Charges a lot (5)
I believe the answer is:
loads
This clue is a double definition.
'charges' is the first definition.
('load' can be a synonym of 'charge')
'a lot' is the second definition.
(thesaurus)
(Other definitions for loads that I've seen before include "Puts on weight" , "a lot" , "great deal" , "Oodles (informal)" , "Masses; cargoes" .)