The rapid growth of the electric vehicle (EV) industry has led to an increasing demand for EV charging facilities. More people are choosing electric cars, and it’s predicted that by 2030, sales of new petrol and diesel cars will be banned, with all new cars and vans to be fully zero-emission by 2035. As a result, public EV charging points in the UK have seen a 335% increase from 2016 to 2021, according to data. But what about airports? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into the availability of electric car charging at Luton Airport Parking and other UK airports.
London Luton Airport and Its Embrace of EV Charging
London Luton Airport has been proactive in accommodating the needs of electric vehicle owners. The airport offers 6 Tesla Chargers and 4 type 2 EV charging points that are accessible to the public. These charging stations are located on the 2nd floor of Terminal Car Park 1.
Charging Fees at Luton Airport
The charging facilities at Luton Airport are not free, but the costs are reasonably priced. The fee structure is as follows:
| Duration | Gate Price |
|---|---|
| Up to 30 minutes | £1.00 |
| 30 to 45 minutes | £12.50 |
| 45 to 60 minutes | £17.50 |
| 1 to 2 hours | £22.00 |
| 2 to 3 hours | £28.50 |
| 3 to 4 hours | £37.00 |
| 4 to 5 hours | £39.00 |
| 5 to 9 hours | £61.00 |
| 9 to 24 hours | £67.50 |
| Each additional day, or part of a day | £67.50 |
Please note that there is a maximum of eight hours charging time in the actual charging bays.
How to Use the EV Charging Points at Luton Airport
Using the EV charging points at Luton Airport is a straightforward process. Here are the steps:
- Drive to Level 2 of Terminal Car Park 1.
- Find the EV charging spots close to Priority Parking.
- Plug in your car to start charging. There is no need for apps or payment at the point of charging.
- Visit the Priority Parking office on the 2nd floor to inform them that you’re charging your vehicle.
Dropping Off or Picking Up in an Electric Vehicle (EV) at Luton Airport
If you’re dropping off or picking up passengers at Luton Airport and driving an electric vehicle, the airport offers a discounted rate. Drivers of electric vehicles pay £1 for a drop-off or pick-up of up to 30 minutes by parking in the dedicated EV spaces on level 2, Terminal Car Park 1. However, this discount only applies to 100% electric vehicles and not to hybrids. Also, stays beyond 30 minutes are not discounted.
Other Car Parking Options at London Luton Airport
Aside from EV charging facilities, London Luton Airport also offers various car parking options for all types of vehicles. These include:
- Mid-term Parking
- Long-term parking
- Priority Parking
- Terminal Car Park 1
Each of these options offers different services such as 24/7 patrols, varying durations of stays, and different proximity to the terminal.
The State of EV Charging at Other UK Airports
While Luton Airport has made strides in the provision of EV charging facilities, the situation varies across other UK airports. In 2021, less than half of all UK airports offered EV charging points. However, more airports are gradually installing EV charging stations.
Electric Vehicle Charging at Gatwick Airport
Gatwick Airport, for instance, has eight 22kW charging points in its Short Stay car parks. These charging stations are free to use once you’ve paid for parking. You can check live availability of the charging ports using the Pod Point Open Charge app.
Electric Car Charging at Heathrow Airport
Heathrow Airport, on the other hand, has multiple charging stations available. To access these charging points, all you need to do is log in to Pod Point once you arrive at the airport.
EV Charging at Manchester Airport
Moving on to Manchester Airport, the closest charging station to the APH Car Park is the NewMotion Charging Station. Although it’s not located within the airport, it’s only a few minutes’ drive away.
Aberdeen Airport and EV Charging
Aberdeen Airport offers four Pod Point charging units in its Short Stay car park and two in its Priority car park. You need to pre-book at least two hours in advance, or you can simply turn up and use the charging points if they’re available.
These are just a few examples of airports in the UK that are making efforts to cater to electric vehicle users. As the demand for EV charging facilities continues to rise, it’s expected that more airports will follow suit.
EV Charging at UK Airport Hotels
In addition to airports, some airport hotels in the UK also offer EV charging points. For instance, the Holiday Inn at Gatwick Airport and Heathrow Airport, as well as the Radisson Blu Hotel at Stansted Airport, all offer charging facilities for their guests.
Frequently Asked Questions about EV Charging at Airports
Most airports that have installed EV charging points do not charge extra for charging, once you have paid for parking. However, charging stations located near airports usually charge around 10p-14p per kWh.
Charging times vary according to the size of the car’s battery and the type of charger. A typical EV with a 60kWh battery takes a little under eight hours to charge from empty to full with a 7kW charging point.
No, you need to factor in charging time before you move your car to a parking bay. However, some airport car parks and parking services will charge your car for you, while you are away.
Yes, in those airports where the Short Stay car park has an available charging point, you can top up your car.