Swarco E.Connect has undergone a significant transformation. The network, which built a substantial footprint of public chargers across UK towns and cities, now operates under a new name: Evolt Network. If you search for “Swarco E.Connect” today, you will be redirected to evoltnetwork.co.uk. The underlying infrastructure is largely the same, but the brand — and some of the operational focus — has shifted.
Key Takeaways
- Swarco E.Connect has rebranded as Evolt Network (evoltnetwork.co.uk).
- The network operates 2,916 chargers across 553 UK locations as of March 2026.
- Pricing varies by site — some charge points are free; rapid chargers typically cost around 79p/kWh.
- Access is via the Evolt app or compatible RFID card.
- The network is concentrated in Birmingham, Manchester, Cardiff, Cambridge, Stoke-on-Trent and London.
What Is Swarco E.Connect?
Swarco E.Connect was the UK public charging brand of SWARCO, an Austrian traffic technology and infrastructure company. SWARCO entered the EV charging market by deploying charge points across UK local authority sites, car parks, and commercial locations.
In 2024, the network rebranded to Evolt Network, positioning itself as an end-to-end EV charging infrastructure provider — covering design, grid connection, installation, software management, and ongoing maintenance under a single contract. For drivers, the practical difference is mainly visual. The hardware at Evolt/Swarco sites is the same as before, and existing RFID cards and app accounts continue to work.
Where Evolt (Formerly Swarco E.Connect) Operates
As of March 2026, the Evolt Network operates 2,916 chargers across 553 locations in the UK. The network is concentrated in specific regional clusters:
- Birmingham — a significant number of council and commercial site deployments.
- Manchester — city centre and suburban locations.
- Cardiff — Welsh capital and surrounding areas.
- Cambridge — council-backed car park and on-street locations.
- Stoke-on-Trent — a notable cluster from early local authority contracts.
- London — various borough and commercial deployments.
All locations can be found via Zapmap or the Evolt app.
Swarco / Evolt Pricing Per kWh
Pricing on the Evolt/Swarco network is not standardised across all sites. Some sites are fully free to use while others charge energy costs, connection fees, or both.
For rapid chargers specifically, the typical rate is around 79p/kWh. However, you should always check the rate displayed at the charge point or in the app before starting a session, as it can differ.
Some charge points — particularly in older local authority deployments — are free at the point of use, with costs covered by the council or site owner as a public amenity.
The App and RFID Card
Access to Evolt/Swarco chargers is available through:
- Evolt app — available on iOS and Android, the app allows you to locate chargers, start sessions and manage billing.
- RFID card — the network supports RFID authentication for drivers who prefer a physical card.
- Roaming compatibility — the network is compatible with some roaming providers.
If you hold a legacy Swarco E.Connect card or app account, these should remain valid on the rebranded Evolt network.
How to Pay
Payment methods vary by site but typically include:
- App payment via the Evolt app (linked debit or credit card)
- RFID card registered to an Evolt account
- Some locations offer contactless bank card payment directly at the charge point
Sites where the council has opted for a free-at-point-of-use model will not require any payment at all.
Real-World Reliability
Evolt/Swarco’s reliability reputation is mixed. As with any network that spans a wide range of site types — including older local authority deployments — uptime varies significantly between locations. Newer commercial sites tend to be more reliable than older council installations. Drivers using Zapmap can check live status and recent reliability scores for individual units before travelling to a site.
Evolt vs the Alternatives
Evolt vs bp pulse: BP Pulse operates a much larger network (around 5,400 chargers) with a more consistent pricing structure. If you want predictable rates and a single subscription across a wide estate, BP Pulse is simpler. However, if your nearest public charger happens to be a free-at-point-of-use Evolt unit, that clearly wins on cost.
Evolt vs home charging: A dedicated EV tariff at home can cost 8-18p/kWh overnight, versus 79p/kWh at an Evolt rapid charger. Visit our EV charging costs guide to explore the numbers in more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Swarco E.Connect the same as Evolt Network? Yes. Swarco E.Connect rebranded as Evolt Network in 2024. The underlying infrastructure, charge points and account systems are the same. The website is now evoltnetwork.co.uk, and existing Swarco app accounts and RFID cards continue to work.
How much does it cost to charge on the Swarco / Evolt network? Pricing varies by site. Some Evolt/Swarco charge points are completely free to use, particularly at older local authority sites funded as a public amenity. For rapid chargers, expect to pay around 79p/kWh, though the exact rate is displayed at the charge point and in the app.
Where are Swarco / Evolt chargers located? The network has 2,916 chargers across 553 UK locations as of March 2026, concentrated in Birmingham, Manchester, Cardiff, Cambridge, Stoke-on-Trent and London. All locations can be found via Zapmap or the Evolt app.