Ian Johnston
Chair, ChargeUK, the voice of the UK charging infrastructure industry
The global shift toward electric vehicles (EVs) is accelerating, driven by concerns over climate change and a growing awareness of the environmental impact of traditional petrol and diesel cars.
The UK will have one million EVs on its roads in 2024. There are already upwards of 50,000 public charge points in use and many more when you factor in those that people have installed at home. The UK is seeing one new public charge point switched on every 20 minutes. ChargeUK members will invest over £6 billion in growing the network over the next six years and of course our work will continue into the 2030s as the majority of drivers join the transition.
But numbers are only a small part of the story. Key to the success of the switch to electric is ensuring drivers can access the right charging solution in the right place.
This infrastructure is the backbone of the electric vehicle revolution, and it plays a pivotal role in ensuring a smooth transition from internal combustion engines to electric power. EV drivers need to know that they can easily charge their vehicles, whether at home, work, or on the go. And thanks to the work of the 24 member companies of ChargeUK, they can be confident that will be the case.
As more people drive EVs we need to keep ramping up
the pace and ensuring that the right charging
solution is available in the right place.
There is going to be a fundamental shift in the way we drive. Many people will charge at home or at work and very rarely visit a public charging station. Others, particularly those without off street parking, will be far more reliant on the public charging network. Each driver will have bespoke charging behaviour. The network is already accommodating that. But as more people drive EVs we need to keep ramping up the pace and ensuring that the right charging solution is available in the right place.
That means slower chargers on streets and at workplaces where cars are parked for significant chunks of time. Faster chargers at places like cinemas and gyms. And rapid and ultra-rapid chargers along motorways and roads serving lots of traffic. The average stop at a motorway service station is 20 minutes – enough time to put up to 200 miles of charge in your EV.
The deployment of charging infrastructure also presents economic opportunities. It stimulates job creation, drives innovation, and attracts investments to the UK.
Government, businesses and communities must work together to invest in and expand the charging network, supporting a future where electric vehicles are the norm. By doing so, we can accelerate the shift towards a cleaner, greener and more sustainable transportation system.