EV charging infrastructure ramps up with 27% growth in early 2025

Electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the UK is expanding rapidly, with a 27% increase in public charge points in the first half of 2025, according to Zapmap’s latest data. A total of 8,670 new chargers were added between January and June, bringing the UK total to 82,369.

Ultra-rapid chargers and larger charging hubs are growing especially fast – important developments for instructors and fleet trainers needing reliable, quick access on the go.

Rapid rollout of hubs and high-speed devices

Charging hubs—locations with six or more rapid or ultra-rapid devices – are on the rise. There were 136 new hubs installed in H1 2025, taking the UK total to 673. These setups are particularly helpful for EV drivers needing fast, en-route charging with added facilities.

Ultra-rapid chargers (150kW+) now outnumber traditional rapid devices (50–149kW), thanks to 1,598 new installations in six months. This reflects a major shift in the kind of infrastructure being prioritised across the UK.

Strong regional progress

Growth isn’t just happening in London and the South East. Nine out of 12 UK regions now have more than 1,200 high-powered chargers (50kW+), and six have over 1,500.

Key regional stats:

• Scotland saw a 29% increase in high-powered chargers in the first half of 2025.
• The North West followed with 21% growth.
• The North East experienced the highest overall charger growth, up 40% year-on-year.

On-street charging expanding beyond London

While Greater London still leads with 20,490 on-street chargers, other parts of the UK are catching up. Between January and June, the rest of the country added over 1,600 on-street devices – up more than 25%, compared to London’s 11% increase.

This boost is supported by government-backed schemes like LEVI (Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure) and ORCS (On-Street Residential Charging Scheme).

Examples include:

• 6,000+ new chargers planned in both Brighton and Suffolk;
• 1,000 in Barnet, with ORCS covering 60% of costs.

These on-street options are vital for drivers without private parking, including instructors training in dense residential areas.

Notable installations in 2025 so far

A number of high-capacity charging locations have opened this year:

• Osprey launched major 300kW sites in Watford and Merseyside;
• Be.EV developed hubs in Greater Manchester;
• Source added 12 ultra-rapid bays in Edinburgh;
• RAW Charging partnered with the National Trust at Stourhead, Wiltshire;
• Be.EV repurposed a former petrol station in Manchester into a 12-bay ultra-rapid charging site.

Charging network breakdown

Here’s how the charging network has grown over the past year:

Industry view

Jade Edwards of Zapmap said the mid-2025 infrastructure looks “significantly different” from six months ago, with more hubs and better en-route charging helping to boost driver confidence.

ChargeUK CEO Vicky Read said growth is keeping pace with the goal of 300,000 chargers by 2030 – but flagged the need for:

• VAT reduction on public charging (from 20% to 5%);
• Fairer standing charges;
• Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation expansion to cover EVs.