The Rapid Expansion of EV Charging Points in the UK: A Sign of the Future

The electric vehicle (EV) revolution is accelerating in the UK, with a significant increase in the availability of public charging points. As of October 2024, the UK boasted 71,459 electric vehicle charging points across 36,060 locations, a remarkable 32% increase since December 2023 according to the latest Zapmap. This continued growth shows the Government’s ongoing commitment to supporting the transition to cleaner, more sustainable transport.

EV Charging Points Outnumber Petrol Stations

In contrast to the 8,353 petrol stations in the UK, the number of public EV charging points is now more than eight times greater. This highlights the growing importance of EVs in the country’s sustainability landscape and reassures current and future owners that charging and anxiety is now a thing of the past.

A Year of Impressive Growth

During 2024, the UK added 17,594 new public EV charging points to the Zapmap database, the go-to resource for locating charging points. These included:

• 8,607 Chargers (<8kW): Ideal for overnight charging or extended parking periods.
• 5152 Fast Chargers (>8kW-<50kW): Perfect for quick top-ups while shopping or running errands.
• 1167 Rapid Chargers (>50kW-<150kW): Providing a significant charge boost in a short time.
• 2668 Ultra-Rapid Chargers (>150kW): For the quickest charging experience, typically found on main roads and motorway service stations.

It’s important to note that these numbers reflect net additions, meaning that they account for any decommissioned devices that have been removed from the database, so its not a false increase.

Beyond Public Charging: Home and Workplace Installations

While the public charging network is expanding rapidly, it’s only part of the story. An estimated 850,000 EV charging points are already installed at homes and workplaces across the UK. Though not all are publicly accessible, some offer community or visitor charging, which means that the availability of charging points is even bigger.

Convenient and Accessible Charging Locations

Charging an EV is becoming increasingly straightforward, even without a home charger. Public charging points are conveniently located in everyday destinations such as supermarkets, shopping centres, and gym car parks. This means you can easily charge your vehicle while going about your daily activities, doing the weekly shop, or getting a workout.

Even better, the rollout of lamppost and kerbside chargers in many towns and cities is gathering pace. Many local councils are simplifying the process for residents to apply for charging points on residential streets, making it easier for those without driveways to charge their EVs overnight.

Finding Charging Points Made Easy with Zap-Map

For those on the move, locating a public charging point has never been easier. Tools like Zap-Map, Tusker’s partner, is a free-to-use app, allow users to search for charging points by postcode, map, or current location. Planning a longer journey? Zap-Map can help you find charging stations along your route, with options to filter by charging speed (fast, rapid, or ultra-rapid) to maximise your car’s range and minimise time off the road.

The Future of Driving is Electric

With the number of EV charging points continuing to rise and conclusively outnumbering traditional petrol stations, driving an electric vehicle in the UK is more practical than ever. As the infrastructure continues to grow, the shift towards EVs is becoming not just a trend, but a clear direction for the future of transportation.

The ease of finding charging points, the convenience of charging while shopping or working out, and the ongoing expansion of the network mean that whether you’re a seasoned EV driver or considering making the switch, the UK’s EV infrastructure is ready for you. The future is electric, and it’s charging ahead at full speed.