Zapmap have revealed that there is some light at the end of the tunnel that is high speed EV charging on the UK’s motorway network.
In May last year, we reported that only 27 of 119 service stations had installed at last six ultra fast EV chargers and that the previous government’s ambition to have at least six at every service station by the end of the year was someway off being met. A number of service stations had none at all.
Now Zapmap, in association with the AA, are reporting that things are picking up, with 200 new 150kW+ EV chargers having been installed at motorway services in England since the beginning of the year. A 51% increase over previous eight months.
As things stand, 48% of service stations in England have at least six 150kW chargers, with a number of them offering 350kW.
64% have at least one ultra-rapid 150kW+ charger, usually in combination with other, less powerful chargers.
Tesla charge points are not included in these numbers although a trial is in place to allow drivers of other marques to use Tesla chrges at a limited number of locations.
Four motorway service stations have no chargers more powerful than 50kW: Leicester Forest East (north and southbound) on the M1, Sedgemoor on the northbound M5 and Telford on the M54. All say they are working on getting sufficient power to their sites.
RAC Head of Policy Simon Williams said: ‘Although the previous government’s target of having six high-powered chargers over 50kW at every motorway services in England was undoubtedly missed, it’s very clear that great progress is being made regardless and, in some locations, the number of chargers provided is now extremely impressive.
‘It is particularly encouraging to see so many ultra-rapid chargers being installed, with these representing nearly three-quarters (73%) of all the high-powered devices at motorway services so far this year, up from 54% a year ago. As we’ve long said, this is just what’s needed to give current and prospective EV drivers the reassurance to know they can get back on the road quickly when making long journeys beyond the range of their cars.
‘We know there is a willingness from both service station companies and charge point operators to get as many of the fastest devices put in, but often the prime stumbling block is getting the required high-powered connections to the country’s national electricity grid. More needs to be done to make this process faster and simpler than it is currently. This is the exact point of the Government’s £950m Rapid Charging Fund, so it would be good to see this delivering more high-speed connections soon.’
Zapmap Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer Melanie Shufflebotham said: ‘There has been a huge investment in charging at motorway services areas over the past couple of years by charge point operators and motorway service providers.
‘The increase in number of high-powered charging at motorway service areas since the beginning of the year has been impressive. It’s good to see Tesla opening up some of its locations to all vehicles, and I am sure there is more to come.
“We know from our surveys and data that motorway service areas are very popular, convenient charging locations, and as more people make the switch to electric, it is important that there is sufficient visible provision at each and every motorway service area.
‘That said, the huge growth of charging hubs, typically very close to key routes, means that EV drivers do not need to solely rely on the motorway service areas, and have a broad range of options from which to choose.’