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Festival season is upon us, and EV ownership is accelerating across the UK, with battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales up 25.8% this May compared to last year [1] – meaning more music lovers than ever will be looking for convenient ways to keep their vehicles charged while enjoying great music (and hopefully some sunshine!).
Top tips to think about before heading off on your musical adventure
If you are attending a festival this year and are planning on using your EV to get there, there are several important checks and preparations to think about to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.
Charge before you go
Charge your EV to the recommended percentage before you travel. This reduces range anxiety (range anxiety is the fear that an electric vehicle will not have enough battery power to reach its destination) and gives you flexibility if you do hit any queues or if there are any outages at public chargers.
Check festival charging facilities
Some festivals may offer limited on-site charging, but most do not. Check in advance and have a back-up plan for charging – we have listed nearby charging points near some of the biggest festivals in this blog.
Bring charging cables and adapters
Ensure you are equipped with all the necessary charging cables and adapters to ensure that you can access all types of charging points.
Monitor range and battery health
Factor in extra mileage for potential detours, heavy traffic, use of air conditioning / heating, all of which can reduce range.
Invest in breakdown cover
If you haven’t already, consider purchasing breakdown cover in case of an unexpected issue on the road – even if you don’t need to use it, it’s a reassuring backup. For added peace of mind on the road, Warrantywise plans include emergency breakdown – ideal for keeping your journey to the main stage running smoothly.
To help you plan your trip with minimal stress, here is some information on the locations of different EV charging options near the UK’s top music festivals.
Leeds Festival
Location: Bramham Park, Leeds
Date: Thursday 21st – Sunday 24th August 2025
Leeds Festival – one half of the iconic Reading and Leeds duo – is one of the UK’s largest music festivals, attracting thousands of fans every year.
Nearby EV charging stations:
- Gridserve Electric SuperHub, Wetherby
Just under 7 miles from Bramham Park, this major charging hub has 12 high-power ultra-rapid chargers – this is the closest high-speed charging option out there. There are onsite facilities such as food outlets, restrooms, and even a hotel making it a great spot to top up your charge before heading off again. The price per kWh at this charging point is £0.85 [2].
- BP Pulse Charging Station, Wetherby
This BP Pulse Charging Station is around 7.5 miles away from Leeds Festival, taking about 15 minutes to get there by car. This site offers both rapid (50kW) and fast (14kW) chargers. To use these charging facilities, you should expect to pay £0.83 kWh [3].
- Shell Recharge, Broadway, Hosforth
Located 13 miles away from Bramham Park (approx. 25 minute drive), this station offers convenient charging to those travelling around the Leeds area for the festival. Part of the Shell Recharge network, it features 2 charging devices with a total of 8 connectors – prices for the use of these chargers can be found on the Shell Recharge app [4].
Isle of Wight Festival
Location: Seaclose Park, Newport, Isle of Wight
Dates: Thursday 19th – Sunday 22nd June 2025
The Isle of Wight Festival is a legendary event, mixing heritage with modern headliners on a beautiful scenic backdrop. The festival offers music and culture that draws fans from across the UK and beyond.
Nearby EV charging stations:
- Seaclose Park Onsite Charging
If you’re in need of a charging point whilst you are at the festival, you won’t have to travel very far – a charger is available onsite with 2 outputs, and parking is free while charging, with a rate of approximately £0.56 per kWh [5].
- Wightlink Gunwharf Terminal Charging Point, Portsmouth
To prepare and stay organised before you catch the Ferry over to the Isle of Wight, you can use the Wightlink Gunwharf Terminal Charging point (part of the BP Pulse Network). There is 1 device and 3 connectors for use at this location. You can expect to pay approximately £0.83 per kWh for the use of this charger [6].
- Isle of Wight Quay Road Car Park, Ryde
If you need a top-up charge after the ferry over to the Isle of Wight, then this charging point is very close to the Ryde Wight link. This EV charging point has 2 devices and 4 connectors and the price to use them is around £0.78 kWh [7].
Reading Festival
Location: Little John’s Farm, Reading
Dates: Thursday 21st – Sunday 24th August 2025
Reading is the southern sibling to Leeds Festival and is just as popular, drawing fans of rock, indie, and chart-topping acts.
Nearby charging stations:
- Moto Services Reading West M4 , Gridserve SuperHub
This station is approximately 4.5 miles away from Reading Festival and is a handy stop for EV drivers who are heading to the event. It features 12 Tesla Superchargers (up to 250 kW). Charging costs for this site can be found on the Tesla Public Supercharger app [8].
- Q-Park Chatham Place, Reading
Q-Park Chatham Place, has 8 charging points operated by Blink Charging and to use these chargers, the Blink-Charging App or Zap-Pay must be used. There is a one off connection fee of £0.20 and then to charge it is £0.72 kWh [9] [10].
Glastonbury Festival
Location: Worthy Farm, Pilton, Somerset
Dates: Wednesday 25th June – Sunday 29th June 2025
The most famous of all UK music festivals, Glastonbury needs no introduction. While the mud is legendary, charging options for EVs are less well-know yet still accessible with some planning.
Nearby EV charging stations:
- Onsite charging at Glastonbury (TBC)
Glastonbury has offered limited onsite EV charging in previous years, but availability and access often depend on your festival pass or vehicle permit. Make sure to check the Glastonbury website closer to the date for more information.
- TEALS Farm Shop GRIDSERVE charging station, Somerset
Located just off the A303 near South Cadbury, this spot is approximately 12 miles from Worthy Farm. It includes high-speed Gridserve chargers and a well-stocked farm shop to grab snacks whilst you wait. For more information on pricing for this charging station, please check the GRIDSERVE Electric Highway app [11].
Creamfields
Location: Daresbury Estate, Cheshire
Dates: Thursday 21st August – Sunday 24th August 2025
Creamfields is the UK’s leading electronic dance musical festival, attracting top DJs and fans from across Europe [12].
Nearby charging stations:
- Evenwood Farm, Runcorn
This charging point, part of the Evye network, is home to two devices and four connectors each with a 75 kW+ rapid EV charger to help you get back to your journey quicker [source]. Charges will apply and can be found on the Evye app [13].
- Roadchef, Chester
Part of the Shell Recharge and GRIDSERVE networks, this charging station offers 20 EV charging points – 6 ultra-rapid Shell Recharge chargers (up to 300kW) and 14 GRIDSERVE chargers. The charging facilities are available 24/7 and prices start at £0.85-£0.89 per kWh [14].
Before hitting the road
Before you leave, check apps and websites like ZapMap, PlugShare, or your car’s own navigation to make sure chargers are available and working. Planning ahead will help your festival trip go smoothly.
Protect your journey with confidence with Warrantywise EV warranty plans, designed to keep you protected against unexpected repair costs, with specialist protection for electric components and peace of mind wherever the road takes you.
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