Chargemaster is increasing the rate of rollout of the Polar national charging network, with 2,000 new charging points in 2018, including around 400 rapid chargers.

To match the increasing take-up of electric vehicles, Chargemaster is investing heavily in providing charging points in key strategic locations, such as hotels, petrol stations, sports clubs and shopping centres, it says.

By the end of 2018, electric vehicle drivers using the Polar network are expected to have access to over 8,500 public charging points, including 700 rapid chargers. Polar plus members being able to access all of them via an RFID card or key fob.

The company, which is the UK’s largest providing of EV charging infrastructure, installed more than 30 rapid chargers in January, including new sites in Canterbury, Rotherham, Swansea and London, with more than 20 new rapid chargers.

David Martell, Chief Executive of Chargemaster, said: “The Polar network will maintain its position as the UK’s largest public charging network, providing convenient and reliable charging for EV drivers across the country.

“Over 40,000 drivers already rely on our network, which gives them access to over 40% of all public charging points on UK-wide networks, backed up with our dedicated 24/7 customer support.”

Chargemaster is working with well-known national partners to deploy EV charging infrastructure at strategic locations, including IHG hotels, Asda supermarkets, Intu shopping centres and Q-Park car parks.