By 2030, the UK needs a minimum of 300,000 chargepoints and the NAO says this is ‘achievable’.
The numbers show there are now 14,000 50kW fast chargers.
However, the number of on-street chargers isn’t such a countrywide rounded picture, with the majority of the growth concentrated in London: 72 per cent of new on-street EV chargers were installed in the capital.
The latest published figures by charge point mapping service ZapMap shows more than 20,000 new devices were installed throughout last year, bringing the total number of public chargers to 73,699.
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How satisfied are EV drivers with the charging network?
A recent poll by leading EV charge point app ZapMap found that the public charging network is as important as ever.
The number of charge points installed in the UK over the course of the calendar year was the highest annual level seen on record, with tens of thousands of new chargers added as the Government and industry pushes to alleviate charging anxiety amongst EV drivers.
The UK’s EV charging infrastructure had a record year of growth in 2024, official figures have confirmed.
Although Wales and the North West continued to be less covered, they made good progress in 2024, unlike Northern Ireland which continues to lag with just 78 new high-powered charger installations last year and only 164 in total.
A DfT spokesperson said: ‘Nearly 20,000 public chargepoints were added to the network in 2024, making it a record-breaking year for EV infrastructure.
The number of 50kW charging hubs (six or more 50kW) also rose from 264 at the end of 2023 to 537 at the end of 2024.
There are now more than 7,000 150kW+ devices across Great Britain that can typically replenish an EV’s battery from 10 to 80 per cent charge in just 15 to 30 minutes.
Ultra-rapid (150kW+) devices have seen an 83% increase since the end of 2023, with 7,000 150kW+ chargers now available across the country
‘There is still a huge gulf in prices between public and home chargers, partly due to the higher rate of VAT at public charge points 20 per cent compared to the 5 per cent domestic rate.
This represents a year-on-year increase of 38 per cent.
‘As we move into 2025, we can expect to see the benefits of the PCPR consumer regulations coming into effect combined with the impact of LEVI funded projects reaching local authorities and bringing more equitable access to charging devices.’
The network of destination chargers – which enable EV drivers to charge while they stop – continues to grow with 12,000 additional chargers now available at destinations including restaurants, hotels, retail car parks and leisure centres.
While the average satisfaction rating for the UK’s public charging network in ZapMap’s research was just 64 out of 100, three in five respondents said that public charging had improved in 2024.
Fifty-three per cent of EV drivers said they use charging hubs (these are dedicated charging stations with multiple chargers and bays) in 2024, up from 47 per cent in 2023.
London still the focus of charger installations
Distribution across the UK is picking up with nine out of 12 geographical areas of the UK now having over 1,000 50KW+ chargers.
‘This progress is giving drivers the confidence to make the switch to electric vehicles, with the UK leading Europe in EV sales last year – a 21 per cent increase from 2023 to 2024.
