The UK’s public EV charging network reached a total of 37,055 devices in 2022 – up 31% year-on-year but renewing concerns whether the Government’s target of 300,000 charge points by 2030 will be met.

The figures, published by the Department for Transport, are based on Zap-Map data already issued at the start of January and show that the total number of devices rose by 8,680 in 2022; a 31% increase. Meanwhile, the number of rapid charging or above devices increased by 34%, equating to an additional 1,731 public devices installed.

The new data also breaks down figures on a quarterly basis and shows the total installed devices increased by 2,418 compared to 1 October 2022 – a rise of 7% – while rapid charging or above devices increased by 492, equating to an increase of 8%.

The stats also explore charging speed and find that 6,887 devices of the total 2022 figure were rated as “rapid” or above, which represents 19% of all charging devices while 21,255 were rated “fast”, accounting for 57% of the public charging network.

The data also examines relative growth in charging devices in all speed categories seen across 2022. Proportionately, the largest increase in installations was within the ultra-rapid device category, which increased by 10% in the last quarter (albeit from a lower base than other categories), accounting for 211 charging devices. Ultra-rapid charging devices are still the smallest overall category with 2,295 devices.

Proportionately, the smallest increase in charging devices installations was in the slow charging devices categories, with an increase of 5% or 417 charging devices. Fast charging devices are still the most common category to be publicly installed, growing by 8% or 1,509 devices.

Location of devices was also explored in the figures. A total of 18,321 devices were designated as “destination” chargers, accounting for 49% of all charging devices, while 11,996 were designated as “on-street” chargers, which represents 32%. “En-route” devices held a 6% share with 2,275 devices while 12% or 4,463 were classed as “other”.

And the figures check out regional distribution – reinforcing again that geographical distribution of charging devices within the UK is uneven. London and Scotland had the highest level of charging provision per 100,000 of population, with 131 and 69 devices per 100,000 respectively. In comparison, the average provision in the UK was 55 per 100,000.

Northern Ireland had the lowest level of charging device provision in the UK, with 19 devices per 100,000, followed by the North West and Yorkshire and the Humber with 31 and 36 devices per 100,000 respectively.

When it comes to rapid device provision, Scotland lead the way in 2022 with the highest rate of 17.3 rapid or quicker devices per 100,000, whilst the average provision in the UK was 10.3 per 100,000. Rapid or quicker device provision was lowest for Northern Ireland with 1.4 rapid or quicker devices per 100,000. North West and East of England were the second and third lowest regions with 8.3 and 8.9 rapid or quicker devices per 100,000 respectively.

Calls for interim EV charge point targets

While the figures show that charge point installations are heading in the right direction, they’ve prompted further concerns that work isn’t keeping up with demand for EVs. Latest SMMT figures show registrations of fully electric cars rose 40.1% last year to more than 267,000 units – outpacing charging deployment and leaving much work to be done if the Government is to meet its target of 300,000 charge points by the time the 2030 ICE ban kicks in.

Jon Lawes, managing director at Novuna Vehicle Solutions, said that while 2022 was a record-breaking year for public charge point installation, the reality is that we’ve still got a very long way to go to match demand.

“The fact remains that the UK has fewer than 38,000 public EV chargers in the ground, a feat that has taken over 10 years to accomplish. To meet the Government’s target of 300,000 charge points by 2030, the UK will need 30,000 devices installed every year for the next seven years.  That’s a tenfold increase over the previous decade.  And even if we achieve this goal, the ratio of EVs to chargers will still increase to 54:1 if only half of the population is driving an EV by that time.

“Charging anxiety isn’t going away. Fundamentally, sustaining the level of EV adoption we’ve achieved to date to become more mainstream by the deadline requires a radical transformation of public charger provision if we are to successfully navigate what is already a bumpy road ahead to 2030.”

The AA also said it was concerned public infrastructure would not keep pace with new EV sales and called for interim EV charge point targets.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy, said: “New EVs are flying off the factory floor, but we desperately need charge point installations to keep pace with an ever-growing demand.

“With a target of 300,000 publicly available charge points by 2030 and just 37,055 installations in place, more focus is needed to accelerate the nation’s charging infrastructure.

“We urge the Government to set marker post targets in place so drivers can see the progress is being made while giving those nervous to switch the confidence to do so.”

And the RAC has also called for action, highlighting the impact on driver EV intentions if public charging isn’t keeping pace with EV registrations

Head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes continued: “Data already shows a record number of electric vehicles per public charging point, so we strongly urge the Government to introduce annual installation targets and do whatever it takes to make it easier for operators to install new charging hubs.

“It should also be noted that rapid and ultra-rapid chargers currently account for just a fifth of all the network and are growing at a slower rate. If people are to make longer journeys quickly and easily, we need to eradicate the rapid charging ‘deserts’ that exist and make the fastest possible chargers available much more widely.”

However, a report published earlier this week by independent transport research organisation New AutoMotive has a different take. It says the UK is currently on track to meet targets for charge points but the Government can speed up the rate of growth by addressing barriers to roll-out by providers.

Based on a survey and in-depth interviews with key charging industry participants, it contends that it’s actually a lack of user demand for public charging that’s hampering charge point operators’ ability to grow, including due to most drivers charging at home. The report says that more EVs are needed to grow the public charging network – which means action from the Government, in particular on the ZEV mandate.

To access the DfT stats on charge points, click here.