Data reveals increase in public charge point installations
Zapmap has published its latest figures on public charge point installations for the first half of 2024.
The statistics reveal that there are now more than 64,000 public charging devices available to EV drivers. This represents a net increase of 11,195 chargers over the last six months and represents overall year-on-year growth of 46 per cent.
As well as an increase in the overall number of charging devices, the rate of charge point installation has increased this year.
In 2023, an average of 1,387 charging devices were installed each month across the UK. In 2024, however, this figure is now at 1,865 each month.
The figures also show that the number of rapid and ultra-rapid chargers (50kW+) has increased by 49% since June 2023, and there are now over 12,551 of these types of chargers in the UK.
When it comes to different parts of the UK, the statistics show that all areas across the country have shown good progress in 150kW+ chargers. The North West has seen an increase of more than 178 per cent and the South West more than 163 per cent.
The figures do not include Tesla locations that are not yet open to drivers of other car brands, with hubs defined by Zapmap as locations with six or more rapid or ultra-rapid charging devices.
There has also been an increase in the number of lower-powered chargers for overnight charging on residential streets. Almost 3,500 new on-street chargers were installed in the first half of 2024, bringing the total number to 23,290.
The majority of new on-street chargers are concentrated in Greater London, with the total there now at 17,269, compared to 10,894 last June. This represents an increase of 59 per cent. Outside of London, there are now 6,021 on-street chargers compared with 3,737 last year.
Melanie Shufflebotham, Co-founder & COO at Zapmap, said: “The past six months have been extremely positive for public charging infrastructure in the UK – not least because more than 11,000 additional charge points are now available for electric car drivers across the country.
“For drivers who are looking to make the switch to electric, but are not quite sure yet, they need to have the confidence that the public charging network is there for them, particularly on longer journeys. That’s why it is fantastic to see such progress in en-route charging as well as in the rollout of so many, highly visible, charging hubs.
“Our mission at Zapmap is to make charging simple for EV drivers when they are out and about, and the continued growth of the public charging network makes this task much easier.”
Vicky Read, CEO at ChargeUK, said: “ChargeUK, the voice of the UK's EV charging industry, welcomes these new figures from Zapmap. The continuation of this incredible growth in charge point deployment should give confidence to EV drivers that the network they need is there for them.
“ChargeUK looks forward to working with whoever forms the next government to build on this momentum and ensure charging provision remains ahead of demand.
“Our manifesto, launched in May, outlines the actions needed – help us get even more public chargers in the ground by removing barriers, support us to offer affordable charging by equalising VAT, and maximise our investment by speeding up and clarifying public funding.”