The growth of the UK’s public electric vehicle charging network has slowed significantly, with only 5,100 new chargers installed in the first half of 2026. This brings the total to 121,171, representing a 10% increase compared to the same period last year—well below the annual growth rates of over 40% seen in 2024, according to data from Zapmap.
The slowdown comes as charging companies face rising installation costs and political uncertainty over the government’s zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate. The car industry has lobbied for the mandate to be weakened, and the Labour government has already added flexibilities allowing more petrol car sales. It is also considering lowering the 2030 target for EV sales from 80% to as low as 50%.
Jarrod Birch, head of policy at ChargeUK, noted that while the network has doubled in three years and rapid charging is growing fastest, investor hesitation is growing as policy doubts persist. “The mandate has now been argued over for three years, under two governments,” he said. “It is no surprise that investors are hesitating.”
Despite the overall slowdown, ultra-rapid chargers (over 150 kW) saw a 37% year-on-year increase, often installed along motorways for longer journeys. Meanwhile, councils are beginning to roll out on-street chargers funded by the local electric vehicle infrastructure (Levi) scheme, which may encourage more drivers to switch to electric.
The challenging environment for charging firms has led to predictions of consolidation. InstaVolt recently acquired smaller rival GeniePoint, highlighting the trend of stronger players snapping up struggling competitors.
