The UK’s public charging network is continuing to expand at breakneck speed. According to new data compiled by Zap-Map, new charging destinations with ultra-high-power chargers are leading the expansion. In the first six months of 2022, the number of ultra-fast chargers has leapt by almost 40%. 

As of the end of June 2022, Zap-Map’s data shows that the number of ultra-rapid charge points (which are defined by Zap-Map as units with between 100-350kW output) has grown from 1,290 units to 1,803 units. The figures highlight the fact that a large number of hubs that were commissioned and planned over the last two years are now going live. These include numerous multi-unit sites run by MFG, InstaVolt, Osprey and Gridserve. The latter, for example, is now in its second phase of expansion. Having replaced the ageing network of Ecotricity Electric Highway rapid chargers, the brand is adding a minimum of six ultra-rapid chargers at all its motorway and A-road sites and is developing its innovative Electric Forecourt locations. 

New multi-unit hubs from charging brands such as MFG have helped boost rapid charge provision

In addition to the increase in rapid charger numbers, the availability of on-street chargers has also seen a significant uptick in the first half of the year. Of the 4,205 new devices installed this year, 1,662 of them were on-street chargers. The number of these chargers has increased by just under 19% in 2022 so far, growing from 8,842 at the end of 2021 to 10,504 at the end of June. Of the new devices installed in the first six months of 2022, almost half – 49% – were installed by just five networks. After ubitricity, Pod Point has installed 649 devices of varying speeds. In third place, rapid charging network InstaVolt has installed 166 chargers, while Zap-Pay partner char.gy and destination charging provider VendElectric have installed 145 and 126 respectively.

Zap-Map’s figures show that the area that has seen the highest rate of growth so far this year is the North East, where the number of charging devices has grown by 21% in the first six months of 2022. In terms of units, the number has increased from 897 at the end of 2021 to 1,085 in June.

Despite this, Greater London has seen the highest number of devices installed this year, increasing from 9,160 devices at the end of 2021 to 10,865 at the end of June – an increase of more than 18%. The East of England has also seen significant growth, with 1,775 devices in the ground at the end of 2021, and 2,097 by the end of June – an increase of 18%.

Gridserve's Electric Forecourts are set to become a more common sight around the UK