| News | Drivers

A Step-by-Step Guide to Charging on Mer’s Public EV Charging Network

Whether you are new to Mer or regularly charge using our public EV charging network, this step-by-step guide covers everything you need to know about charging with us.

connecting to Mer charger

Charging your electric vehicle with Mer’s EV charging points is simple and convenient. Whether you’re a guest user or a registered customer, our step-by-step guide will help you get started quickly and efficiently. We’ll cover key information about our public charge points, including:

  • How to find EV charge points near you
  • How to use a charge point on the Mer network
  • How to pay for a charging session
  • Frequently asked questions from drivers

How do I find Mer electric vehicle charging points near me?

Mer Driver Portal

You can search for charge points in specific locations in the Mer Driver Portal and view the nearest charge points as a list by clicking on ‘list results’.

Mer Connect UK app

Open the app – the closest available charger will appear on the homepage. You can also enter your location to find the nearest public charger on Mer’s network.

External providers

You can also search for available Mer EV charge points on Zapmap, the UK’s leading app and digital platform for EV drivers.

How do I use a public EV charger on the Mer network?

The Mer public charging network is home to a variety of charger types, from 22kW fast chargers to 150kW ultra-rapid chargers to suit your needs whether it’s a quick splash and dash or an overnight stay.

Head over to our YouTube channel, where you can watch our short how-to videos to get to grips with the following chargers on our public network.

More support for how to charge with Mer

Our charge point user guides also provide all the need-to-know information on each individual public charger currently on our network.

Our dedicated customer service team provide support for drivers using the Mer public network via phone and email. You can also contact the team through our app. Drivers can contact customer service 24/7, so your charging experience can be as hassle-free as possible.

Young woman charging white electric car

How to charge as a guest or registered customer

Charging as a Guest User

Charging your EV as a guest user with Mer is straightforward:

Connect the Cable
Plug the charging cable into your car.

Find Your Location in the app
Enter your location or check the socket number on the charger.

Select the Charge Point
Choose the charge point in the app, swipe to connect, and add your details to start the charge. You can pay by contactless payment, Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Stop the Charge
When you’re done, swipe stop in the app and disconnect the cable from your car. A receipt will be emailed to you after your charge.

Charging as a Registered Customer

If you’re a registered customer, the process is just as easy:

Create an Account
Sign up on the app or the Driver Portal to order a Mer charge card. Keep this in your wallet or your car’s glovebox for easy access. Once you’ve received your charge card, activate it using the 8-digit code on the front and you can start using Mer’s charging network.

Connect the Cable
Find a free charger near you and connect the cable to your car.

Use the Charge Card
Hold the charge card on the charger’s card reader, in the same way you would with contactless, to start the charge.

Stop the Charge
To stop the charge, hold the charge card on the card reader again and disconnect the cable from your car. As a registered user, you’ve got access to your charging history, billing overview, and much more. Your login details will work across the App and the Driver Portal.

How much does it cost to use a Mer public EV charger?

The cost of charging an EV at our public stations varies depending on the type of charger you are using (fast/rapid), who owns the charger (Mer or local authorities), and whether you are a registered, guest, roaming, or contactless user. However, you should expect to pay between 55p and 80p per kWh.

View our price list for full details.

Do you work with roaming partners?

Our roaming agreements with other charge point operators ensure you can access our network easily, without the need for multiple accounts and apps. We partner with Allstar, Octopus Electroverse (Octopus Energy), Paua, Zapmap and Tap Electric. Find out more here

Mer Public EV Charging Points FAQs

When you start a charging session at a Mer EV charger, we request a pre-authorisation of £20 on your chosen payment method.

A pre-authorisation charge is a temporary hold of funds requested by Mer to your debit or credit card provider. This does not leave your credit or debit card and remains ‘pending’ or ‘on hold’ until the charging session finishes, and the actual cost of the transaction is ready to be charged to your account.

To find out more about preauthorisation charges, visit our Terms & Conditions page.

Whether you are looking for a CHAdeMO, CCS or type 2 charge point, you can filter your search by charging type to find the right charge point for your EV in our Driver Portal and our app. You can also filter by speed and currently available charge points in your area.

If you are using a fast charge point (up to 22kW), you’ll need your own cable. However, chargers from 25kW will come with a connector (cable) attached.

For more information, head over to our FAQ page or Contact Us if you still need help.

More EV charging news