How to use the Fastned Charging network - a complete guide

By Kyle Roache

Last updated: Apr 28th 2023

Share article

Fastned is a Dutch-owned charging network with a "mission to give freedom to electric drivers and accelerate the transition to sustainable mobility.'

Fastned aims to have a European network of rapid chargers where electric vehicles can charge with renewable energy from the sun or wind.

Who and what is Fastned?

Fastned was formed in 2012 by Bart Lubbers (the son of former Netherland Prime Minister, Ruud Lubbers) and Michiel Langezaal, and Fastned opened its first charging stations in 2013. Three years after opening for business, Fastned celebrated passing 50 charging stations. Fastned currently has around 200 charge points across The Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Fastned says it offers all fast charging standards at its stations and is compatible with Tesla, Nissan, BMW and Hyundai, among other electric vehicles. Fastned offers rapid AC charging, CCS charging and CHAdeMO charging.

Fast charging for electric cars capable of high speeds is offered, though charging speeds will depend on the individual car. This charging network guide will hopefully help you get the most out of Fastned's chargers, which include plenty of rapid charging options.

Where are Fastned chargers located?

You can find EV charging provision courtesy of Fastned primarily in the North East of England, though there is EV charging provision in Charlton, Oxford, Kent, and Dundee and Hamilton in Scotland.

In more detail, the Oxford provision is at the Energy Superhub – Fastned provides 10 300kW ultra rapid chargers that can provide an extra 300 miles of range in just 20 minutes. The Kent site is located in Hawkinge, near Folkestone, which is aimed at EV drivers crossing The Channel. You can find rapid charging capabilities for electric cars here.

Scotland's largest rapid charging hub is a Fastned site in South Lanarkshire. The Hamilton site is located close to the A72 and near to the M74 at the Palace Ground Retail Park. There's also a fast-charging site in Angus Court, Dundee.

However, most of the sites are located in the North-East, with fast-charging options to be found across Newcastle and Sunderland; there's even a fast-charging location at the Angel of the North sculpture.

You'll also be able to enjoy fast charging in London, near Woolwich Road close to the Blackwall Tunnel.

How to spot a Fastned charge point

Fastned's charging points are either black or white with yellow accents. The most easiest way to spot Fastned chargers however is by looking for the glowing yellow canopy that they sit under.

How to use the Fastned charging network and app?

There are three methods to charge your electric car at one of Fastned's rapid chargers.

Method one is to set up an account. The first thing to do when looking to charge your electric car is to download the Fastned app via either the Apple Store or Google Play. The app will guide you through up an account and adding your payment details. Next, click the big yellow charge button in the bottom menu, and select your charge – you will find the number on the charger.

If you are unable to choose a charger, Fastned advises entering the five-digit or seven-digit code located near the charger screen or on the plug holder. Then you can plug the connector into your electric car. You should be able to see that the car is charging via the charging screen, the Fastned app and the dashboard on your electric car.

The next method is to start from the payment terminal – Fastned advises EV drivers that electric cars should not be plugged in before starting. Hold your debit or credit card, or mobile wallet, against the terminal to make a 'reservation'. For non-credit card payments, a £40/€40 prepayment is required; once the charging process has finished, the amount that you didn't use will be refunded to your bank account.

This can take up to two business days, depending on the bank account used. After the card has been verified, select a connector type from the buttons underneath the charger screen and plug the connector into your vehicle. If you have an EV charge card, swipe the card reader on the charger. Some chargers will require you to press the start button first. Next, select one of the different connectors via the screen or via the buttons under the charger screen, then attach the connector.

To stop the session while using the Fastned app, click stop on the charger or in the app. If the app crashes, restart the app and try again. When the session has ended, the vehicle will release the cable. For other methods, simply press the stop button on the charger. If you started the session with a charge card, you may need to swipe the card again

How much does Fastned cost to use?

Fastned currently costs £0.73 per kWh. However, signing up to the Gold member scheme gets 30 per cent off the standard tariff for £9.99 per month. There are similar discounts for The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France and Switzerland.

At the moment you can only get a receipt for sessions started with the payment terminal. If you are using an EV charge card, the EV charge card provider's invoice will act as the VAT receipt. If using the Fastned app with a credit or debt card, then the monthly invoice will include the VAT details.

You can also request a receipt for your charge session, but you must first select the country in which the session took place. This will also select the right currency and the stations you used. You can search for the station name or the area where the public chargers are located. Then enter the session date and the amount you used.

Does Fastned support charging cards such as Electric Juice or Bonnet?

Currently, the only charging card services that Fastned is signed up with is Electric Universe and Zap-Pay.

How fast can a Fastned charging point charge my EV?

Charging speeds for an electric vehicle vary between 43kW and 350kW. Charging speed is determined by the electric vehicle. Fastned has produced a handy guide for all sorts of electric cars and how to use them at public charging stations, and what fast charging options are available.