Zapmap, the UK’s leading charge point mapping service, has announced that the country has reached a significant milestone of over 50,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging points. This achievement reflects the robust growth of the charge point infrastructure in the UK.
According to Zapmap, there are now more than 50,000 public charging devices installed across the country. The 50,000th charging device is an ultra-rapid charger located at a service station in Weston-super-Mare, operated by MFG EV Power.
This milestone signifies progress in two key aspects of the UK’s charging infrastructure. Recent data from Zapmap reveals a 68% increase in ultra-rapid charge points since September 2022, along with a similar growth rate in slower ‘destination’ chargers.
The pace of charge point installations has also accelerated in recent years. In February 2023, the UK reached the 40,000 mark, with the installation of a GeniePoint network charger at Morrisons Southport.
Melanie Shufflebotham, Co-founder & COO at Zapmap, commented on the achievement, stating that reaching 50,000 public charging devices is a crucial milestone that reflects the increased rate of charge point installations. She predicts that there will be 100,000 chargers in the UK by August 2025, along with a significant increase in high-power charging hubs. These developments bring substantial benefits to electric car drivers across the country.
With companies like Connected Kerb committed to installing 10,000 chargers, it is evident that these new goals are achievable. Ian Johnson, Chair of ChargeUK, emphasized the need for supportive government policies and the removal of barriers that hinder the roll-out of charging infrastructure.
Dan Caesar, CEO at Fully Charged, expressed his excitement about reaching this milestone and highlighted the positive trend in the growth of the charging network. He urged those considering a switch to electric vehicles to embrace the benefits they offer and emphasized the availability of over 50,000 charging locations across the country.
William Bannister, CEO of MFG, expressed his delight that an MFG installation contributed to Zapmap’s milestone of 50,000 charging devices. He highlighted the hard work invested in establishing a robust public charging network and the partnership between MFG and Zapmap to provide easier payment solutions.
James Court, CEO at EVA England, emphasized the significance of reaching 50,000 charging points and called for the removal of planning and grid barriers to enable more frequent milestones in the future.
Ade Thomas, Founder of World EV Day, praised the achievement and called for a more positive outlook on the number of public chargers. He highlighted the impressive work of British green tech companies in rapidly bringing online a large number of EV chargers.
The Zapmap app provides information on all 50,000 reported charging points, enabling EV drivers to locate suitable chargers for their needs. Zapmap Insights offers products that help the industry understand charge point profiles and utilization patterns, supporting benchmarking requirements and investment decisions.
This milestone reflects the progress made by innovative British companies in transitioning to a future without fossil-fueled vehicles on the road. The industry hopes to see this ambition matched by supportive government initiatives.
UK Crosses the Milestone of Installing Over 50,000 Public Chargers
The United Kingdom has achieved a significant milestone in its commitment towards transitioning to cleaner and greener transportation. The nation has successfully installed over 50,000 public chargers for electric vehicles (EVs) across the country, marking an impressive accomplishment for this rapidly growing industry.
This achievement underscores the UK’s dedication towards combating climate change and reducing carbon emissions through the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. The increasing number of public chargers is a testament to the country’s commitment to creating a robust and accessible EV charging infrastructure, making it easier for individuals to make the switch from conventional gasoline-powered vehicles to EVs.
The growth in public charging infrastructure not only supports individual EV owners but also plays a pivotal role in encouraging fleet electrification. A well-developed network of public chargers is indispensable for businesses and organizations that aim to transition their fleets to electric vehicles, promoting a cleaner and more sustainable transportation system for both personal and commercial purposes.
This milestone also demonstrates the UK’s acknowledgment of the critical role charging infrastructure plays in addressing “range anxiety” – the fear of running out of power while driving an EV. By investing in a widespread network of public chargers, the UK is actively working to alleviate this concern and further boost consumer confidence in adopting electric vehicles. This will ultimately contribute to the growth of the EV market and accelerate the nation’s journey towards a zero-emissions society.
Furthermore, the installation of public chargers also stimulates economic growth and job creation. The burgeoning EV charging industry has generated employment opportunities in various fields, such as manufacturing, installation, maintenance, and customer service. As the UK continues to expand its charging infrastructure, more jobs will be created, providing a much-needed boost to the economy.
Despite this commendable achievement, there is still more work to be done. The UK government has set an ambitious target to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030, thus driving the urgency for additional public chargers. Continued investment in charging infrastructure is crucial to ensure that the nation’s growing fleet of electric vehicles has access to reliable and convenient charging options.
To fully embrace the benefits of electric mobility, maintaining the momentum of charger installation is necessary. Continued collaboration between the government, private sector, and local communities is vital to address any potential obstacles in expanding the charging infrastructure network. Furthermore, it is essential to ensure geographical coverage, focusing not only on major cities, but also rural areas, to guarantee equal access to charging facilities across the nation.
In conclusion, the United Kingdom’s achievement of installing over 50,000 public chargers is a significant milestone in the country’s transition towards sustainable transportation. This accomplishment highlights the dedication of the UK government and its commitment to combating climate change, reducing carbon emissions, and promoting the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. However, in order to build on this success and achieve the government’s ambitious targets, continued investment and collaboration are crucial to expand the charging infrastructure further, providing convenient and reliable charging options for all EV users across the nation.