The Pros & Cons of Private Vs Public EV Charging in 2026

This post was updated on 28/01/2026

Fleets, employees, and individuals all have different needs when it comes to charging their EVs; figuring out which is right for you can help keep costs down and improve a driver’s experience.

Many EV drivers can’t or don’t have private chargers and manage just fine. Others may find it almost impossible without having permanent access to a dedicated charger.

Private and public charging for electric vehicles each come with their pros and cons, depending on what solution you’re looking for. This piece explores everything you need to know.

How Does Public EV Charging Work?

“Public EV Charging” refers to any charge points along roadsides, in car parks, and at businesses such as supermarkets and restaurants. You simply park up, plug in, pay and wait for your car to charge.

There are public EV charging points all across the UK. You can find your nearest point using a chargepoint map whenever you need to.

The process of using a public EV charger is simple:

1. To begin charging, you simply need to plug the connector into your vehicle.
2. Sign in to your app, use your contactless card, or a relevant RFID card.
3. Follow the instructions to start the charging process.
4. Come back when you’ve reached the desired charge level.
5. Unplug and drive away. Payment will be handled through your app or card.

These charge points may use tethered (permanently attached to the charger) or untethered cables (you need to use your own), and will have varying charging speeds dependent on the provider.

EV charging speeds typically fall into the following brackets*:

• Slow (3-pin Plug): 3kW, 15-20 hrs charge time
• Standard (Home Wallbox): 7kW, 8-10 hrs charge time
• Fast (AC): 22kW, 3-4 hrs charge time
• Rapid (DC): 50kW, 1 hr charge time (to 80%**)
• Ultra-Rapid (DC): 150kW+, 20-30 mins charge time (to 80%**)

*For a typical 60kWh battery, as found in cars such as the Tesla Model 3, Volvo XC40, or MG4.

** Rapid chargers reduce speeds significantly at over 80% charge level to protect the battery.

Most public EV charging hubs will use chargers rated Fast and above, although some workplaces may utilise Standard (7kW) speeds. Although 7kW may seem slow, they’re ideal for use when somebody is at work all day, without drawing too much power from the grid.

What Are the Pros of Public EV Charging?

The biggest benefit of public charging stations is their flexibility.

No matter where you, your employee, or your fleet may be, you will still be able to charge your vehicle as you need.

You can access rapid charge points, find the cheapest charging point near you, or preemptively find a charge point to leave your car at while you wander around town. Many people without access to off-street parking also use EV chargers in lamp posts on residential streets.

What Are the Cons of Public EV Charging?

The cons? The lack of stability, Costs, and availability can vary depending on the point you’re using.

You might only have 30 minutes to charge, but you find all the rapid charging are in use, or the charging cost at the available station may be higher than you expected.

Who can benefit from public EV charging?

Flexibility and stability are direct trade-offs.

If you’re an individual driver and are used to having to refuel at varying costs and locations already, the flexibility of public charging will be an enormous benefit.

However, if you’re a business looking for a fleet solution, the instability of public charging can cause issues. Not being able to predict monthly costs, and having drivers charge at different times, can quickly become unmanageable.

How Does Private EV Charging Work?

Private EV Charging refers to any charge points that are not accessible by the general public. This could be a home charge point, charge points for your employees at your place of business, or charging stations designated for your EV fleet.

You can charge exactly as you would from a public chargepoint, although it’s dependent on the kind of charge point you have installed.

There’s an upfront cost for installation, and these vary depending on the kind of charge point you have installed, but you can apply for grants from the government, such as the Workplace Charging Scheme. The WCS provides financial support towards the cost of installing up to 40 EV charge points, with a cap of £350 per socket.

However, this is due to end in March 2026. As of January 2026, there have been no communications from the government that suggest it will be extended or replaced.

What Are the Pros of Private EV Charging?

The biggest pro of private charging is control.

You know how much your chargepoint will cost you to use every time you use it, and your chargepoint will always be available for you to use.

There are helpful apps, including our Fleet Charging Portal, that allow you to create charging schedules; this means that you’ll never be caught out and have to use public charge points on top of your private charging.

What Are the Cons of Private EV Charging?

The biggest con of private charging is the upfront cost and requirements. For large operations, it also requires a grid connection with enough capacity.

If you’re an individual, it’s not necessarily feasible to have a charge point installed at your home. Even for businesses and fleet charging, having charge points installed is an investment in both time and costs that not all businesses are ready for.

Who can benefit from private EV charging?

If you’re looking for a charging solution as a business, private charging is likely the most sustainable way forward.

If you lease electric vehicles to your employees, or if you’re looking for a fleet solution, installing private charging points allows you to assess usage and ROI with ease. In combination with the back office solutions that come with fleet & commercial charging installations, private charging gives you an enormous amount of control and information that you can use to keep your business strong.

Which EV Charging Approach is Right for You?

Many private EV owners can and do use solely public EV chargers without issue. If you can’t install a charger at home, or don’t have access to one, this is a viable way to embrace EV motoring.

However, if you value reliability and convenience, or operate a fleet of EVs, investing in private EV charging is often a much better choice in the long-term.

Do you need further advice regarding your EV charging needs? Our team of experts are always here to help, and work with organisations around the UK and Europe to develop and implement EV charging hub strategies at any scale. Contact us to find out how we can help you electrify your fleet.