Charge point installation increases by 35% in first quarter

Zapmap's new figures for the first three months of 2024 show that the overall rate of installation has increased by 35% compared with the average across 2023.

Of the electric vehicle chargers being installed, a quarter are high-powered devices ideal for drivers undertaking longer electric journeys.

The data also shows that 55 new high-powered charging hubs have been installed across the country in the first quarter of the year.

As of the end of March, there are now 59,590 charging devices installed, according to the data from Zapmap. This figure represents a 10.5% increase in the total number of public chargers since the end of 2023, and a 47% increase since the end of March 2023.

More than 5,500 of this total number of charge points (5,725) were installed in the first quarter of 2024, at a rate of over 1,900 per month. This sees the rate of installation increase by 35% on the 2023 average of 1,400 per month.

Of the 5,725 public chargers installed in the quarter, 25% of them (1,436) are highpowered devices designed for drivers charging as quickly as possible when en route to their destination. 832 of these are the speediest chargers available: 150kW+ ultra-rapid devices.

Zapmap’s statistics also show that the top five networks which provide high-power charging infrastructure in the UK have installed 75% of the rapid and ultra-rapid charge points since the end of 2023. Between them, InstaVolt, Tesla, bp pulse, Osprey and GRIDSERVE installed 839 chargers in the first three months of the year. Of these, Osprey led the charge in the first quarter after installing more than 350 charge points.

Other notable new entrants include Smart Charge from Sainsbury’s, whose network already comprises almost 190 chargers and Applegreen Electric which operates around 160 ultra-rapid devices, primarily at Welcome Break motorway service areas.

Melanie Shufflebotham, Co-founder & COO at Zapmap, said: “It’s fantastic to see that the strong pace of charger installations seen last year has already been exceeded in the first quarter of 2024. In particular, high-powered chargers and hubs are showing great momentum, with new hubs and chargers popping up everywhere from supermarkets to motorway services and retail outlets.

“Our aim at Zapmap is both to help drivers to find suitable, reliable chargers when they are out and about and also to give petrol and diesel drivers the confidence to make the switch.

“It is undoubtedly great news for electric car drivers that the sheer number and as well as the variety of charging options are improving every month.”

^{Image shows Osprey charging hub.}