The UK’s public EV charging network soared 45% in 2023, reaching 53,906 charging points by year-end, new Zapmap figures reveal.

The figures show high growth in the rollout of ultra-rapid chargers and charging hubs

The record charge point installation rate is up from 31% for the years 2021 and 2022. That’s on the back of soaring growth in the number of ultra-rapid chargers and high-power charging hubs installed across the country, but also the rollout of low-powered, on-street chargers.

The new data clearly shows the accelerating pace of EV charger rollout. In October, the UK passed the major milestone of 50,000 public charging points – only eight months after surpassing the 40,000 mark in February 2023.

Last year also saw the rate of net new chargers increase to almost 1,400 devices every month – up from 730 net new devices each month in 2022. This represents growth of 89% in the pace of monthly charge points installations.

The figures have been published as the UK’s ZEV mandate gets underway – and as new figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders reveal record sales of new fully electric cars in 2023. Almost 315,000 new EVs were sold in the UK last year, which means there are 51% more EVs on the road than at the end of 2022. In parallel, the number of high-powered chargers grew by 52% in 2023, to a total of almost 10,500 devices across more than 5,000 locations at the end of December.

Most of the growth was from ultra-rapid chargers providing 100kW or more of power. At the end of 2020, there were 788 such devices live in the UK and accounting for 20% of the country’s high-powered chargers. By the end of December 2023, there were almost 4,870 of these ultra-rapid chargers, comprising a significant 46% of high-powered devices across the country.

Zapmap’s data also shows soaring UK installations of charging hubs – defined as more than six rapid or ultra-rapid devices. These rose from 108 at the end of December 2022, up to 264 by the end of 2023 – an increase of 145%. While many might think these are mainly located at motorway services, the vast majority (some 80%) are actually situated at facilities ranging from retail parks, through to car parks, fuel stations and dedicated charging areas with amenities for EV drivers.

The figures also illustrate “encouraging developments” in the UK’s regional distribution of high-powered charging devices. Since 2022, Greater London, South East and South West have joined Scotland in having more than 1,000 rapid / ultra-rapid chargers available, and nearly all geographical areas of the UK displayed good growth, notably Northern Ireland, albeit from a low base.

The number of low-powered chargers – typically used to support those without charging points at home – has also grown. There are 72% more on-street chargers than there were this time last year, although the rollout is regionally patchy and largely dependent on the engagement at a local authority level. But the ongoing rollout of the Government’s £450m LEVI scheme for local authorities will bring further developments in this area, building on the gains seen in 2023.

Melanie Shufflebotham, co-founder and COO at Zapmap, said: “Overall, 2023 was a very good year for EV charging with the rate of installation showing record growth, particularly for the higher-powered chargers to support EV drivers on longer journeys.”

She added: “Whilst less than 3% of EV drivers would go back to petrol / diesel, we know that EV drivers want more chargers and a better charger experience. As we move into 2024, we look forward to continued progress in both these areas as more and more drivers make the positive move to driving electric.”

Ian Johnston, chair of ChargeUK, commented: “These numbers can give drivers further confidence. Our members are putting charge points in the ground at record pace and will spend £6bn before 2030 on ensuring the UK has the right charging solutions in the right place.

“But we intend to go even further and faster this year to make the UK the best place in the world to drive and charge an EV.”