Hundreds of new rapid charge points have been installed during the first quarter of the year, new data shows…
New Rapid Chargers
The UK’s network of public chargers continues to grow. Notably, a number of installed devices are now powerful, rapid chargers; allowing EV drivers to quickly fill their car’s batteries. Data compiled by Zap-Map has shown that some 400 rapid and ultra-rapid charge points have been installed in the first quarter of 2022.
Indeed, the number of ultra-rapid chargers has risen by 11%, reaching a total of 1,434. Crucially, the total number of charge points has increased by 7% so far this year. This means there are now 30,409 chargers across 19,150 locations. The 100+ kW DC ultra-rapid chargers saw the most growth, with 162 new points being installed. In addition, 250 DC rapid chargers (25 to 99kW) were also installed. Overall, the UK now has 5,500 rapid chargers in total.
Whilst the rapid chargers only make up around 20% of the total network, they now account for an impressive 60% of available charging capacity; a testament to the power of their technology.
‘A Diversity of Speeds’
Melanie Shufflebotham, co-founder and chief operating officer at Zap-Map, welcomed the new installations; and spoke of the importance of making a diversity of charging speeds available. She said, “EV charging use cases are diverse and we need a diversity of charge speeds to match. Ultra-rapid chargers, which can add over 100 miles of range in minutes, are a crucial area of investment because they make long journeys easier”.
She added, “EV sales are taking off, so the fact that ultra-rapid chargers are keeping step with sales great news for EV drivers old and new, who might be concerned about range anxiety”.
Whilst the new rapid chargers are welcomed news, the nation has a long way to go. A recent report suggested that the UK will need an extra 661,000 charge points in order to deal with the rising number of electric vehicles on the road network.
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