Pod Point app will show the live availability of the chargers at Gatwick, so you can check if a bay is free before you enter the car park. Normal parking fees apply separately based on how long you stay in the Short Stay lot.
No, there isn’t any free public EV charging at Gatwick Airport. All the chargers – whether the 22kW Pod Points, the Valet service, or the third-party hubs, will incur a fee (either per kWh or a set service fee). For example, the Pod Point chargers charge per kWh, the Valet EV service charges an add-on fee for the charging session, and the Gridserve/BP hubs charge per kWh via contactless payment. Occasionally, some hotel chargers or supermarket points nearby might offer free charging for customers, but those aren’t under Gatwick’s operation and usually have their own conditions. It’s best to assume you’ll be paying for the convenience of charging your car, and plan that into your travel budget. The good news is the fees are generally reasonable for the amount of range you get.
Not necessarily fully, but enough to get you going. When you book the APH EV service, you choose either a 30 kWh or 60 kWh charge package. They will deliver approximately that much energy to your car (with one charging session after you drop off). In many cases, opting for the 60 kWh service will nearly or completely fill your battery, especially if you arrive with a decent charge already. For example, if your car battery is around 60 kWh total and you arrive at 20%, a 60 kWh top-up would bring it to 100%. However, if you arrive nearly empty or have a very large battery (say 100 kWh pack), 60 kWh might charge it to around 60-70%. The 30 kWh option is intended as a modest top-up – ideal if you only need perhaps ~100-150 miles of range to get home. The goal is to ensure you have enough charge for your onward journey. It might not always be 100%, but it will definitely save you a charging stop on the way home. If having a full battery is critical, consider the Valet option (they give ~44 kWh, which could be closer to full for mid-size EVs) or plan to use a rapid charger after pickup.
This is a common worry, since EV spots are limited. For the Short Stay Pod Points, you unfortunately cannot reserve a charger in advance – it’s first-come, first-served. Using the Pod Point app to check status is your best bet; if it shows all points occupied, you might decide to head to an alternative charger (like the Gridserve forecourt) instead of wasting time driving into the Short Stay. For Valet parking with EV, availability is managed via your booking – if you’ve booked the service, that guarantees they will allocate charger time for your car. Just make sure to book the EV option along with the Valet parking in advance (you can’t just show up and expect an automatic charge without that pre-booking). With APH Park & Ride (or other off-site services), again, booking ahead is key. These providers have a set number of charging slots per day, and once you’ve reserved one, you’re all set. In summary: pre-book any official EV charging services (Valet, APH, etc.) as early as possible. And for general charging availability, technology is your friend – use the apps (Pod Point, BP Pulse, etc.) to monitor live charger status. Gatwick is a busy place, but with a bit of planning you’ll rarely find yourself completely without an option.
With all these options and tips in mind, driving your electric vehicle to Gatwick can be as smooth as silk. Plan ahead, take advantage of the services on offer, and you’ll return from your trip to an EV that’s ready to roll. GatwickParking.co.uk is here to help make your journey easier, feel free to compare and book the best long-stay EV parking option for your needs directly on our site. Safe travels, and happy charging!
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this page are correct at the time of posting, June 10, 2025. Prices and availability are subject to change. We recommend checking current details before booking or using any services.