Where EV charge points being installed revealed by new DfT data

There was a “mixed picture” in the regional breakdown of electric vehicle (EV) charge points across the UK, according to new figures published by the Department for Transport (DfT).

London had the greatest increase at 26.9% in total charging devices from July to September 2023, while the North East had a decrease of 7.3%.

London also had the greatest increase in the absolute number of charge points at 3,592 devices, followed by West Midlands at 347.

The North East region has seen a decrease this quarter due to a net decrease of devices in Stockton-on-Tees related to a subset of charging devices being wound down by the charge point operator.

The number of available devices can fluctuate for a range of reasons, says the DfT.

Increases, it said, likely reflect the installation of new devices, while owners and operators can choose to temporarily or permanently decommission or replace devices.

Charging devices can also be unavailable due to faults, maintenance or other restrictions in the area where they are located, though data on the status of charging devices is not held by DfT.

Across all speeds in total, DfT says that there is an “uneven geographical distribution” of charging devices within the UK.

Some UK local authorities have bid for Government funding for charging devices, and others have not, it said.

Most of the provision of this infrastructure has been market-led, with individual charging networks and other businesses (such as hotels) choosing where to install devices.

As of October 1, 2023, there were 49,220 public electric vehicle charging devices installed in the UK.

Changing charge point definitions

The DfT has introduced new speed category breakdowns. The new categories are 3 kilowatts (kW) up to 8kW, 8kW to 49kW, 50kW to 149kW and 150kW and above.

The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) is working with industry on the naming conventions for these new categories; until these are determined DfT is referring to the new categories by their power rating.

The DfT figures show that 8,908 had 50kW of power or above, which represented 18% of all charging devices; 30,737 had a power rating of 3kW up to 8kW - 62% of all charging devices.

Some 22,167 were designated as “destination” chargers, equating to 45% of all charging devices, while 18,942 were designated as “on street” chargers, accounting for 38% of all charging devices

Compared to July 1, 2023, total installed devices increased by 5,200, an increase of 12%

Under the DfT’s previous definitions, rapid charging or above devices are those whose fastest connector was rated at 25kW and above and included those charging devices classified as either rapid or ultra-rapid.

Since October 1, 2022, under the former definition, the number of rapid charging or above devices increased by 42%, an additional 2,717 public devices installed.

Based on the new speed categories, introduced in October 2023, there were 8,908 rated 50kW and above public charging devices, this accounted for 18% of all charging devices.

The largest speed category within the former categories was ‘fast’ charging devices (7kW to 22kW), which accounted for 53% of all charging devices, while the new speed categories, 3kW up to 8kW has the highest proportion of charging devices at 62% (30,737).

This apparent expansion of devices seemingly being grouped into lower kW rates under the new definitions can be explained by the high number of “overnight” chargers powered at 7.1kW (the standard speed for an “overnight” charger).

Previously, these were included in the ‘fast’ category in the former speed categories but now are in the new 3kW up to 8kW category in the new definitions.

Destination charge points accounted for 22,167 charging devices or 45% of all publicly available charging devices. “On street” charging devices account for 38% of charging devices or 18,942.

Charging provision per 100,000 of population

London and Scotland had the highest level of charging provision per 100,000 of population, with 193 and 77 devices per 100,000 respectively. In comparison, the average provision in the UK was 73 per 100,000.

Northern Ireland had the lowest level of charging device provision in the UK, with 23 devices per 100,000, followed by the North West and Yorkshire and the Humber with 42 and 46 devices per 100,000 respectively.

Public charging devices per 100,000 of population by UK country and region

When focusing on higher speeds of 50kW and above, Scotland had the highest rate of device provision at 18.8 50kW and above charging devices per 100,000, while the average provision in the UK was 13.3 per 100,000. 50kW and above charging device provision was lowest for Northern Ireland with 2.9 50kW and above charging devices per 100,000.

The North West was the second lowest regions with 10.8 50kW and above charging devices per 100,000 respectively.