Taking your electric vehicle to France

Travelling on LeShuttle is one of the greenest ways to get to France. For the ultimate environmentally friendly road trip, why not take your electric car across the Channel?

It may seem challenging at first, as every country has different charging networks and has adapted to electric vehicles at different speeds. The EV charging network in France is growing at a significant rate, so planning EV routes in France is getting easier. The rewards are obvious. A long road trip in a petrol or diesel car has the potential to generate significant emissions in a foreign country. Driving an electric car is a far more sustainable – and no more expensive – way to enjoy everything France has to offer.

Planning an EV road trip abroad

• Does France have enough EV charging stations?
• What are EV charging speeds like in France?
• How do I pay for EV charging in France?

These are the kind of questions you might have if you are planning an EV road trip to France.

It’s very important to spend time before you leave planning your journey. Find out the location of the public charging points on your route, how fast they charge, and how you pay. You may need to plan overnight stops on your route where you can charge overnight. But that is no bad thing, especially if you are on a long road trip through France.

Charge your electric car with LeShuttle

Our charging points cater for all types of EV and size of battery

Electric car drivers can take advantage of the charging points at both our Folkestone and Calais terminals. At Folkestone and Calais the ultra rapid 210 kW and rapid 50 kW chargers cost £0.50/€0.50 per kWh to use. You can fully charge your EV in 20-60 minutes, depending on your battery size and the type of charger. Enjoy a coffee in our terminal building while you wait, and start your EV French road trip with maximum range!

We have dedicated Tesla Superchargers at the terminal buildings on both sides of the Channel. We also have a number of 50 kW chargers at both terminals reserved for EV drivers with assistance needs. 

Driving an EV in France

Finding EV chargers in France

Ultra rapid charging points on city streets are becoming a more familiar sight in France

There are around 160,000 EV charging points in France, around double that of the UK, but some areas of the country are still less well covered than others. Charging stations are mainly to be found at supermarkets, hotels, motorway service stations, retail parks and leisure attractions, like in the UK. The big cities are well served for charging stations, with plenty of on-street points in city streets.

If you are planning a journey, the best way to find charging points is to use an app or website like Chargemap. This map shows all the charging points in Europe, across all providers. You just need to register on Chargemap for free to see more details about the charging points, such as charging speed, connection types and status updates.  

Paying for EV chargers in France

The system of payment for EV charging is more fragmented in France than it is in the UK. There are more restrictions on usage, with some providers only allowing drivers registered with their app or network to charge up.

To pay you will need an RFID card, key fob or app with one of these charge network providers, some of which will need to be pre-loaded with funds. Not many chargers in France will allow you to pay by credit or debit card. There are some cross-network apps such as Chargemap, PlugShare and Izivia that give drivers access to several different networks. You may need specific apps for certain regions to have greater access to chargers.

Look out for the signs indicating EV charging spaces

Overnight charging points in France

If you’re in no hurry to charge, there are plenty of 3 kW or 22 kW stations to be found at hotels or campsites. Increasingly you’ll also find EV charging points at aires, the overnight parking areas with basic facilities where you can park your campervan or motorhome. Plug in as soon as you park up and you will have a full battery by the next morning.

French road rules for EV drivers

The rules for driving in France are the same for electric vehicles as petrol or diesel cars – you drive on the right and overtake on the left, and give way to traffic coming from the right. The speed limits range from 50 km/h for urban areas to 130 km/h for motorways. There are emission zones in most major French cities, which place restrictions on certain types of environmentally polluting vehicles – but as EVs produce low or no emissions, electric cars will usually be able to access these urban areas at all times. You will still need to display a Crit’ Air sticker, however. 

Some cities, like Paris, have introduced bans on all cars in specific areas on certain days. Read our guide to driving in Paris to find out more. 

Tips for driving an electric vehicle in France

Paying to charge up is usually done by phone app in France

• Keep your app topped up 

As it is harder to pay at charging stations with credit or debit cards in France than it is in the UK, you need to make sure the app you use to charge is topped up with credit. 

• Don’t take your range to the limit 

If you’re an experienced EV driver you will know that your car’s range does not necessarily translate into driving distances. Try to find a suitable spot to charge up well within your range.

• Driving in cities will drain your battery 

If you are driving in Paris or another big city, your range will be depleted quicker than on the motorway. 

• Plan, plan, plan! 

As we have already mentioned, you need to plan your route carefully, so you are always in range of a charging station compatible with your vehicle.

EV charging in France FAQs

Can I drive a UK-registered electric car in France?

Yes, there are no restrictions on UK electric vehicles across the Channel. You just need to be aware of the documentation and any equipment you need to bring with you on your road trip. Make sure you order your Crit’Air sticker if you are driving in a city with a low emission zone, like Paris.

Are there electric vehicle charging stations in France?

Yes, there are plenty of EV chargers in France – around 160,000 individual charging points according to the latest figures (summer 2025). By comparison this is more than double the amount in the UK. 

Do I need an adapter to charge my EV in France?

No, you won’t need an adaptor. Type 2 connectors for AC charging and CCS connectors for DC charging are widely used throughout Europe. 

How do I pay for EV charging in France?

To pay at EV chargers in France you will need an RFID card, key fob or app with one of the main charge network providers, like Chargemap, PlugShare and Izivia. You can also pay by credit or debit card. 

Are there toll discounts for electric cars in France?

Yes, EV drivers do get an automatic 5% discount on French motorway tolls, if you are subscribed to an electronic toll collection account.  

Are there charging points on French motorways?

Yes, there are, but perhaps not as many as you might expect. You may find some patchy areas and quirks in the charging infrastructure, like charging stations only being on one side of the carriageway at motorway service stations. There might be queues at motorway charging areas.

Book your EV-friendly trip with LeShuttle

Sustainability is very important to us at Le Shuttle, which is why we try to support electric car drivers as much as possible on their trips to France with us. Remember that you can charge up at our terminal before the 35-minute crossing from Folkestone to Calais, and on the return journey too.