Ubitricity is the UK’s largest public EV charging network — and most drivers walk past its chargers every day without realising. Concealed inside lamp-posts and bollards across more than 30 local authority areas, the Shell-owned network has built a nationwide footprint of more than 14,000 on-street charge points by tapping into infrastructure that already exists.
Key Takeaways
- Ubitricity is the UK’s largest EV charging network with over 14,600 chargers as of March 2026.
- It is owned by Shell and operates under the Shell Recharge brand at the charge point level.
- Charging is primarily slow AC (7kW), suited to overnight or all-day residential parking.
- Time-of-use pricing: 44p/kWh off-peak (midnight to 7am), 55p/kWh standard, 66p/kWh peak (4pm to 8pm).
- Smart charging allows you to plug in any time and automatically avoid peak rates.
- No RFID card or subscription required — access is via QR code or the Shell app.
What Is Ubitricity?
Ubitricity is an EV charging company founded in Germany in 2008, focused on on-street residential charging using existing lamp-post and bollard infrastructure. Shell acquired ubitricity in February 2021, making it a wholly owned subsidiary within Shell’s Mobility division. Since September 2023, ubitricity charge points have progressively been rebranded as Shell Recharge at the physical unit level.
The key insight behind ubitricity is straightforward: urban lamp-posts already have electricity connections. By installing a compact charging unit inside the lamp-post casing, the network avoids the need to excavate pavements to lay new electrical supply cables. This reduces installation costs and time significantly, enabling councils to deploy on-street charging at scale.
Where Ubitricity Operates
As of March 2026, ubitricity operates 14,617 charge points across the UK, making it by far the largest charging network in the country by charger count. The network has partnered with more than 30 local authorities including councils in London, the South East, the Midlands and beyond.
If you live in a street without a driveway, ubitricity chargers are likely to be one of your closest charging options. The network is particularly dense in inner London boroughs, but coverage extends to suburban and regional council areas.
You can find nearby units via the interactive map at charge.ubitricity.com, through the Shell app, or via third-party apps including Zapmap and Octopus Electroverse.
Ubitricity Pricing Per kWh
Ubitricity moved to a time-of-use tariff from 1 April 2026, replacing an earlier flat-rate structure. The current rates are:
| Time period | Rate |
|---|---|
| Off-peak: midnight to 7am | 44p/kWh |
| Standard: 7am to 4pm, 8pm to midnight | 55p/kWh |
| Peak: 4pm to 8pm | 66p/kWh |
| Flat rate (non-smart chargers) | 54p/kWh |
There are no connection fees and no subscription costs. For comparison, home overnight charging on a dedicated EV tariff typically costs between 8p and 18p/kWh. See our EV charging costs guide for a full comparison.
Smart Charging: Avoiding the Peak Rate
One of ubitricity’s standout features is its smart charging functionality. If you plug in during peak hours (4pm to 8pm), you can select smart charging mode, which automatically pauses your session and resumes it at 8pm at the standard or off-peak rate.
This is particularly useful for drivers who return home from work in the early evening and plug in before the peak window has closed. Rather than paying 66p/kWh, the charger will wait and restart at the cheaper rate — at no inconvenience to you, since most residential parking sessions extend well into the evening anyway.
The App and How to Pay
Ubitricity does not require an RFID card. Access is available through:
- QR code — scan the QR code on the charge point with your phone to start a session via the web interface.
- Shell app — the Shell e-mobility app allows you to find chargers, start sessions and manage billing.
- Third-party apps — compatible with Octopus Electroverse and other roaming providers.
A £40 bank pre-authorisation hold is applied at the start of each session. This is a standard hold rather than an immediate charge — the actual amount billed is deducted after the session ends. The hold is released within 3 to 15 working days depending on your bank.
Real-World Reliability
Ubitricity lamp-post chargers are slow AC units (primarily 7kW, with some 22kW bollards). The main reliability concerns reported by drivers relate to individual lamp-post units becoming unavailable due to local electrical faults or maintenance by the council rather than ubitricity directly. Reporting a fault is done via the Shell app or the QR code interface.
Ubitricity vs the Alternatives
Ubitricity vs char.gy: Char.gy is ubitricity’s closest direct rival in on-street lamp-post charging. Char.gy operates around 4,962 chargers and charges 59p/kWh during the day and 39p/kWh at night — competitive with ubitricity’s standard rate but cheaper overnight. Char.gy requires no app download and can be accessed entirely via a web browser. Ubitricity has a significantly larger network and the smart charging feature that automatically avoids peak rates.
Ubitricity vs home charging: For drivers with off-street parking, a home charger remains far cheaper than any public network. A dedicated overnight EV tariff can bring your per-kWh cost to well under 20p. Visit our EV charging costs guide to see how much you could save by installing a home unit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns ubitricity? Shell acquired ubitricity in February 2021. It is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Shell operating within the Shell Mobility division. Physical charge points have been progressively rebranded as Shell Recharge since September 2023.
How much does ubitricity cost per kWh? From April 2026, ubitricity charges 44p/kWh off-peak (midnight to 7am), 55p/kWh at standard times, and 66p/kWh during peak hours (4pm to 8pm). Non-smart-charging capable units use a flat rate of 54p/kWh. There are no connection fees or subscription costs.
Do I need an RFID card to use ubitricity? No. Ubitricity charge points can be activated via QR code scan using any smartphone browser, or through the Shell app. No physical RFID card is required, and there is no subscription needed.
Can I use ubitricity if I live in a flat without a driveway? Yes. Ubitricity was specifically designed to serve drivers without off-street parking. Its lamp-post chargers are installed in residential streets and local car parks across more than 30 UK local authority areas.