Complete guide to electric car charging points at UK airports

With more people investing in electric cars, we list the EV charging points offered by airports across Great Britain for drivers dropping off or picking up friends and family at the terminal.

Don't head to to drop-off or pick up before finding out here if  facilities are available to top up your battery should you require it. 

Find out where you can charge electric cars at UK airports. (Credit: Pixabay)

Can I charge my electric car at the airport while picking up or dropping off a friend or family member?

Many of the UK's major air travel hubs offer electric car facilities for those on a quick trip to the terminals - as opposed to drivers who park in long stay car parks while they are travelling. 

However, there are not huge numbers of chargers available at most and some have no such facilities at all, which is disappointing as the aviation industry is being urged to clean up its emissions. 

UK airports with public electric charging points (ECPs)

Here are the UK airports with  facilities for drivers looking to give their car's battery a quick top-up.

Aberdeen Airport electric car charging

Four charging units are available on the first floor of the Short Stay car park, conveniently positioned near the lift and stair access to the main terminal. Additionally, two charging points can be found in the Priority car park, to the left of the entrance and adjacent to the customer payment area.

Just turn up at the Short Stay or Priority car parks and pay the gate rate for time it takes to add charge. 

Aberdeen Airport EV car charge details here.

Birmingham International Airport electric car charging

Birmingham Airport says it is committed to promoting cleaner and greener transport solutions. GRIDSERVE electric vehicle charging points are available in the Premium Set Down car park, equipped with the following connectors:

• 3 x CCS
• 1 x CHAdeMO
• 1 x Type 2

EV customers benefit from a discounted parking tariff when using the charging points:

• For customers with a valid booking for any Birmingham Airport official car park: Free exit from the Premium Set Down car park upon presenting a valid booking confirmation.
• For users of the Premium Set Down car park only: £5 for the first 90 minutes, with an additional £5 charged for every subsequent 15 minutes.

To claim the reduced tariff, please visit the Customer Service cabin within the Premium Set Down car park after charging, and provide your vehicle registration number.

Find out more about EV facilities at Birmingham Airport.

Bristol Airport electric car charging

According to the airport's customer service team: 'Bristol Airport does not currently have passenger EV charging facilities. the closest EV charger is located by Lye Cross Farm and is a 120KW charger for vehicles which have a CCS combo connector or CHADEMO charge.'

East Midlands Airport electric car charging

There are several top-up options available at East Midlands, but these appear to be for travellers who have booked cars into the facility's car parks and not for turn-up-and-charge customers.

Donnington Park Services offers ECPs just 1.7 miles from the terminal. Post code is DE74 2TN. See Zap Map.

Edinburgh Airport electric car charging

Electric vehicle charging points are now available at Edinburgh Airport, supporting the airport's commitment to promoting sustainable transport options.

The designated EV charging spaces are reserved exclusively for vehicles actively using the chargers; other vehicles should avoid parking in these spaces.

Charging rates for Terminal Parking and Plane Parking are £0.55 per kWh, plus a £1 plugin fee.

More information on EV chargers at Edinburgh Airport here.

Glasgow Airport electric car charging

Free bays can be used within the multi storey car park. Car Park 1 has six ECPs available for use. Just pay turn-up-and-park rates while you charge.

Get more details here on EV facilities at GLA.

Leeds Bradford Airport electric car charging

The airport states: 'Unfortunately, we do not currently provide EV charging. The nearest EV charging point to the Airport is GeniePoint charging station, 14 High Street Yeadon LS19 7PP. This is approx. 2 miles from the Airport.'

See what the facility has to say about the chargers here. 

Liverpool Airport electric car charging

The airport has two chargers in Long Stay for short-term usage. Car parking charges apply to non-pre-booked passengers, as of 1 January 2024.

Find out more details on the charge points here. 

London City Airport electric car charging

London Gatwick Airport electric car charging

Find out more Gatwick electric vehicle charger information here. 

London Heathrow electric car charging

Heathrow has many ECPs across its terminals, but many of these are restricted to staff and partners. However, there are some public-facing charge points available to drivers picking up friends and family from the terminals.

You can find the location of Heathrow's electric car charging points by taking a look at this map.

London Luton Airport electric car charging

London Luton offers six Tesla charger points, and four type 2 points that can be used by the public. These are located on the 2nd floor of Terminal Car Park 1.

Drivers picking up (or dropping off) at Luton Airport can pay £1.00 for 30 minutes' parking - during which their vehicle will be connected to a charger. The discount only applies to 100% electric vehicles and not hybrids. Find out more info here about EV chargers at Luton Airport. 

London Southend Airport electric car charging

The first electric vehicle (EV) charging point at London Southend Airport was installed in the Jet Centre car park in February, intended for use by Jet Centre customers and airport staff. Plans are underway to expand EV charging facilities to accommodate growing passenger demand as the airport continues to develop.

London Stansted Airport electric car charging

London Stansted Airport has introduced a new high-speed electric vehicle (EV) charging hub along with two new drive-thru food outlets. The hub, operated in collaboration with Swarco, features 10 charging bays capable of delivering up to 150 kW, allowing for full vehicle charges within 30 minutes. The site also now hosts new drive-thru restaurants: Burger King and Caffe Nero.

Situated on Thremhall Avenue, a key route to and from the airport, the facility is designed to serve a wide range of users, including airport passengers, staff, local businesses, commuters, and the surrounding community.

Manchester Airport electric car charging

Manchester Airport provides electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across various parking facilities. These charging points can be found in:

• The ground floor of the Terminal 1 Multi-Storey Car Park
• The ground floor of the Terminal 2 Multi-Storey Car Park
• The Terminal 3 Multi-Storey Car Park

Newcastle Airport electric car charging

EV charging stations are available for passengers at the airport, with four stations located in the Short Stay 1 car park.

To use these charging points, passengers need to download the Fuuse mobile app. The app can be accessed via the QR code provided at each EV charging location. Registration is straightforward: users simply input their payment card details and scan the QR code at the specific charging point to start charging.

Find out more details of the EV chargers here.

Southampton Airport electric car charging

There are four units located on the first floor of the short stay car park, while two ECPs are to be found in the priority car park near the exit barriers. Anyone can turn and use them - while picking up or dropping off - in both car parks and simply pay the gate-rate for the parking time it takes to add sufficient charge. Use the Pod Point app to provide unlimited charging.

Information of Southampton Airport's electric car charge points are here.

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