By the end of January 2024, the United Kingdom (UK) reported the existence of 57,290 charging points installed in 32,575 locations, according to data from Zapmap.
Indeed, between the ninth month of this year and the previous one, more than 18,000 devices were installed, representing a 47 per cent growth.
Moreover, it is expected that the charging infrastructure will continue to grow considerably thanks to initiatives undertaken by both state authorities and private sector companies, among which Be.EV, bp pulse, Gridserve, InstaVolt, IONITY, and Qwello stand out.
Regarding the public sector, the UK Government has allocated 1.6 billion pounds to expand the public charging network to 300,000 points by 2030.
This represents a tenfold increase compared to current figures.
Furthermore, authorities are implementing new regulations that require charging point operators (CPOs) to comply with strict standards in terms of maintenance and ease of use.
Additionally, on February 5th, new measures were launched to support electric vehicle (EV) drivers under the Government’s Drivers’ Plan, which includes support for schools, funding for local councils, and new proposals to increase the number of charging devices.
The grant covers up to 75 per cent of the cost of purchasing and installing equipment and up to 2,500 pounds per plug, compared to the previous 350 pounds.
Which companies will install charging points this 2024? Below is the survey conducted by Mobility Portal Europe.
Be.EV
Be.EV, one of the leading CPOs in the UK, plans to establish over a thousand charging points before the end of 2024.
To achieve this goal, the company strategically installs its equipment in highly trafficked locations, forging partnerships with various private sector companies.
For instance, they’ve secured an exclusive agreement with the sporting goods provider Decathlon, which involves installing ultra-fast chargers for electric vehicles in select stores nationwide.
The Stockport store, one of the largest in the UK, will feature 16 bays.
Construction is underway, with completion expected by April 2024
With up to 20,000 visitors per week and an average of over 83,000 vehicles per day, this site is expected to serve around 2,700 cars
Other companies Be.EV collaborates with include Dobbies Garden Centres, the largest garden centre operator in the UK, Derwent, where they have already installed charging devices at two out of 20 locations, and the international car wash company IMO.
bp pulse
In Northern Ireland, bp pulse and Henderson Group have entered into an agreement to install up to 200 EV charging points at approximately 100 sites over the next two years.
The company has already placed 17 charging locations at BP SPAR sites and four additional sites at Henderson Retail SPAR.
The full deployment is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
Additionally, bp pulse has launched its most powerful hub in central London, at Q-Park Pimlico in the Borough of Westminster.
The station features eight charging columns with 150-kilowatt devices, allowing for simultaneous charging of 16 cars.
“We focus on ultra-rapid charging and plan to deploy hundreds of hubs this decade in locations where electric vehicle drivers need them,” says Akira Kirton, Vice President of bp pulse UK.
Recently, the company committed to investing one billion pounds in its UK charging network, tripling the number of installed units by 2030.
Gridserve
Gridserve, a sustainable energy company driven to provide net-zero emissions transportation, covers 85 per cent of the UK’s motorway network and offers over 300 chargers of 350 kilowatts or higher power.
During 2023, around 200 devices were installed, with 32 still under construction.
Thanks to these numbers, the company was recognized as the CPO of the year.
Gridserve’s current focus is on Electric Super Hubs due to their ability to provide fast and convenient charging, especially on motorways.
They are currently leading a project backed by the Government called the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator programme, also known as Electric Freightway.
This involves 33 associated companies and members, as well as the use of a fleet of over 140 electric heavy goods vehicles (eHGVs) to create a bespoke network of charging infrastructure at motorway service areas, truck stops, and commercial depots.
This project includes the installation of over 200 high-power chargers at key motorway service areas and more than ten locations at commercial depots.
The initiative has over 100 million pounds in funding and includes 62.7 million pounds in support from the Government and will extend until 2030.
By 2040, all eHGVs are expected to be zero-emission.
InstaVolt
InstaVolt, the UK’s largest rapid charging network, has joined forces with Plugsurfing, a widely used charging platform by drivers across different countries, to enhance the accessibility of EV charging.
Under this strategic alliance, the company will integrate 1,380 of its units into the Plugsurfing network, which boasts nearly 30,000 points in the area and over 600,000 across Europe.
This partnership will benefit both current and future InstaVolt customers by providing them access to one of the largest electric vehicle charging networks.
Plugsurfing users can obtain a personalized charging card, simplifying the payment process at any affiliated charging station in Europe.
“Our main goal is to make our chargers easily accessible to both new and existing drivers, and there is nothing simpler than accessing them through your car’s integrated navigation system or your favorite apps,” says Adrian Keen, CEO of InstaVolt.
IONITY
IONITY announced the recent addition of a new ultra-rapid charging site at a motorway service station near Toome, in Northern Ireland.
There, the company inaugurated its first high-power charging (HPC) site with six 350-kilowatt devices open to all electric car brands.
At present, it has 174 charging points spread across 26 locations in the UK, with another 15 under construction.
By 2025, the firm aims to reach 1,000 hubs spread across Europe, reaching a total of 7,000 charging points.
Qwello
This charging infrastructure company from Munich has established an agreement with Essex County to install 70 EV charging points in the region.
Initially, they will be placed at thirty locations, including Braintree, Chelmsford, Colchester, Epping, Harlow, and Maldon.
The implementation is scheduled to begin early this year, with the first stations expected to be operational by spring.
Additionally, Qwello has successfully completed the installation of 49 devices at five locations owned by the City of London Corporation, specifically located in parking areas within the Square Mile.
