im really struggling to understanding the uk charging infrastructure, apart from having a home charger, so that is a big factor in any decision...
cheers
As a full EV user (with no other car) for over two years, I'll offer two things:
1: I sympathise; before I took the plunge, I felt exactly the same.
2: BUT, having now been using our infrastructure since Nov 2017, I'd say it's one of those things that becomes clear fairly quickly with use.
As simply as possible:
For non-domestic charging, and for the moment excluding Tesla cars, there are basically three types of charger.
1: DC rapid. These are outlets that will deliver 50kW or more. They will fully charge a full EV in 30-60 minutes or so, depending on the vehicle, its state of charge and so on. They are provided by several networks (more on these below). Most will accept payment using a contactless bank card and all new installations are required to have this option. Legacy machines are supposed to be retrofitted but that is still ongoing. Costs vary from free up to 69p/unit (which is way, way too much). ~35p is more common and many are less. All have captive cables and most have all three main types, but each unit will typically only charge one car from one of those cables at a time. If you are planning a long trip, it may be helpful to keep to sites that have several units to reduce risk of either already occupiped, or out of service; or to plan a charge stop with contingency (another location, still within range, if your first choice isn't available).
2: AC "fast". These outlets deliver ~7kW in most cases; some are three-phase which give 22kW to a suitably equipped vehicle. Many cars do not have 3-phase onboard equipment so are limited to 7kW. These are more likely to be found at malls and supermarkets and many are presently free to use (paid for by the location; they may require you to be a "customer"). Many (all?) Tesla "destination chargers" have at least one outlet that will provide an AC "fast" charge to any vehicle with the right socket (Mennekes). A 7kW charger takes up to 4-6 hours to charge a full EV, again depending on its state of charge and capacity and so on. This is the same as a dedicated domestic charger. Chargers may have a captive cable (so will only work with a car with the right socket; varies by vehicle; Mennekes is the most common); some have a socket; you need your own cable.
3: AC rapid. This is 3-phase 43kW and only few cars are equipped to make full use. Others may only draw 7kW from such a unit. Many DC rapid units (see above) have an AC rapid outlet on their third cable.
Note that PHEVs typically do NOT ever charge at rapid speeds. Rapids are of benefit for full EV users only.
Networks (Suppliers)
There are several and each has its own method of working.
The first, easiest, type is simply Pay As You Go. Examples include InstaVolt. Use a contactless bank card; simple.
Next - optional membership. You join the scheme, obtain a smartcard or use a phone app to initiate a charge session. Typically you get reduced prices if you use your "account". Or pay with a bank card as above. Examples include Polar/ChargeMaster, where you can either join free (PAYG) or pay a monthly membership for even lower per-unit prices.
And - required membership. You can only use their equipment IF you have an "account".
Special Case: Tesla owners have access to a dedicated network of Tesla charge points. Their machines (certain "destination chargers" aside) will only handshake with a Tesla vehicle and are useless to anyone else.
"Accounts"
Two ways of working. Examples: Polar/ChargeMaster invoice you monthly for your usage and collect dues by Direct Debit in arrears (including membership if applicable). PodPoint require you to keep a small "fund" in your account which is used to pay for your session. You can either top-up manually or have it set to auto-top-up when depleted.
There are variations. One supplier (GeniePoint/Engie) do not normally provide their own smartcards, but you can "register" anyone else's smartcard with them and use that instead.
Online tools such as Zap-Map and PlugShare will tell you what chargers there are which supplier/scheme they belong to, costs and often availability. Use these tools to plan any longer trips around charging stops. If you sign up, you can provide your car type and results are filtered to those that work with your specific car. Public chargers are often found, not at remote filling stations (though these do exist) but at retail and/or leisure locations; hotels; shopping, coffee shops and so on, so there is very likely an opportunity for you to refuel yourself as you car charges.
It all sounds complex - and perhaps it is, unnecessarily so. But such is the way of an open free market economy. It is fair to say that since I started paying attention in 2017, the number of charging stations has grown hugely; it's far easier to get along with an EV now than it was when I started (and during my time, it was never
that hard). And that legislation requiring contactless bank cards at all outlets will progressively make it easier - more like buying fossil fuel - unless you want to make use of membership discounts.