The UK's rollout of electric car chargers has slowed markedly in 2025, with the smallest number of new installations since 2022, according to data from Zapmap. Only 13,500 chargers were added in the first 11 months, bringing the total to 87,200, representing growth of less than 20%—down from 37% the previous year.
Industry experts attribute the slowdown to mixed government signals on electric vehicles, including a new pay-per-mile tax from 2028 and a weakening of the zero emission vehicle mandate. Colin Walker of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit warned these measures could undermine consumer confidence and slow EV sales, which in turn would deter investment in charging infrastructure.
While ultra-rapid chargers saw a 39% increase to around 9,800, slow charger installations lagged. ChargeUK chief executive Vicky Read cited rising costs and grid connection delays as key obstacles. She noted that delayed local electric vehicle infrastructure funding for councils is expected to arrive in 2026 and 2027, potentially accelerating installations.
Regional disparities remain stark: London has 301 public chargers per 100,000 people, compared to just 39 in Northern Ireland. Despite the slowdown, some analysts believe the UK's charger rollout is still ahead of demand by 1.5 years, with motorway rapid chargers sufficient for six years of projected demand.
