The number of public EV charging points in the UK has increased by 31% since 2021, new government figures show.
A total of 8,680 new public charging points were installed last year, bringing the UK total to 37,055. Fast chargers accounted for 19% of the products offered.
government It was predicted before The UK will need at least 300,000 public charging points by 2030. Only 12% of that number is currently installed in the UK.
Motor groups are concerned that the EV infrastructure will not be able to keep up with the growing demand for EVs. BEVs account for 16.2% of all new car sales by 2022.
Eradicating the fast charging “desert”
Nicholas Lyes, head of road policy at the RAC, said: “It’s all well and good for carmakers to have zero-emission vehicle mandates, but if public charging doesn’t keep pace with EV registrations then drivers will quickly be disappointed and frustrated.
“Data already shows record numbers of electric vehicles per public charging point, so we strongly urge the government to set annual installation targets and do everything it can to make it easier for operators to install new charging centres.
“It should also be noted that fast and ultra-fast chargers currently account for only one-fifth of all networks and are growing at a slower pace. We need to eradicate fast charging The ‘desert’ that exists – and make the fastest chargers available as widely as possible. “
A new charger target is needed
Responding to the Department of Transport’s new figures, AA head of road policy Jack Cousens said: “New electric cars are leaving the factory, but we urgently need charging stations to keep up with growing demand.
“Our target is to have 300,000 public charging points by 2030, and with only 37,055 installed, there needs to be a greater focus on accelerating the nation’s charging infrastructure.
“We urge the government to set iconic targets so drivers can see progress is being made, while giving those who are nervous the confidence to do so.”
Earlier this year, the SMMT highlighted that to meet the minimum target of 300,000, the UK would need to install more than 100 new chargers a day. The current exchange rate is 23 per day.
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