The UK has established a new national benchmark by deploying nearly 6,000 public EV chargers during the initial quarter of 2024. Data from Zapmap, released by the Department for Transport, reveals a 49% increase from the previous year, pushing the total to nearly 60,000 across the nation.
This notable expansion includes about 1,500 rapid chargers, capable of powering vehicles in less than an hour. Such developments are pivotal in mitigating ‘range anxiety’—the apprehension that an EV might deplete its battery before reaching the next charging station. This anxiety represents a significant impediment to EV adoption globally, particularly in the US, ranking as the world’s second-largest automobile market.
Despite the prolific installation of chargers, economic factors, such as rising interest rates impacting disposable incomes, have slowed electric vehicle sales in the UK. Industry giants like Tesla and China’s BYD report declining figures, with electric models constituting merely 15.5% of total car sales this year, indicating a plateau after previous robust growth.
Nevertheless, the UK’s aggressive charger installation strategy seems effective in quelling concerns about range. A survey by the Electric Vehicle Association indicates a mere 6% of EV drivers in England consistently experience range anxiety, with an overwhelming 94% encountering it occasionally, rarely, or never.
Charger installations per capita show impressive growth in the north-east of England, closely followed by the south-west. London, with 221 chargers per 100,000 people, remains the most well-equipped region. This density is largely driven by demand in affluent neighborhoods lacking private parking facilities.
Ben Nelmes, CEO of New AutoMotive, a think tank focused on electric mobility, attributes the progress to a blend of public initiatives and private sector engagement. He said this was partly a result of councils gradually taking advantage of central government grants to install chargers
This shift highlights a concerted UK commitment to facilitating a seamless transition to electric vehicles, setting the stage for a future where EVs transition from novelty to standard, supported by a robust public charging network. As the British roadway landscape transforms, the UK is emerging as a frontrunner in the global movement towards sustainable transportation.
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