Electric Vehicle Charging Device Statistics: July 2020

The number of electric vehicle charging points available publicly in the UK continued to rise in the second quarter of 2020, despite a ‘small impact’ caused by Covid-19.These quarterly statistics, published by the DfT on 11 August, show on 1 July, there were 18,265 electric vehicle charging devices in the UK.

This figure is 2% up on the previous quarter and 11% more than the 16,505 available at the start of the year.

Longer term, it represents a 34% rise over the last 12-months – and a 397% increase since the end of 2015.

The DfT says the Covid-19 pandemic is likely to have had a small impact on figures where data coincides with the UK lockdown period.

Of the charging points available on 1 July 2020, 3,206 were rapid devices – a year-on-year rise of 44%.

Despite the rising numbers, the Government concedes there is an ‘uneven geographical distribution’ of electric vehicle charging points in the UK.

The stats show, at 57, London has the highest level of charging device provision per 100,000 of population – far above the UK average of 27.

Scotland is also above the average, with 35 devices per 100,000 people – as is the North East at 30.

Conversely, Northern Ireland (16), Yorkshire and the Humber (17), the West Midlands (17) and the East of England are among the worst performing areas.

The Government says while some local authorities have bid for funding for charging devices, others have not.