Electric Charging Sites Exceed UK Fuel Stations

Following the announcement of plans to ban sales of all petrol and diesel cars by 2040, new data shows that the UK is now home to more electric car charging sites than gas stations. According to figures from dedicated EV website Zap-Map, there are now 8,471 EV charging sites across the United Kingdom, compared to 8,400 fuel stations recorded by a recent Experian Catalist Market Summary Report. In total, the charging sites offer more than 13,000 plug-in stations. The milestone is an important breakthrough for the UK, which plans to become "effectively zero emission" in the next 20 years.

UK moves towards zero carbon economy

Zap-Map asserts the number of public charging sites available to EV drivers has soared by 57% over the past year, a figure that reflects the increase in the number of EVs on British roads. Six years ago, there were just 3500 registered electric vehicles, while today there are more than 210,000. Over the next few years the figure is expected to hit at least one million.

For the UK, the rapid adoption of EVs represent a significant step forward in its goals to eliminate carbon emissions by 2050, a commitment that was promised by outgoing Prime Minister, Theresa May. The rapid rollout of EV charge stations has been largely powered by a £390 million charging infrastructure investment that funded the installation of 3000 public charging locations across the UK as part of the government's 'Road to Zero' initiative.

EV technology gets smarter and faster

New technology is playing a central role in fast-tracking the EV revolution, with companies competing to offer longer driving ranges and faster charges. Currently, rapid chargers offer rates of around 50kW, which can fully replenish the battery of a standard EV in around 40 minutes. EV drivers can also access a handful of next generation rapid chargers that offer rates of up to 350kW and total charge times of just 10 minutes.

Ben Lane, co-founder and chief technology officer at Zap-Map says the growing popularity and availability of EV charging sites "reveals the rapid pace of change already underway as the age of the combustion engine gives way to an all-electric era".

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