Char.gy is one of the UK’s leading on-street residential charging networks, built around a simple idea: affordable, accessible EV charging for people who do not have a driveway. Using existing lamp-posts and bollards, char.gy installs slow AC charge points in residential streets and local car parks, working with councils to deploy charging where drivers actually live and park overnight.
Key Takeaways
- Char.gy operates 4,962 on-street chargers across the UK as of March 2026, primarily at lamp-posts and bollards.
- Day rate (7am to midnight): 59p/kWh. Night rate (midnight to 7am): 39p/kWh.
- No RFID card or subscription needed — sessions start via QR code scan on any smartphone.
- Char.gy claims 99% network uptime across its estate.
- The network works with local authorities to provide residential on-street charging for flat and terraced-house residents.
- Fleet drivers can pay via Allstar card through the char.gy app.
What Is Char.gy?
Char.gy is a UK company specialising in on-street residential EV charging using lamp-post and bollard infrastructure. Like ubitricity, char.gy routes electricity through existing lamp-post feeds, avoiding the need to excavate pavements to lay new cabling. This reduces installation cost and timescales significantly, enabling councils to deploy charging at residential street scale.
Where char.gy differs from ubitricity is in its access method. Char.gy requires no RFID card and no dedicated app download — you scan a QR code on the charge point and pay through a web browser on your phone. This frictionless access model was designed to lower the barrier for first-time public charger users.
Where Char.gy Operates
As of March 2026, char.gy operates 4,962 EV chargers across the UK. The network has a strong presence in London — char.gy was behind some of the capital’s first public lamppost charge points — alongside coverage in other English regions where councils have commissioned on-street charging programmes.
Char.gy works directly with local authorities to identify streets and car parks suitable for lamp-post-mounted chargers, prioritising areas with high concentrations of residents without off-street parking.
You can find nearby char.gy units via the char.gy web app or Zapmap.
Char.gy Pricing Per kWh
Char.gy uses a two-tier time-of-use tariff:
| Time period | Rate |
|---|---|
| Day tariff: 7am to midnight | 59p/kWh |
| Night tariff: midnight to 7am | 39p/kWh |
If your session spans a tariff change (for example, starting at 11.30pm and ending at 1am), billing automatically adjusts so you pay the correct rate for electricity drawn during each period.
There are no connection fees, no idle fees, and no subscription required. The night rate of 39p/kWh is among the most affordable on-street AC charging rates in the UK, making char.gy a practical overnight charging option for drivers who park in a residential street.
For a full comparison of public and home charging costs, see our EV charging costs guide.
How to Start Charging at Char.gy
Char.gy is one of the most straightforward networks to use, with no registration required before your first session.
- Locate the charge point — find a nearby unit via char.gy’s web app or Zapmap.
- Scan the QR code — the QR code on the unit opens a browser-based payment page.
- Enter your payment details — pay by debit or credit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
- Plug in your cable — char.gy uses a standard Type 2 socket, so you need your own Type 2 charging cable.
- Charge and go — the session ends when you unplug or stop it via the web interface.
No RFID Card Required
Unlike most public charging networks, char.gy does not use or require RFID cards. The QR code on each unit replaces the RFID handshake entirely. This has a few practical implications:
- Lower friction for new users — no need to order a card, wait for delivery, or set up an account before charging.
- Fleet access via Allstar — business drivers can pay using an Allstar card through the char.gy app.
Real-World Reliability
Char.gy claims 99% uptime across its estate. The lamp-post installation model has inherent advantages: units are compact, with fewer mechanical components than freestanding rapid chargers. The most common reported issues relate to units at specific locations being temporarily out of service due to local electrical maintenance by the council, which is outside char.gy’s direct control.
Char.gy vs the Alternatives
Char.gy vs ubitricity: Both networks use lamp-post infrastructure and serve residential on-street charging. Char.gy’s night rate (39p/kWh) is cheaper than ubitricity’s off-peak rate (44p/kWh), and char.gy requires no app download or Shell account. Ubitricity has a significantly larger network (14,600-plus chargers) and the smart charging feature that automatically avoids peak rates.
Char.gy vs home charging: On-street charging at 39-59p/kWh is significantly more expensive than home charging on a dedicated EV tariff (typically 8-18p/kWh). If you are in a position to install a home charger, the annual saving is substantial. Compare the costs for your situation in our EV charging costs guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does char.gy cost per kWh? Char.gy charges 59p/kWh during the day (7am to midnight) and 39p/kWh at night (midnight to 7am). Billing automatically adjusts at the tariff boundary if your session crosses midnight. There are no connection fees, idle fees, or subscription charges.
Do I need an RFID card or app to use char.gy? No. Char.gy is one of the few UK charging networks that requires neither an RFID card nor an app download. You start a session by scanning the QR code on the charge point with any smartphone and paying through the browser-based payment page. Fleet drivers can pay via Allstar card through the char.gy app.
What type of cable do I need for char.gy? Char.gy units use Type 2 sockets. You need your own Type 2 to Type 2 cable, or a Type 2 to Type 1 cable if your vehicle has a Type 1 inlet. Most modern EVs come with a Type 2 cable included in the accessory pack.
Is char.gy available in my street? Char.gy availability depends on your local council’s EV charging programme. You can check nearby units using the char.gy web app or Zapmap. If your council has not yet partnered with char.gy, you can contact them to ask about on-street charging plans.