The UK’s public electric vehicle (EV) charging network has grown by 23% in the past year, adding nearly 16,000 new chargers and taking the national total to 86,021. A new charger is now being installed every 33 minutes, marking one of the fastest expansion rates in Europe.
The latest figures from the Department for Transport (DfT) and the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) show particularly strong growth in Yorkshire and the Humber, Wales, the West Midlands and the East of England, with networks outside London expanding 23.4% year-on-year.
The rollout includes more than 17,000 rapid and ultra-rapid chargepoints, capable of delivering an 80% charge in as little as 20–40 minutes. Meanwhile, over 6,000 of these are now located within one mile of the Strategic Road Network, improving long-distance EV travel for fleets and private drivers alike.
The growth coincides with the government’s £650 million Electric Car Grant, offering up to £3,750 off 39 eligible models, and its £381 million plan to deliver another 100,000 public chargers nationwide.
DfT Minister for Decarbonisation Keir Mather said: “There’s never been a better time to go electric – chargepoints are up 23% in a year, and we’re helping drivers save with new grants and easier access for renters and those without driveways.”
Fleet managers can compare regional charging coverage and access real-time data via Zapmap’s live chargepoint statistics.