EVs outnumber public chargers 22 to 1, data shows

Car charging

Electric vehicles outnumber public chargers 22 to 1 in the UK according to the latest data.

According to Department for Transport data on registered EVs checked against the number of public chargers listed on Zap-Map, there’s one public charger for every 22 registered electric vehicles on average.

Regional data shows that Central London has the best ratio of EVs to charging points, with five cars to one charger. This is no surprise, given London has more chargers than 36 rural counties combined.

The worst area in England for public chargers is Haringey, with 19 cars to one charger. Outside of London, Tyne & Wear has 8 cars to one charger.

Public charger rollout accelerating

Last year, 7,600 public chargers were installed, the biggest rollout in history. 2022 is set to see even more chargers installed.

However, only 1 in 4 public chargers installed last year were rapids, with 3 out of 4 being fast chargers (under 50kW).

The UK100 – a network of local government leaders – said last year the UK will need 325,000 public charge points by 2032 but is on track to fall short by 250,000 chargers.

Personally, I do not agree with the UK100’s pessimistic outlook and have more optimism in the public charger rollout.

Still, it remains to be seen whether the country can make supply meet demand in the near and long term. So far, so good.

Image credit: Gridserve.

Jakk is the founder and chief editor of Top Charger. He drives a Volkswagen ID.3 Family Pro Performance, and despite having a lead right foot, he consistently gets over 200-miles of range.