Flying from Gatwick in an electric vehicle is no longer the niche choice it was a few years ago. With rising EV ownership across the UK and a growing range of EV friendly airport parking operators, leaving an electric car at Gatwick for a week is straightforward. The trick is planning the trip with EV specific habits in mind. The points below cover how to make EV ownership and Gatwick airport travel work in your favour, from charging while you fly to small details that matter when you land.
Decide where the car gets charged
The single biggest decision is whether the car charges while you fly, or whether you arrive home and need to find a charger first. EV friendly airport parking operators now offer dedicated bays where the car is plugged in for the duration of your trip. By the time you land, the vehicle is at full state of charge and ready for the journey home. For most EV drivers this is a far better experience than arriving back at a depleted car after a long flight. See our guide to Gatwick EV parking with chargers for current operators and how to filter for them.
Book EV bays early
EV bays are still limited compared to standard parking, particularly during school holidays and bank holiday weekends. Book at least two weeks ahead where possible. Filter for EV friendly providers in our comparison and look at both North Terminal and South Terminal if you have a choice on terminal. The earlier you book, the better the chance of a confirmed bay rather than a waiting list.
Confirm the connector type
Most modern EVs sold in the UK use a Type 2 connector for AC charging, and CCS for DC rapid charging. Almost every airport EV operator supports Type 2 as standard. If you drive an older Nissan Leaf with a CHAdeMO rapid socket, confirm with the operator before booking. Most airport bays only need slow or medium speed AC charging, since the vehicle is sitting for days, but it is always worth a one line message to the operator the day before to confirm.
Plan your starting state of charge
Some EV drivers worry about leaving a car at low state of charge for a week. Modern lithium batteries cope well with sitting at thirty to fifty per cent for short periods, and even better when plugged in and balanced. If your operator confirms charging while away, you do not need to top up at home before driving to the airport. If your operator does not offer charging, leave home with enough range to comfortably reach a public charger near the airport for a top up after collection.
Use meet and greet to save time
EV friendly meet and greet at Gatwick is often the easiest combination. You drop the car at the kerbside outside your terminal, hand the keys to a vetted driver, and the operator handles the move to the compound and the plug in. There is no detour to a remote car park before checking in. See our guides on North Terminal meet and greet and South Terminal meet and greet for the experience by terminal.
Tips for the day of travel
- Leave the charging cable in the car. Operators may need it depending on the bay type.
- Set a charge limit if your vehicle supports one. Eighty to ninety per cent is fine for storage.
- Disable any automatic preconditioning that could drain the battery while parked.
- Make sure your tracking app, if you use one, is logged in and visible on the day of return.
- Take a photograph of the dashboard at handover so you have a record of state of charge and odometer reading.
Energy costs and rebilling
Most EV friendly airport operators include the cost of charging in the quoted price for the bay. A small number list charging as a separate optional add on, particularly for larger battery vehicles. Always confirm what is included before you book. Compare bundled rates with hourly metered rates if your battery is large, since a flat fee may work in your favour.
What to do if your operator does not offer charging
If you cannot get an EV bay for your dates, plan the return trip around a known public charger near the airport. The official Gatwick airport site lists on airport public chargers, and there are public networks within a short drive of both terminals. Set the charger as a stop in your navigation before you fly so the route is ready when you land.
EV insurance and operator handling
Operators we list at EV Gatwick Parking carry public liability and motor trade insurance covering driver handling and on site storage. Always check the listing for confirmation. EV friendly does not mean EV careless. Reputable operators record the state of charge at handover and return, take a brief vehicle inspection, and brief their drivers on the EV specific quirks they should know.
A short pre flight EV checklist
- EV friendly operator confirmed for your dates.
- Connector type matches the operator bay.
- Charging cable in the boot.
- Charge limit set on the vehicle if supported.
- Preconditioning and unnecessary scheduled tasks disabled.
- Photo of dashboard at handover.
- Public charger plan in place if no on site charging.
Compare EV friendly Gatwick parking now
Use the EV Gatwick Parking comparison or visit get a quote to see live prices for EV friendly bays for your dates. For a wider look at saving money on Gatwick parking, our cheap Gatwick parking guide is worth a read. Travelling far longer than a week? See long stay parking.
