The United Kingdom has witnessed a surge in the installation of public electric car chargers this year, setting a new record as companies strive to meet the demands of the increasing number of battery-powered vehicles on British roads.
According to quarterly data from Zapmap, published by the Department for Transport, nearly 6,000 new chargers were installed in the first three months of 2024, with approximately 1,500 of them being rapid chargers capable of recharging a car in less than an hour.
As of April 1st, the UK had just under 60,000 public chargers, marking a remarkable 49% increase compared to the previous year. The total number of public chargers of all speeds has doubled since the beginning of 2022.
Despite the growth in electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, some EV manufacturers like Tesla and China’s BYD are witnessing declining sales due to higher interest rates affecting disposable incomes.
Consequently, the share of electric models in total car sales in the UK has plateaued at 15.5% this year after previously rapid expansion.
Range anxiety, the fear of running out of power before finding a charger, has been a common concern hindering the transition to EVs.
Ben Nelmes, CEO of New Automotive, highlighted improvements in areas previously underserved, attributing this partly to local councils taking advantage of government grants to install chargers.
He emphasized the growing collaboration between public and private sectors in bolstering EV infrastructure.
Despite the progress, Northern Ireland remains the most underserved region in the UK, with only 29 chargers per 100,000 people.
In contrast, London continues to lead with 221 chargers per 100,000 people, driven by the concentration of wealthier residents more inclined to own EVs, particularly in neighborhoods lacking off-street parking.
