What Loop Charging Stations Are

Loop charging stations are public electric vehicle (EV) chargers operated by Loop Energy, a UK-based charging network. They are installed at various locations — supermarkets, car parks, service stations, and other public spaces — and allow EV owners to charge their vehicles while they shop, work, or wait nearby. Loop stations typically offer faster charging than a home outlet but slower than the fastest public chargers available.

Loop stations come in two main types: tethered chargers (with a cable permanently attached) and untethered chargers (where you bring your own cable). Most Loop chargers are AC chargers, meaning they deliver alternating current to your vehicle's onboard charger. The actual charging speed depends on your vehicle's onboard charger capacity and the power rating of the station itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Loop charging stations are public AC chargers found at supermarkets, car parks, and retail locations across the UK, operated by Loop Energy.
  • Charging speed varies by station and vehicle, but most Loop chargers deliver between 7 kW and 22 kW of power.
  • You need a Loop membership card, contactless payment, or a compatible mobile app to use Loop stations; payment is usually per session or per kilowatt-hour.
  • Charging times typically range from 30 minutes to several hours depending on your vehicle's battery size and the charger's power output.
  • You can find Loop stations using the Loop app, their website map, or third-party EV charging apps that include Loop in their networks.

How to Use a Loop Charging Station

Using a Loop station is straightforward once you have a way to pay. First, locate an available charger using the Loop app or their online map — this tells you the charger type, power output, and whether it is currently free or occupied. Drive to the station and park in the designated EV bay.

Next, unlock the charger using one of three methods: tap your Loop membership card against the card reader, use contactless payment (debit or credit card), or open the Loop app on your phone and select the specific charger. Once unlocked, remove the charging cable (if it is tethered) or plug in your own cable if the charger is untethered.

Connect the cable to your vehicle's charge port — the location varies by make and model, but your vehicle manual shows you where. The charger will begin delivering power automatically. Most Loop stations display the charging status on a screen, showing kilowatts delivered and estimated time remaining. When your vehicle is fully charged or you decide to leave, disconnect the cable, return it to the charger (if tethered), and lock the station using the same method you used to unlock it.

Payment Methods and Costs

Loop offers three ways to pay at their stations. A Loop membership card is a physical card you register in advance; you tap it at the charger to start a session. Contactless payment lets you use any debit or credit card with contactless capability — tap it at the reader just as you would at a shop. The Loop app on your smartphone lets you unlock and pay through your phone, and you can see your charging history and costs in real time.

Pricing varies by location and charger type. Most Loop stations charge either a flat rate per session (for example, £1 to £3 to unlock the charger) plus a per-kilowatt-hour rate (typically 20p to 40p per kWh), or a per-kilowatt-hour rate alone. Some locations offer free charging as part of a retail partnership — for instance, a supermarket might offer free charging to shoppers. Check the Loop app or the charger's display screen before you start to see the exact price structure for that location.

Charging Speed and How Long It Takes

Loop stations are AC chargers, which means they are slower than DC rapid chargers but faster than charging at home. Most Loop chargers deliver either 7 kW or 22 kW of power. A 7 kW charger typically adds 20 to 30 miles of range per hour, while a 22 kW charger adds 60 to 90 miles per hour — though these figures depend on your specific vehicle and its onboard charger capacity.

Actual charging time depends on three factors: your vehicle's battery size, how empty the battery is, and the charger's power output. For example, a small EV with a 40 kWh battery charging from empty on a 7 kW charger might take 5 to 6 hours. The same vehicle on a 22 kW charger would take 2 to 3 hours. Larger vehicles with bigger batteries take proportionally longer. Most people use Loop chargers while shopping or working rather than waiting for a full charge.

Finding Loop Charging Stations Near You

The easiest way to find a Loop station is through the Loop app, available on iOS and Android. Open the app, allow it to access your location, and it will show all nearby Loop chargers on a map. Each charger listing shows the power output (7 kW or 22 kW), whether it is currently available, the address, and the pricing for that location.

You can also use the Loop website map at their main site — search by postcode or town name to see chargers in your area. Third-party EV charging apps like Zap-Map and PlugShare also include Loop stations in their networks, so if you already use one of those apps, you can search for Loop chargers there too. Many Loop stations are at major supermarket chains, retail car parks, and motorway service stations, so if you know a location you visit regularly, you can check whether it has a Loop charger before you go.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If a charger will not unlock, first check that you are using the correct payment method — a membership card must be registered in advance, and contactless payment requires a card with the contactless symbol. If the charger still will not respond, try the app instead; sometimes one payment method has a temporary issue while others work fine. If none of the payment methods work, the charger may be offline or faulty — check the Loop app to see if other users have reported an issue at that location.

If charging is slower than expected, check your vehicle's onboard charger capacity in your manual — some vehicles cannot accept the full power output of a 22 kW charger. Also check the charger's display screen to confirm it is actually delivering power; occasionally a charger will unlock but fail to deliver current, in which case you should try a different charger or contact Loop support. If you are charged unexpectedly or see an error on your bill, the Loop app shows a detailed receipt for every session, which you can use to dispute the charge with Loop's customer service.

Loop Chargers Versus Other Public Charging Options

Loop stations sit in the middle of the public charging spectrum. They are faster than a standard home charger (which typically delivers 3 to 7 kW) but slower than DC rapid chargers (which deliver 50 kW to 350 kW). This makes them useful for top-up charging while you shop or work, but not ideal if you need to charge quickly on a long journey.

Other networks operate similar AC chargers — Pod Point, InstaVolt, and Instavolt all offer comparable speeds and pricing. The main difference is location: Loop stations tend to be at retail and leisure destinations, while some competitors focus more on car parks and residential areas. If you travel regularly, having access to multiple networks through apps like Zap-Map gives you more options than relying on Loop alone. However, if Loop chargers are conveniently located at places you already visit, they offer a straightforward way to charge without planning a separate trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be a member to use Loop chargers?

No. You can use any Loop charger with contactless payment (any debit or credit card) or the Loop app without signing up for a membership. A membership card is optional and mainly useful if you prefer not to carry your bank card or use your phone at the charger.

What happens if my car is still charging when I need to leave?

You can disconnect and leave at any time — there is no penalty. Your charging session ends when you unplug the cable. You will be charged only for the energy you actually used, not for a minimum session length.

Can I charge overnight at a Loop station?

Technically yes, but most Loop stations are at retail locations that close at night, so the car park may not be accessible. Check the location's opening hours before you plan an overnight charge. Dedicated EV charging car parks or residential chargers are better suited for overnight charging.

Will Loop chargers work with any electric vehicle?

Loop chargers work with any EV that has a Type 2 socket (the standard in the UK and Europe). If your vehicle uses a different connector type, you will need an adapter cable, which you can purchase separately. Check your vehicle's manual to confirm which socket type it has.

What if the Loop charger is broken or not working?

Report it through the Loop app — most chargers have a "Report a fault" button on the charger screen or in the app listing. Loop aims to repair faults within 24 to 48 hours. If you were charged for a session where the charger did not work, contact Loop support with your session receipt and they will typically refund the charge.