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Regional divide narrows as UK charging network breaks 80,000 mark

The UK’s charging network has grown by more than 8,000 charge points in the last six months, with soaring numbers of high-speed chargers and a fairer regional spread of devices.

Half-year data from Zapmap shows continued significant growth across the country’s public network, with 8,670 new charge points installed since the start of 2025. That represents a 27% year-on-year increase and there are now 82,369 chargers operational at almost 40,500 locations.

There have been significant improvements across all types of charger, with government funding helping boost on-street residential devices alongside a rapid increase in the number of ultra-rapid sites and charging hubs.

Since the start of the year 136 new charging hubs – defined as having six or more rapid or ultra-rapid devices – have opened around the country. The include two Osprey sites in Merseyside providing a total of 24 300kW chargers; another 16-device Osprey hub in Watford; Source’s first 12-point hub in Edinburgh and Be.EV’s Manchester Charging Oasis with 300kW charging for up to 12 vehicles.

There are now 673 charging hubs around the country, and Zapmap’s head of insights, Jade Edwards, said they indicated the future direction of EV infrastructure, providing faster charging times, sustainable power and better amenities than early ultra-rapid locations.

For the first time, ultra-rapid devices (150kW+) now outnumber rapid devices (50-149kW), with a 23% increase taking their number to 8,619. Overall, ultra-rapid devices have seen 1,598 additions in the past six months, accounting for 18% of all installations and showing the highest level of growth.

osprey merseyside charging hub
Opsrey’s new Merseyside hubs are among a host of en-route locations to open in the first half of 2025

The Zapmap data shows that there has been progress in the regional distribution of high-powered chargers (HPC) this year. Nine out of 12 geographical areas of the UK now have more than 1,200 50kW+ chargers. The mapping service highlighted Scotland and England’s North-West in particular, where numbers have jumped 29% and 21% respectively. In contrast, HPC numbers grew by just 6.8% in London and 7.66% in the West Midlands.

While high-powered charger numbers are soaring, slower devices continue to make up the vast majority of the UK’s public chargers (80%). A total of 65,671 charge points are defined as low-powered (<50kW), covering slower DC chargers and kerbside AC devices. There have been 3,709 new on-street devices installed this year as Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) funds have been released allowing for councils and private operators to roll out more devices.

Most on-street chargers are still concentrated in London but the latest data shows an improving picture outside the capital. While London saw an increase of under 11% in the first six months of the year, the rest of the UK saw the number of on-street chargers increase by more than 25%.

And regions that have historically struggled for provision have seen some of the best growth. The North East has seen 40% year-on-year growth across all types of charger, with the East of England and West Midlands close behind with over 39% and 38% year-on-year growth respectively.

Kerbside charger numbers have grown more rapidly outside London in the first half of 2025

Jade Edwards commented: “The EV landscape at the mid-point of 2025 looks significantly different to six months ago, in terms of the shape of the infrastructure, EV demand and availability and the legislative landscape.

“We’re always pleased to see strong growth in en-route charging and hubs, not just because they are so convenient for EV drivers on long journeys, but also because they provide high-visibility and help instill confidence for drivers looking to make the switch.

“Meanwhile, we’re now beginning to see LEVI funding awards feeding through the system, offering the 40% of people who do not have access to off-street parking increased opportunities to charge close to home and benefit from driving electric.

“We look forward to seeing what further measures the government can introduce to make access to public charging more equitable.”

Vicky Read, CEO at industry body ChargeUK, added: “It’s particularly encouraging to see growth accelerating outside of the South East, with the North East, East of England and West Midlands seeing significant increases, as well as the continued rise in the number of high-profile and high-powered hubs to support en-route charging.”

Matt Allan

Matt is Editor of EV Powered. He has worked in journalism for more than 20 years and been an automotive journalist for the last decade, covering every aspect of the industry, from new model reveals and reviews to consumer and driving advice. The former motoring editor of inews.co.uk, The Scotsman and National World, Matt has watched the EV landscape transform beyond recognition over the last 10 years and developed a passion for electric vehicles and what they mean for the future of transport - from the smallest city cars to the biggest battery-powered trucks. When he’s not driving or writing about electric cars, he’s figuring out how to convert his classic VW camper to electric power.

Matt Allan