How Many EV Charging Stations Are There in the UK?

Introduction: Why EV Charging Infrastructure Matters

How Many EV Charging Stations are reshaping the UK’s automotive landscape. To support this shift — and to encourage more people to go electric — the UK has invested heavily in public charging infrastructure. Without enough chargers, EV adoption suffers due to range anxiety — the fear of running out of charge before reaching the next station.

Reliable, widespread charging stations are essential for:

✔ Daily commuting across towns and cities
✔ Long‑distance travel on motorways
✔ Supporting EV users who don’t have home chargers
✔ Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality

The UK public charging network has grown rapidly over the past decade and continues to expand at a strong pace.

Latest Figures: How Many EV Charging Stations in the UK?

According to the most recent government and industry reports:

📊 Total Public EV Charging Devices in the UK (2025)

📌 Key Insight: As of late 2025, there are around 87,000 public EV charging devices across the UK, spread across more than 44,000 locations.

These chargers are publicly accessible, meaning they can be used by any EV owner — unlike private home chargers, which are widely installed but not open to the general public.

Chargers vs. Locations vs. Connectors — What’s the Difference?

To better understand these numbers, here’s a quick explanation:

• Charging Location: Similar to a petrol station — a physical site where EV chargers are installed.

• Charging Devices / Points: These are the chargers themselves (e.g., charging pedestal).

• Connectors: The plugs on a charging device. A single device may have multiple connectors (e.g., Type 2, CCS).

For example, one location (say, a car park) may have 4 chargers with 8 connectors — allowing multiple vehicles to charge simultaneously.

Breakdown by Charger Type

The UK charging network includes different types of chargers, each serving specific use cases:

⚡ 1) Slow & Fast Chargers

• ~3kW to 22kW

• Common in residential and destination locations

• Ideal for overnight charging

⚡ 2) Rapid Chargers (50–149kW)

• Provide significant charge in ~30–60 minutes

• Suitable for quick top‑ups on the road

⚡ 3) Ultra‑Rapid Chargers (150kW+)

• Deliver high power for fast charging (often to ~80% in 20–40 minutes)

• Critical for motorway travel and long distances

📊 Rapid & Ultra‑Rapid Charger Stats (2025)

Growth in higher‑power chargers is especially notable, with ultra‑rapid installations rising quickly to support busier routes and highway travel.

How the UK Charging Network Has Grown Over Time

The charging network in the UK hasn’t always been this large. It started from just a few thousand devices over a decade ago and has soared alongside EV adoption.

⚙️ Growth Trend Example:

• 2020: ~30,000 public chargers

• 2024: ~70,000+ public charge points

• 2025: ~87,000+ devices available

Growth is driven by both private companies and public sector plans, with significant increases year‑on‑year:

📈 Between October 2024 and October 2025:
➡ 15,979 new chargers were added — a 23% increase.

UK vs. Petrol Stations — A Comparison

One interesting insight is how the EV charging network compares to traditional petrol stations:

➡ This comparison shows that charging locations now significantly outnumber petrol stations, reflecting the transition from fossil fuels to electric mobility.

Geographic Distribution — Where Are Chargers Located?

Charging points are not evenly distributed across the UK. Some regions have higher concentrations, while others lag behind.

📍 Key Locations with High Coverage:

• Greater London: ~27,000+ charging points — highest in the UK

• South East England: ~11,000+

• West Midlands: ~7,700+

These figures reflect both population density and proactive infrastructure planning.

Read more:

Regional Challenges

Areas like Northern Ireland still have significantly lower charger density per capita compared to England and Scotland, reflecting regional investment disparities.

Government Policy & Targets

The UK government has set ambitious policies to ensure a smooth transition to electric motoring.

Key Objectives Include:

✔ Increasing the number of public charging points to 300,000 by 2030
✔ Deploying chargers in rural, suburban, and urban communities
✔ Encouraging ultra‑rapid charging on motorways and key routes

These targets align with broader zero‑emission vehicle mandates — requiring all new cars and vans to be zero emissions before 2035. Government incentives and funding programs support these goals.

📌 Funding Milestones:

• £650M in grants for EV infrastructure and vehicle subsidies

• Reduced installation regulations to increase charger deployment speed

The Role of Private Charging (Home & Workplace)

While public chargers are essential, most EV charging in the UK still happens at home or workplace locations:

🔌 Home Chargers: Installed by EV owners on private driveways
🏢 Workplace Chargers: Installed by employers for staff and fleet use

Although these are not included in public charging statistics, they form a large part of the overall charging ecosystem and are often more cost‑effective for daily use.

Challenges Facing the UK Charging Network

Despite rapid growth, the UK charging network still faces obstacles:

⚠️ 1. Grid Capacity & Infrastructure Delays

Some regions struggle with connecting new chargers due to electrical grid constraints, leading to project delays.

⚠️ 2. Uneven Regional Coverage

Urban centres have better charger coverage than rural areas — creating gaps in accessibility.

⚠️ 3. Installer Slowdown

Recent trends showed the slowest charger rollout rate since 2022, attributed to investment hesitation and operational costs.

What This Means for EV Drivers

For EV users in the UK today:

✔ Charging access is far better than a few years ago
✔ Rapid and ultra‑rapid chargers support long journeys
✔ Urban residents benefit from high charger densities

But:

⚡ There are still gaps, especially in rural regions
⚡ Home charging remains essential
⚡ Charger reliability and payment systems vary by operator

The Future: What to Expect by 2030

📌 EV Charging Predictions

Experts estimate continued expansion toward government targets:

• 300,000+ public charging points by 2030

• Faster chargers along major transport corridors

• More smart chargers integrated with grid and renewable energy

This growth supports broader net‑zero goals and the nationwide shift to EV ownership for everyday drivers.

Conclusion

The UK has made remarkable progress in expanding its electric vehicle charging infrastructure. From tens of thousands of chargers a few years ago to nearly 90,000 public charging devices today, the network continues to grow fast. With strong policy support, private investment, and technological advancements, the UK is on track for a future where electric mobility is the norm rather than the exception.

Whether you’re an EV driver, fleet manager, or automotive enthusiast, these numbers show a clear trend: EV charging accessibility across the UK is improving rapidly — making electric driving more convenient and widespread than ever before.