Why are some EV chargers free in Spain?
Updated 24 June 2026
Short answer: the charger's owner sets the price — and many public chargers in Spain are owned by local councils that choose to offer charging for free. It's a public service meant to encourage electric cars and cleaner cities, usually with a time limit so everyone gets a turn.
The owner sets the price
EV Libre doesn't set charging prices — the operator does. A large share of public charge points in Spain belong to town and city councils (ayuntamientos). A council can make its chargers free, paid, or limited to certain hours, speeds or users. That's why you'll see some stations at €0 and others that cost money — same map, different owners.
Free charging as a public service
Where a council offers free charging, it's usually part of movilidad sostenible — sustainable mobility. The idea is simple: make electric cars easier to live with, so more people switch. Towns such as El Escorial and Tres Cantos, for example, run free public chargers (often 22 kW), open to any driver.
Where the free chargers came from
Many were installed with help from MOVES III, a national programme funded by the EU's NextGenerationEU recovery plan. It covered a large share of the cost of public charging infrastructure — up to 70–80% for eligible projects — which made it affordable for councils to build them. MOVES III ran through 2025; newer schemes continue the push.
Why the two-hour limit
Free chargers are popular, so councils often cap each session — commonly at two hours. That's enough for a near-full charge on a 22 kW point, and it keeps the charger rotating so more drivers can use it. The upside for you: a free spot can open up at almost any moment.
How EV Libre helps you catch one
Because free chargers fill up fast, the hard part isn't finding them — it's being there when one is open. EV Libre watches the station you choose and sends a notification the second a port frees up, so you can head over and plug in instead of circling the car park.
Open the app and set an alert →