UK Public EV Charging Network Sees 28% Surge, But Regional Gaps Remain

The number of public electric vehicle (EV) charging points across the UK has grown by 28% over the past year.

It means that nearly 17,000 new chargers were added since April 2024, according to the latest figures from the Department for Transport (DfT).

This brings the total number of public EV charging devices to 76,507.

Charging up

The UK continues accelerating efforts to expand its EV infrastructure ahead of the government’s 2030 target of 300,000 public chargers.

However, regional growth varied widely.

Scotland led in percentage growth at 9.2%, while London saw the biggest absolute increase, adding 1,084 new devices.

Results for the West Midlands and East of England also showed impressive surges of 44% and 43%, respectively.

Northern regions performed strongly overall, with a 30% rise in charger numbers.

Unfortunately, the picture is not the same all over the country, with some areas lagging behind.

The North East and Northern Ireland both saw a 1.2% decrease in charger numbers, while growth was virtually stagnant in the East Midlands.

This has been attributed in the North East by the DfT to changes in reporting by a major charge point operator, which previously inflated figures before adjusting its data feed.

Despite the overall progress, the report highlighted continued regional disparities.

London boasted 263 public charging devices per 100,000 people—more than double the UK average of 113.

In contrast, Northern Ireland had just 35 devices per 100,000, and Yorkshire and the Humber 66.

Strategic planning

Minister for the Future of Roads, Lilian Greenwood,  welcomed the growth but acknowledged the challenge of ensuring equitable access.

“We want to make sure that drivers are always close to an electric vehicle charging device – no matter where they are,” she said.

The type of chargers also varied across the network.

Over half (56%) of public chargers deliver between 3kW and 8kW, ideal for slow, overnight charging.

Meanwhile, 15,446 chargers (20%) provide 50kW or more, suitable for rapid charging.

Scotland led in high-powered charger availability, with 34 per 100,000 residents, compared to the UK average of 22.9.

London, despite its dense network, ranked second-lowest in this category with just 15.4.

Go slow

Nearly half of all devices were classified as ‘destination’ chargers, often found at retail locations and leisure centres, while over a third were ‘on-street’ chargers aimed at residential areas.

Phil Douglass, director of Vauxhall’s Electric Streets initiative, praised the growth but urged local authorities to address unmet needs.

“Over 1,000 residents in the North East and Northern Ireland have registered the need for on-street charging,” he noted.

Industry voices echoed the call for smarter infrastructure deployment.

BeEV CEO Asif Ghafoor said the challenge was no longer volume but quality.

“We need to upgrade the old chargers that are giving the industry a bad rep,” he said, advocating for universal contactless payment and better roadside signposting to raise awareness of underused chargers off major routes.

Separate research from Octopus Electroverse estimates over 100,000 public charge points are now accessible nationwide. Director Matt Davies said the UK is “well on track” to meet the government’s 2030 goal.

While the numbers paint a picture of rapid expansion, experts agree that intelligent planning and better communication are crucial to ensure the EV revolution reaches every corner of the UK.