Overview
You can start an EV charging session at any parking facility with EV chargers, using the Parkable app, a QR code, or an RFID card. Your parking session and your charging session start at the same time.
Important: You must have an electric vehicle added to your account to be offered an EV space. See Add or remove a vehicle from your profile for how.
Find EV charging spaces in the app
EV charging spaces appear in the app alongside regular parking facilities:
On the map: parking facilities with EV chargers show a plug icon in the top-right corner of the pin
In the Car park details screen: if EV charging is available, you'll see an EV chargers available row below the Spaces available row, including the number of EV spaces available and the price per kWh
Note: The number shown in Spaces available includes regular and motorbike spaces only — it does not include EV spaces. So if a facility shows "6 spaces available" and "2 EV chargers available", there are 6 regular spaces and 2 EV spaces.
Note: If a facility only has EV spaces free, the map pin shows the EV count and the Car park details screen shows "0 spaces available" alongside the EV chargers available row. The Start parking button only appears if you have an electric vehicle on your account.
Start a session via the app
Open the Parkable app
Tap the parking facility you want to use
Tap Start parking
When asked Do you want to charge your EV today?, tap Yes
Select an available EV space and tap Continue
Review the details and tap Confirm
Your parking session starts. Plug in the charger and charging begins.
If you don't need to charge, tap No and you'll be taken to the Confirm details screen with a regular space pre-selected instead.
Note: If your EV isn't your default vehicle, you'll still be offered an EV space — but the app won't automatically switch the session to your EV. Make sure the right vehicle is selected on the Confirm details screen.
Why you might not see the EV option
The Do you want to charge your EV today? prompt only appears if:
An EV space is available
You have access to the EV spaces at that parking facility
You have an electric vehicle added to your account
If any of these aren't met, you won't be offered an EV space.
Tip: If you tap the EV chargers available row in the Car park details screen and you don't have an EV on your account, the app will guide you through adding one.
Start a session by scanning a QR code
You can also start a charging session by scanning the QR code on the EV charger:
Open your phone's camera
Scan the QR code on the EV charger
The Parkable app opens with the EV charger pre-selected
Follow the in-app prompts to start your session
Start a session with an RFID card
If your parking facility supports EV charging using RFID cards, you can start a session without using the app at all:
Drive into the EV space
Plug the charging cable into your vehicle
Tap your RFID card or tag on the EV charger (do steps 2 and 3 quickly, one after the other)
The EV charger will indicate when charging has started
Your parking session and charging session both start automatically in the background.
Note: Your RFID card must be added to your Parkable account first — see Add RFID card to your account.
Changing your space during a session
How this works depends on whether the session has started yet:
Before the session starts — if you change your space from the Confirm details screen, you'll only be offered other EV spaces
During an active session — you'll be offered both regular and EV spaces. If you switch to a regular space, you'll keep the EV pricing for your session
While your session is running
You can check progress on the home screen:
kWh used — the amount of electricity used so far
Electricity price — the cost per kWh
Note: The running total only counts parking. Your full cost (parking + electricity) appears on the session summary once you end the session.
Tip: You'll get a push notification when charging starts, and again if it stops or the charger goes idle.
If the parking facility closes while you're still parked, your parking session ends automatically — you'll get a push reminder up to 30 minutes before. Your EV will keep charging until the battery is full or you unplug, but no parking time is added.
If charging doesn't start or stops unexpectedly, see Why isn't my EV charging?.
When you're ready to leave, see How to stop an EV charging session.
FAQs
Can I book an EV space in advance?
No. EV charging spaces aren't part of future booking — the weekly allocation only covers regular and motorbike spaces, so you can't request or reserve an EV space days ahead. The only way to secure an EV space before you arrive is to reserve a space on the day, which holds an available space for up to 30 minutes. You'll still need an EV on your account, and an EV space must be available.
Why wasn't I offered an EV space?
You'll only be offered an EV space if an EV space is available, you have access to the EV spaces at that facility, and you have an electric vehicle on your account. If you have an EV on your account but it isn't your default vehicle, you'll still be offered an EV space — just check the right vehicle is selected on the Confirm details screen.
Does my charging cost show while I'm parked?
Not in full. The running total on the home screen only counts parking. Your combined cost for parking and electricity appears on the session summary once you end the session.