UK electric charger rollout loses momentum as investment slows
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The UK’s electric vehicle charging rollout has experienced its slowest growth in three years, raising concerns that wavering government policy and infrastructure delays could jeopardise the country’s net-zero transport ambitions.
According to new data from Zapmap, there were 87,200 public chargers installed in the UK at the end of November 2025, up 13,500 from the previous year. While still representing an increase, the figure marks a substantial drop from 2024’s 37 percent growth, with projections suggesting annual expansion could fall below 20 percent for the first time since 2020.
The slower pace of charger deployment has emerged despite rising sales of electric vehicles. Battery electric cars accounted for 23 percent of all new car registrations in the first eleven months of 2025, up from 19 percent during the same period in 2024. While this trend points to ongoing demand, analysts warn that a growing gap between vehicles on the road and available public charging infrastructure could pose problems, especially for drivers without access to home charging.
Colin Walker, head of transport at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, said the reduced pace of installations reflected a wider lack of clarity from government. He cited the decision to water down the UK’s zero emission vehicle mandate and introduce a pay-per-mile tax on electric cars from 2028 as policies likely to deter investors and confuse consumers. “The weakening of the mandate could incentivise plug-in hybrid sales over full EVs,” he said. “Meanwhile, the 3p per mile tax risks undermining consumer confidence at a time when support is needed most.”
Infrastructure challenges and cost pressures
The slowdown also highlights logistical and economic constraints facing the UK’s charger industry. Vicky Read, chief executive of ChargeUK, a trade body for charge point operators, said rising installation costs and delays in securing grid connections were affecting the speed of rollout, particularly in less commercially viable areas.
Across the network, 48,100 slow chargers were installed by the end of November, a year-on-year increase of 15 percent. These types of chargers are typically used overnight or at destinations, offering lower-cost charging to users. Ultra-rapid chargers, used for longer journeys, saw stronger growth of 39 percent, reaching around 9,800 installations.
However, Read noted that the pace of growth remains below industry targets. “Charge point operators are facing rising costs, which has impacted rollout in more challenging locations,” she said. “Grid connection delays continue to be a critical bottleneck.”
Melanie Shufflebotham, chief operating officer at Zapmap, echoed those concerns. She said the Levi fund, designed to support local authority charging infrastructure, had been delayed in deployment, with significant funding now not expected until 2026 and 2027. In the meantime, some operators are postponing investments or pulling back on expansion plans.
Regional inequality and delayed funding
Despite aggregate growth, sharp regional disparities persist. London now has over 300 public chargers per 100,000 people, compared with just 39 in Northern Ireland. Other slower regions include the East Midlands and north-east England, according to the latest Zapmap data.
The Levi fund, announced as part of the government’s electric vehicle infrastructure strategy, is intended to address these gaps by providing targeted funding to local councils. Yet as of late 2025, few councils have received substantial disbursements. The complex tendering process, coupled with the challenge of securing sites and grid connections, has slowed delivery on the ground.
Some independent analysis offers a more optimistic view. Research by Cenex, a non-profit consultancy, suggests that national charging supply remains around 18 months ahead of demand in aggregate terms. However, the organisation cautions that this headline figure masks regional deficits and a mismatch between the types of chargers available and where they are most needed.
Looking ahead to 2026
Despite the headwinds, industry leaders remain cautiously optimistic about the year ahead. Shufflebotham highlighted continued strong growth in ultra-rapid charging as a positive indicator. These high-power units, often placed near motorways or key routes, have seen higher usage rates and typically receive faster investment approvals.
Meanwhile, the expectation that Levi funding will flow in bulk in 2026 and 2027 may help reignite the pace of installations. The challenge will be ensuring that local authorities have the planning, procurement and technical resources to deploy infrastructure quickly and efficiently.
ChargeUK has called for further action from central government, including reforms to grid connection procedures, improved transparency around funding timelines and a stronger commitment to long-term EV policy stability. Without this, they argue, the risk remains that infrastructure investment will fall behind rising demand, ultimately slowing the EV transition and undermining the UK’s climate targets.
The latest figures underline a key turning point for the UK’s electric vehicle ecosystem. While consumer adoption continues to grow, the broader system of charging infrastructure, regulation and investment now needs renewed coordination. Without it, the risk is not a collapse, but a plateau, one that could leave thousands of future EV drivers waiting longer for the infrastructure they were promised.
Sources