Charge & Coffee | The ultimate break guide

As the private hire industry moves towards electric PCO cars, Uber Partners and PCO Drivers will need to figure out good charging strategies that work for them. 

For many PCO drivers this is a chance to relax, take a well deserved rest, or catch up with friends and family over the phone. You can also grab a bite to eat if you feel like it. However, we’re aware that it’s not always easy to find the best spots for this. On top of that, you deserve to relax in a safe place, especially at night, with good CCTV and lots of lighting.

This is where our new charging guide comes in handy. We’ve put together a guide for just this reason, which maps out the top spots in London for charging, caffeine, and everything in between.

Let’s Start with Central London. Cappuccino and a sandwich anyone?

W2 5EH

Located only a short drive from Hyde Park, Shell’s forecourt is just across the road from a parade of shops, including a fish bar, supermarket, newsagents and a café. Perfect for during the day.

Type of Charger: Rapid (50 kWh)

Energy Provider: Shell Recharge

Price of the coffee: £2.00

W9 2PS

The chargers are situated just outside Warwick Avenue station. There’s a station kiosk literally 30 seconds away, or if you fancy a short 2 minute walk there’s also a coffee shop called Toast. They do great coffee and ready-to-go sandwiches whilst you charge up nearby.

Type of Charger: Rapid (50kWh)

Energy Provider: ESB (Available on the Shell Recharge App)

Price of the coffee: £2.40

NW1 6XU

A few roads behind Marylebone Station you’ll find a convenient rapid charger right next to a row of shops. There’s a popular café as well as a Thai restaurant next door if you’re looking for a more formal meal.

Type of Charger: Rapid (50kWh)

Energy Provider: ESB (Available on the Shell Recharge App)

Price of the coffee: £2.30

W1G 0PN

If you find yourself in Central London, then this is the ideal spot. The chargers themselves are located underground in Q-Park car park underneath Cavendish Square. Immediately opposite the square is a Pret, Starbucks and other independent cafes.

Type of Charger: Rapid (50kWh)

Energy Provider: BP Pulse

Price of the coffee: £2.15

Now let’s look at East London

RM14 3BS – Shell Recharge (Rapid – 50kW)

You couldn’t have picked a more perfect spot for food choices, with the Shell forecourt right in the middle of a town centre and open at night for safety. During the day and evening, there’s a lovely café called ‘Abigails Café’ across the road as well as a highly rated Indian restaurant called ‘Masala Grill’ a few doors down.

Type of Charger: Rapid (50kWh)

Energy Provider: Shell Recharge

Price of the coffee: £2.15

E11 1HG 

Located outside Leytonstone Station, this charge point gives you immediate access to a wide range of eateries including the popular Le Parisien Cafe and a Subway. There’s also a Sainsbury’s Local on the other side of the road for snacks.

Type of Charger: Rapid (50kWh)

Energy Provider: BP Pulse

Price of the coffee: £1.50

SE9 6SR

These chargers are perfectly placed opposite a large Co-op as well as around the corner from the highly rated ‘Taste’ cafe, With a rating of 4.8 on Google Maps, you know you’re in for a treat!

Type of Charger: Rapid (50kWh)

Energy Provider: Chargemaster (Available on the BP Pulse App)

Price of the coffee: £2.50

Over to South London

KT21 1AA – Shell Recharge (Rapid – 50kW)

This forecourt is located only a minute or two from the local high street. Filled with great places to eat and drink including Handley’s Cafe, Ashtead Charcoal Grill and Munchies Cafe a little further down the road. There’s also more formal places to eat such as Zia Vitalia across the road.

Type of Charger: Rapid (50kWh)

Energy Provider: Shell Recharge

Price of the coffee: £2.00

SW19 2NX

Situated right next to Colliers Wood (great for picking up new riders!) is a rapid charge point surrounded by take out options. There’s a local Costcutters as we as numerous food outlets such as the Traditional Fish Bar and a pizza restaurant called Corleone with great reviews.

Type of Charger: Rapid (50kWh)

Energy Provider: BP Pulse

Price of the coffee: £2.20

SE25 4UX

You’ll barely have time for a bite with speeds like this! The Bluejay Cafe is just a minute down the road southbound with great ratings whilst there’s a Sainsbury’s Local opposite the charging station for all your snacks on the go.

Type of Charger: Ultra Rapid (150kWh) & Rapid (50kWh)

Energy Provider: Shell Recharge

Price of the coffee: £1.90

Last but not least, let’s go West!

W5 3HJ

If you find yourself in Ealing during the day and needing to charge, Shell’s rapid recharge spot is perfectly positioned near to 11 Coffee & Co (4.5 Google Rating) where you can pick up a tasty bite to eat or coffee. There’s also a Lebanese restaurant and two small supermarkets either side of it (as well as a Little Waitrose found within the Shell Recharge Forecourt itself – perfect during the night with great lighting and CCTV)

Type of Charger: Rapid (50kWh)

Energy Provider: Shell Recharge

Price of the coffee: £2.40

W4 5YT 

A short 3 minute walk eastbound will take you to a lovely parade of cafes, a Subway and a Co-op supermarket. One of London’s highest rated coffee shops can be found here, Ozwald Copplepot, as well as the popular Cafe 403.

Type of Charger: Rapid (50kWh)

Energy Provider: BP Pulse

Price of the coffee: £2.10

TW3 3DH EBS (Rapid – 50kW – Shell Recharge App)

Round the back of Hounslow West tube station you can find an ESB Charger. Back out on the main road and you’re spoilt for choice, with our favourite spot being the Sangeetha Vegetarian Restaurant 2 minutes westbound.

Type of Charger: Rapid (50kWh)

Energy Provider: Shell Recharge

Price of the coffee: £2.25

So there we have it! Our top spots across London. Did we miss any out? Tell us on our Facebook page.