Public charging network grows with 17,000 new chargers added

The Government has welcomed new figures which shows that more than 17,000 public electric vehicle (EV) charge points have been added to the UK network since July 2024.

Future of roads minister, Lilian Greenwood, said the increase equated to a 27% increase over the past 12 months.

Some 17,370 charge points have joined the network, with the Department for Transport (DfT) reporting a rapid growth in figures, particularly, in the north-east, East of England and the West Midlands.

Greenwood said: “Just last week, we announced record discounts to help make EV ownership a reality for thousands more people, alongside making it easier to charge at home, so more drivers can run their EV for as little as 2p a mile – that’s London to Birmingham for £2.50.

“With a new charge point added to the network every half an hour, we’re helping put range anxiety firmly in the rear-view mirror.”

Dunstan Power, director of ByteSnap Design and its EV charging division, Versinetic, says that the 27% year-on-year growth in public charging infrastructure marks a significant moment for EV adoption.

“With over 82,000 charge points now in operation and new installations happening every 30 minutes, we are seeing the groundwork being laid for widespread EV use,” he added.

“This growth helps boost EV adoption by making charging more accessible and convenient, which encourages more drivers to switch to electric vehicles.”

However, he said: “Challenges persist, such as ensuring charger reliability, fixing uneven distribution, and expanding ultra-fast charging to cut down wait times.

“The scale of change needed is substantial. While adding 17,370 chargers each year shows good progress, the infrastructure must evolve beyond mere numbers to focus on reliability, charging speeds, and the quality of user experience that matches the convenience of traditional refuelling.

“Success will rely on continued cooperation between government policies and private investments so that this infrastructure growth builds real consumer trust and leads to accelerated EV adoption.

“The upcoming months will be crucial as details about the grant scheme are revealed and the market assesses whether this charging network expansion can truly remove public charging anxiety for everyday drivers.”

Joe Gorman, vice president for Europe (Interim) at ChargePoint, also welcomed the latest figures. “As the UK continues to lead Europe in the transition to electric mobility, we need to bring more convenient and reliable charging infrastructure to ensure drivers can charge wherever they are,” he said.

“Recent Government commitments, including £400 million for charging infrastructure, raise hopes for accelerated delivery, but progress ultimately depends on how well government, industry and local authorities align on the rollout.

“Now is the time to double down on collaboration to close regional gaps, deploy scalable technologies and improve the charging experience for all.”

Ben Nelmes, CEO of New AutoMotive, was pleased to see the charge point rollout keeping pace with electric car adoption, proving that the “ZEV mandate is delivering for drivers”.

“This lockstep growth is the market and Government working hand in hand, giving more and more people the confidence to make the switch,” he added.

“With the mandate providing a clear roadmap, we are getting it done and paving the way for a zero-emission future on UK roads.”