The UK added more than 17,000 electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints over the past year, marking a 27% year-on-year increase in public charging infrastructure, according to the Department for Transport.
Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood said the expansion supports wider EV adoption, particularly in regions such as the North East, East of England, and the West Midlands. The 17,370 new public chargepoints installed since July 2024 are part of the government’s plan to build out national EV infrastructure.
“Today’s chargepoint figures show that alongside lowering upfront costs, we’re also making fantastic progress towards expanding our charging network across the UK,” Greenwood said. “With a new chargepoint added to the network every half an hour, we’re helping put range anxiety firmly in the rear-view mirror.”
The announcement follows the launch of a government incentive offering discounts of up to £3,750 on new electric vehicles. A £25 million fund has also been introduced to support home charging installation, potentially saving drivers up to £1,500 annually.
“Just last week, we announced record discounts to help make EV ownership a reality for thousands more people,” Greenwood added. “We’re making it easier to charge at home so more drivers can run their EV for as little as 2p a mile – that’s London to Birmingham for £2.50.”
The UK government has committed £4.5 billion to support the transition to electric mobility, including backing domestic car manufacturing and infrastructure expansion. Government data showed Britain was the largest EV market in Europe in 2024, with sales up 20% from the previous year.
The charging network growth is part of broader measures aimed at motorists, including £1.6 billion for road repairs and a fuel duty freeze extended until spring 2026, which the government says could save drivers £50 to £60 per year.