Top 10 towns and cities in the UK for EV chargers

Discover which UK towns and cities have the most EV chargers

As the UK edges ever closer to transitioning towards electric mobility, the total number of charging devices dotted around are increasing week on week.

New figures recently released by the Government, citing data acquired from Zap Map, have revealed some of the best locations to charge an EV by the way of volume of chargers.

The volumes represent the total number of electric charge points – of any speed – made publicly available by a local authority.

In the latest round of findings released in July, London boroughs dominated proceedings with Westminster boasting the highest total number of charging facilities.

Greater London has the biggest share of UK charging points, accounting for 31.4% of all stations, according to ZapMap.

The Department of Transport claim the number of public charge points available has risen by 38% over the last year, as the Government makes up ground on its 2030 target of having 300,000 installed.

Please note that all published figures have been sourced from Zap Map and covers 95% of publicly accessible devices. 

All information is correct at the time of original publication. The total number of devices available is subject to change. 

Top 10 towns and cities in the UK for EV chargers

1. Westminster, London: 2,158
2. Southwark, London: 1,726
3. Coventry, West Midlands: 1,223
4. Brent, Outer London: 814
5. Wandsworth, London: 725
6. Kensington and Chelsea: 696
7. Merton, Outer London: 676
8. Hammersmith and Fulham: 599
9. Leeds, West Yorkshire: 514
10. Milton Keynes, South East: 504

Top five charging locations outside of London

Excluding the likes of Coventry and Milton Keynes that feature in the top 10, here are five of the best towns and cities leading the way outside of London to charge your EV.

1. Birmingham, West Midlands: 472
2. Brighton and Hove, South East: 424
3. Liverpool, Merseyside: 411
4. Cornwall, South West: 408
5. Glasgow City, Scotland: 342

How many rapid chargers are in there in the UK?

According to the report, there were 44,020 public chargers installed across the UK, as of 1 July 2023.

Fast chargers made up 57% (24,918) of those chargers, while rapid chargers accounted for a further 19% (8,461) of all the UK’s charging devices.

Eager to make charging more accessible for those without the ability to top up their EVs at home, 48% (21,294) of all the UK’s chargers are considered to be ‘destination chargers’.

Increasing the number of EV chargers between now and 2030 will be crucial in the Government’s plans to implement widespread adoption of electric vehicles, while minimising range anxiety and charging fears.

What is a destination charger?

A destination charger is a charging station located at a permanent address that isn’t your home. This could include your workplace or a supermarket.

Charging speeds at these locations can vary. Supermarkets are more likely to be rapid chargers, as your time there is likely to be shorter.

Workplaces are more likely to offer slower charging speeds, with drivers less constrained by time while at work.

Such is the convenience of workplace charging, having the ability to charge while you work is one of the most commonly cited reasons for choosing an electric car lease.

Most popular charging network for rapid and ultra rapid charging in the UK

If you’ve ever used a rapid and ultra rapid charging station on your travels, there’s a good chance it was either an Insta Volt, bp pulse or a Tesla Supercharger, which was opened to the wider EV network in 2022.

1. Insta Volt (13.4%)
2. bp pulse (12.7%)
3. Tesla Supercharger (12%)
4. GeniePoint (7.6%)
5. Osprey (7.4%)

What support is the Government providing to improve public EV charging?

The Government estimate there will be roughly 10 million zero-emission vehicles on our road by 2030.

With increased demands set to be placed on our grid, the Government has revealed how they plan to support this and improve the public EV charging experience.

In January 2023, they published their ‘Electric Vehicle Smart Charging Action Plan’, in development with Ofgem.

Smart charging is the act of charging an EV during times where the demand for electricity from the grid is lower. Charging during these off-peak hours - typically in the early hours of the morning - can also be more affordable for drivers.

Finding flexible charging solutions will be crucial in the widespread adoption of EVs. During a previous behaviour trial, the Government found that many EV drivers charge their vehicles between 4pm and 7pm – presumably in line with the end of their commute.

However, this overlaps with the peak demand periods and the trial found that when incentivised to do so, the majority of those involved in the trial – as many as 95% - chose smart charging, even when the saving opportunity was minimal. 

The report claims that smart charging will be available in long duration public charging destinations by the late 2020s, which could offer similar levels of flexibility that come with charging at home.

The Government and Ofgem have pledged to support the industry to build the consumer behaviour understanding to ensure there is the opportunity to incentivise off peak charging by 2025.

LEVI fund to support drivers without off-street parking

The Government have also recently confirmed a further investment of £381 million in the form of the Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund.

The LEVI fund is designed to support local authorities across England to deliver charging infrastructure for drivers that are unable to access off-street parking.

There has been extensive research into the number of properties across the UK without a driveway and it is estimated that between 40 and 45% of properties do not have off-street parking.

Needing a driveway to charge an EV has become one of the most common electric car myths that needs busting to increase the uptake.

A previous EV study from Kwik Fit highlighted this, with 33% of petrol and diesel car buyers citing their inability to charge at home as the reason they’re not transitioning to electric.

There are multiple solutions to charging an EV without a driveway, many of which are supported by funding such as the LEVI fund. However, the convenience of charging at home instead of the public charging network cannot be ignored or overlooked.

Combining convenience with cost appears to be the key to unlocking a fruitful electric future for the UK’s automotive industry.

With the 2030 deadline fast approaching, we will watch the charging figures with interest, with the Government remaining firm on their promise to deliver greener mobility solutions.