UK hits 10,000 high-powered charge points milestone

The UK has passed the significant milestone of 10,000 rapid and ultra-rapid electric vehicle charging points, according to latest Zapmap figures.

According to the new data from Zapmap, the 10,000th charge point was a rapid device installed at Sedbergh Leisure Centre in Bradford, and is part of the GeniePoint charging network. The new figures show that there are now over 10,000 rapid and ultra-rapid charging devices installed across 5,000 UK charging locations. These form the higher-powered end of the country’s public charging network.

Furthermore, Zapmap’s latest statistics indicate that the overall rate of charge point installation is also accelerating. In November 2022, the overall growth of the UK’s public network stood at 34% year on year. A year later, however, that figure has risen to 45% overall, as of November 2023.

The 10,000 rapid and ultra-rapid milestone reflects encouraging growth in a critical area of the country’s public network: en-route charging infrastructure designed for drivers looking to recharge their vehicle as quickly as possible on longer journeys.

Indeed, the power rating of the charge points being installed is increasing, with devices of 100kW or more becoming increasingly prevalent.

At the end of 2020, the 788 devices in the UK of 100kW or more accounted for 20% of the country’s high-powered chargers. Now, in early December 2023, there are 4,504 devices of 100kW or over, comprising a significant 45% of high-powered devices across the country.

The timing of the milestone also illustrates an acceleration in the rate of high-power charge point installation over recent years.

In January 2021, for instance, the UK hit 4,000 high-powered devices, followed by the 6,000 mark in June 2022. Less than a year later, in May 2023, the UK surpassed 8,000 high-power devices.

With the country’s 10,000th rapid or ultra-rapid device now up and running, the milestone is indicative of real change for EV drivers embarking on longer journeys across the UK.

In addition, these high-powered devices are increasingly being seen in charging hubs, which Zapmap defines as groups of six or more rapid or ultra-rapid devices. A year ago, at the end of November, there were 99 open-access charging hubs, while at the end of November 2023 this more than doubled to 239.

Melanie Shufflebotham, Co-founder & COO at Zapmap, said: “Hitting the 10,000 high-powered charging devices mark is really important for electric car drivers across the country. Having surpassed 8,000 rapid and ultra-rapid devices as recently as May 2023, it’s fantastic to see this latest milestone arrive just in time for Christmas.

“The availability of more than 5,000 charging locations with rapid or ultra-rapid chargers spread right across the country, many of which are hubs, will give drivers confidence to drive electric wherever they go during the festive period.”

Jade Edwards, Head of Insights at Zapmap, said: “It’s great to see the UK surpass 10,000 high-powered charging devices. That’s not only because it illustrates the acceleration in the rate of charge point installation. It’s also because the data shows the increasing prevalence of the highest power devices, those with a power rating of 100kW or more.

“Having accounted for a fifth of high-power devices in December 2020, now almost half of the UK’s high-powered chargers are capable of delivering 100kW or well above, enabling anyone driving home for Christmas in an electric car to get there that much quicker.”