April sees biggest monthly increase in EV chargepoints as rollout accelerates nationwide
London, 17 May 2025 – The UK’s public electric vehicle (EV) charging network saw its fastest-ever monthly growth in April, with nearly 3,000 new chargers added, according to new Department for Transport (DfT) figures.
On 1 May, a total of 79,326 public charging devices were recorded across the UK – a sharp rise of 2,819 from the previous month’s total of 76,507. This marks a significant 30% year-on-year increase and highlights the Government’s drive to support the nation’s transition to electric motoring.
The figures, based on data compiled by chargepoint mapping service Zapmap, were welcomed by Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood, who said the expansion demonstrates that “drivers are always close to an electric vehicle chargepoint, no matter where they live.”
She added: “Our new stats this week show strong growth in our public chargepoint network, with almost 80,000 public chargepoints now installed and a record of nearly 3,000 made available this April alone. We’re seeing a chargepoint boost across all regions.”
Indeed, regional figures show broad gains across the UK. Compared with April 2024, public charger availability has increased by 30% in the North, 44% in the West Midlands, 29% in the South East, 28% in Wales, 32% in Scotland, and 23% in Northern Ireland.
The rapid expansion is seen as crucial for encouraging more people to adopt electric vehicles, particularly those who cannot install home chargers due to a lack of off-street parking. Analysts argue that accessible, reliable public charging infrastructure is key to reaching the Government’s ambitious climate targets.
John Lewis, chief executive of chargepoint operator char.gy, said the new numbers are encouraging. “These latest figures show real progress – and it’s no longer just in London. We’re now seeing large-scale contracts being announced across the UK, with particularly strong growth over the past 12 months in the North and East of England, as well as the West Midlands.”
He cautioned, however, that rollout alone is not enough. “Looking ahead, the focus is shifting from just building more chargers to making sure people actually use them. That will only happen if the infrastructure works well for everyday needs.”
The DfT has committed to achieving at least 300,000 public chargers by 2030, a target the National Audit Office (NAO) last year deemed “on track”. April’s record growth suggests the momentum may be building to hit that milestone.
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The surge in public charger deployment comes as the UK edges closer to its ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2030 – part of broader plans to reduce transport emissions.
In parallel, the UK’s EV market continues to mature. Industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) revealed this week that two in five new car models now have a pure electric version, the highest ever recorded. Car buyers currently have more than 130 fully electric models to choose from – up from 102 a year ago – alongside over 100 plug-in hybrid options.
Despite the positive growth figures, campaigners and industry leaders have called for continued investment, streamlined planning processes, and greater support for rural and underserved areas to ensure the benefits of EVs are evenly distributed.
As the EV transition accelerates, the spotlight is now on ensuring the infrastructure is not only extensive but also reliable, affordable, and user-friendly — a challenge the Government says it is ready to meet.
