Explainer: EVs & charging ecosystems — what it is, why it matters, and how to evaluate options

As of January 2025, the United Kingdom operates over 73,000 public electric vehicle charging points across more than 44,000 locations—a 37% increase from the previous year—yet nearly one in five drivers still reports anxiety about finding a working charger when needed. This paradox of growing infrastructure alongside persistent reliability concerns encapsulates the central challenge facing the UK's electric vehicle transition: building not just more chargers, but a cohesive, dependable, and economically sustainable charging ecosystem that supports the government's ambitious target of phasing out new petrol and diesel car sales by 2035.

Why It Matters

The electrification of transport represents one of the most consequential decarbonisation pathways available to the United Kingdom. Road transport accounts for approximately 24% of the UK's total greenhouse gas emissions, with passenger vehicles contributing the largest share. The transition to electric vehicles offers a direct mechanism to eliminate tailpipe emissions from this sector, but the success of this transition hinges entirely on the reliability and accessibility of charging infrastructure.

The 2024-2025 period has marked a pivotal inflection point. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), battery electric vehicles captured 19.6% of new car registrations in 2024, up from 16.5% in 2023. This acceleration means approximately 1.2 million fully electric cars now operate on UK roads, each requiring regular access to charging facilities. The National Grid ESO projects this figure will reach 10 million by 2030 and 30 million by 2035, necessitating a commensurate expansion in charging capacity.

The economics are equally compelling. The Department for Transport estimates that a fully electrified vehicle fleet could save the NHS between £1.6 billion and £3.8 billion annually in reduced air pollution-related healthcare costs. For fleet operators, the total cost of ownership for EVs has reached parity with internal combustion equivalents in many use cases, with electricity costs per mile running 40-60% lower than petrol equivalents even after recent energy price volatility.

However, the challenge extends beyond mere charger installation. Utilisation rates at public chargers average only 15-20% nationally, meaning significant capital remains underutilised. Simultaneously, demand charges—the fees electricity networks impose based on peak power draw—can constitute 30-50% of a charge point operator's electricity bill, fundamentally distorting the business case for high-powered rapid charging. Network interoperability remains fragmented, with drivers often requiring multiple apps and accounts to access different charging networks, creating friction that undermines user experience and adoption rates.

Key Concepts

Electric Vehicles (EVs) encompass battery electric vehicles (BEVs), which run exclusively on electricity stored in onboard batteries, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), which combine electric motors with conventional engines. For infrastructure planning purposes, BEVs present the primary challenge as they depend entirely on charging access, whereas PHEVs retain petrol station compatibility.

Charging Infrastructure Tiers refer to the classification of chargers by power output. Slow chargers (3-7 kW) typically serve residential and workplace applications, adding 15-30 miles of range per hour. Fast chargers (7-22 kW) suit destination charging at retail and leisure venues, providing 60-80 miles per hour. Rapid chargers (50-150 kW) and ultra-rapid chargers (>150 kW) enable en-route charging, delivering 100-200 miles in 20-30 minutes, essential for replicating the convenience of petrol stations.

Demand Charges and Connection Costs represent the fees levied by distribution network operators (DNOs) for the infrastructure capacity required to support high-power charging. These charges reflect the peak power demand a site can draw, regardless of actual usage, creating a significant fixed cost burden that distorts operator economics and often discourages installation of higher-capacity chargers in areas where grid reinforcement would be required.

Network Interoperability describes the ability of EV drivers to access and pay for charging across different operator networks seamlessly. The Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) provides a technical standard for charger-to-network communication, while roaming agreements (similar to mobile phone roaming) enable cross-network access. The UK government has mandated that all new rapid chargers must offer contactless payment by January 2025, addressing one dimension of this challenge.

Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) for EV charging encompasses the protocols for tracking electricity consumption, carbon intensity, and operational performance across charging networks. Robust MRV enables fleet operators to verify emissions reductions for sustainability reporting, supports grid operators in managing demand, and provides regulators with data to assess infrastructure effectiveness.

Building Codes and Retrofit Requirements refer to regulatory mandates governing EV charging provision in new and existing buildings. The UK's Building Regulations Part S, effective since June 2022, requires new homes with parking to include EV charging points and new non-residential buildings to provide charging infrastructure proportional to parking provision. Retrofit obligations under the proposed Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards and Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard will progressively extend requirements to existing building stock.

What's Working and What Isn't

What's Working

Destination charging deployment has accelerated significantly, with supermarkets, retail parks, and hospitality venues recognising charging as a competitive differentiator. Gridserve's Electric Highway network has upgraded over 100 motorway service area locations with reliable, high-powered chargers following its acquisition of Ecotricity's network. Reliability rates at these professionally managed sites consistently exceed 95%, compared to the national average of approximately 91%.

Workplace charging incentive schemes have proven effective in driving adoption. The government's Workplace Charging Scheme, providing up to £350 per socket for eligible employers, has supported installation of over 50,000 workplace charge points since inception. This addresses the critical "charging at work" segment for the 40% of UK households lacking off-street parking, enabling daytime charging during periods of often lower grid demand and higher renewable generation.

Smart charging adoption is gaining traction, with technology platforms demonstrating the ability to shift charging demand in response to grid conditions and electricity prices. Octopus Energy's Intelligent Octopus programme now manages over 200,000 EVs, automatically optimising charging times to minimise costs and maximise renewable energy use. Participants typically achieve 30-40% reductions in charging costs while providing valuable flexibility services to the grid.

What Isn't Working

Reliability and maintenance remain problematic across significant portions of the public network. The Competition and Markets Authority found that 8% of UK public chargers were out of service at any given time in 2024, with rates significantly higher for older, slower units. The absence of standardised reliability reporting requirements until recently meant operators faced limited accountability for maintaining equipment.

Demand charge structures create perverse incentives that discourage the installation of high-powered chargers in precisely the locations where they would be most valuable. A 350 kW ultra-rapid charger can face annual demand charges exceeding £25,000 regardless of utilisation, making the business case unviable unless throughput reaches levels that may take years to achieve as EV adoption grows. The government's announced review of network charging methodology has not yet yielded reforms.

Rural and residential charging gaps persist, with public charger density in rural areas remaining 60% lower than in urban centres despite rural residents' greater dependence on private vehicles. For the 8 million UK households without dedicated parking, dependable access to on-street charging remains inadequate. Council-led lamp post charging initiatives have shown promise but require streamlined procurement and maintenance frameworks to scale effectively.

Key Players

Established Leaders

BP Pulse operates over 9,000 public charge points in the UK, having invested heavily in high-powered hub locations following its acquisition of Chargemaster. The company has committed £1 billion to UK charging infrastructure through 2030.

Pod Point, majority-owned by EDF, has installed over 250,000 charge points across home, workplace, and public sectors, making it one of the UK's largest operators by total install base. Its integrated software platform provides fleet management and smart charging capabilities.

Gridserve has distinguished itself through premium motorway service area installations featuring reliable ultra-rapid chargers, comfortable waiting facilities, and solar canopy integration. Its Electric Forecourt concept aims to reimagine the refuelling experience for the electric era.

Shell Recharge leverages Shell's extensive forecourt network to deploy rapid chargers at existing petrol station locations, offering convenience for drivers familiar with traditional refuelling patterns. The company operates over 15,000 charge points across Europe.

IONITY, a joint venture of major automotive manufacturers including BMW, Ford, Hyundai, Mercedes, and Volkswagen Group, operates high-powered charging corridors across UK motorways with standardised 350 kW equipment designed for next-generation vehicles.

Emerging Startups

Connected Kerb specialises in on-street charging solutions for local authorities, having secured contracts with over 40 councils. Its integrated approach covers installation, operation, and maintenance, addressing the capability gap many councils face.

Osprey Charging focuses on destination and retail charging, differentiating through premium customer experience and 100% renewable electricity supply. The company operates over 900 rapid chargers across 200 UK locations.

Electric Miles provides fleet electrification consulting and charging infrastructure solutions specifically designed for commercial operators transitioning vehicle fleets, addressing the complex operational requirements of business users.

Bonnet offers a consumer-focused roaming platform that aggregates access to multiple charging networks through a single app, directly addressing the interoperability challenge and providing EV drivers with simplified multi-network access.

ev.energy develops smart charging software that optimises home and fleet charging based on grid carbon intensity and electricity prices, enabling consumers and businesses to minimise both costs and carbon footprint.

Key Investors & Funders

The UK Infrastructure Bank has designated EV charging as a priority investment sector, providing debt and equity financing to support network expansion with a particular focus on addressing geographic gaps.

Gresham House, through its New Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure strategies, has deployed over £200 million into UK EV charging infrastructure, backing operators including Connected Kerb.

Legal & General Capital has invested significantly in charging infrastructure as part of its broader clean energy portfolio, recognising the long-term infrastructure characteristics of the asset class.

Zouk Capital, through its Low Carbon Fund, has provided growth capital to multiple UK charging operators, supporting scale-up of proven business models.

The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV), while a government body rather than investor, channels substantial public funding through grants including the LEVI Fund (£400 million for local authority charging) and on-street residential charging scheme.

Examples

Transport for London's Rapid Charging Network demonstrates effective public sector leadership in charging deployment. TfL has facilitated installation of over 600 rapid chargers across London, prioritising locations serving taxi and private hire fleets. Utilisation data shows these chargers average 8-12 charging sessions daily, well above national averages, reflecting strategic siting in high-demand areas. The programme has supported electrification of over 6,000 London taxis, with associated air quality benefits measurable in reduced nitrogen dioxide concentrations.

Dundee City Council's Comprehensive Approach exemplifies integrated municipal strategy. Having installed over 400 public charge points—one of the highest per-capita ratios in the UK—Dundee combines infrastructure with fleet electrification, renewable generation, and demand management. The council's electric vehicle fleet saves approximately £120,000 annually in fuel costs while avoiding 400 tonnes of CO2 emissions. A dedicated EV charging hub powered by solar canopies demonstrates the circular economy potential.

National Grid's Charge Collective Pilot addresses the fundamental grid constraint challenge. This programme, operational across multiple DNO regions, enables community-scale charging solutions in areas where individual connections would be prohibitively expensive. By aggregating demand and sharing connection costs, the pilot has enabled installation of charging infrastructure serving over 30 residential locations previously deemed unviable. Early results suggest 35-45% reduction in per-charger connection costs.

Action Checklist

• Conduct a comprehensive site assessment including grid connection capacity, expected utilisation patterns, and user demographics before specifying charging equipment
• Engage with your Distribution Network Operator early in planning to understand connection timelines, costs, and any reinforcement requirements
• Evaluate total cost of ownership including demand charges, maintenance, and software licensing rather than focusing solely on hardware acquisition costs
• Require OCPP 2.0 compliance in procurement specifications to ensure future interoperability and avoid vendor lock-in
• Implement smart charging capabilities from the outset to manage demand, reduce electricity costs, and provide grid flexibility services
• Establish clear reliability standards and maintenance response time requirements in operator contracts, with financial penalties for underperformance
• Develop a data strategy for tracking utilisation, reliability, and energy consumption to inform ongoing optimisation and reporting
• Consider accessibility requirements including wheelchair-accessible bays, clear signage, and adequate lighting to ensure inclusive provision
• Plan for future capacity expansion by installing electrical infrastructure capable of supporting additional chargers without major civil works
• Engage with workplace charging schemes and available grant funding to reduce capital costs and improve project economics

FAQ

Q: How do demand charges affect the economics of public EV charging, and what can operators do to mitigate their impact? A: Demand charges are levied based on peak power draw from the grid, typically measured over 15-30 minute intervals. For high-powered rapid chargers, these can constitute 30-50% of electricity costs, significantly impacting profitability at lower utilisation rates. Mitigation strategies include battery buffer systems that store energy during off-peak periods and discharge during charging sessions, reducing peak grid draw; smart load management across multiple chargers to stagger peak demand; and co-location with solar generation or other on-site renewables. Some operators negotiate maximum import capacity agreements with DNOs that cap demand charges in exchange for committed volumes. The ongoing Ofgem Access and Forward-Looking Charges review may introduce reforms that better align charging structures with actual grid costs.

Q: What reliability standards should organisations require when procuring EV charging infrastructure? A: Best practice procurement should specify minimum uptime guarantees of 97-99%, with clear definitions of how uptime is measured (e.g., excluding planned maintenance windows). Contracts should include maximum response times for fault repair—typically 24 hours for rapid chargers and 48 hours for slower units—with financial penalties for breaches. Remote monitoring and diagnostics capabilities are essential, enabling operators to identify issues proactively. Hardware should carry minimum 3-5 year warranties, with particular attention to cable and connector durability as these components experience highest wear. The Public Charge Point Regulations 2023 now mandate reliability data reporting for operators with 100+ rapid chargers, providing benchmarks for comparison.

Q: How is the UK addressing the challenge of EV charging access for residents without off-street parking? A: Multiple approaches are being deployed simultaneously. The Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund provides £400 million through 2025 for councils to install on-street charging. Lamp post charging solutions, pioneered by companies like Ubitricity (now Shell), enable cost-effective deployment using existing street furniture. Dedicated on-street charging bays with cable gulleys protect pedestrians from trip hazards while enabling residents to charge from home electricity supplies. Community charging hubs provide shared facilities in residential areas. Planning reforms now require consideration of EV charging in all new developments. However, gaps remain significant—current on-street provision serves fewer than 3% of the 8 million households needing this solution.

Q: What role does vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology play in EV charging ecosystem development? A: V2G enables EVs to discharge stored energy back to the grid during peak demand periods, potentially transforming vehicles from simple consumers into distributed energy assets. The UK currently leads in V2G trials, with projects operated by National Grid, Octopus Energy, and OVO demonstrating technical feasibility. Participating EV owners can earn £300-800 annually from energy trading. However, barriers include limited compatible vehicle models (primarily Nissan Leaf and selected commercial vehicles currently support V2G), higher-cost bidirectional chargers, and unresolved questions about battery warranty implications. Vehicle-to-Home (V2H), which uses EV batteries for household backup power, may achieve earlier mainstream adoption due to simpler implementation requirements.

Q: How should organisations approach measuring and reporting the carbon impact of EV charging? A: Effective carbon accounting requires tracking both the quantity of electricity consumed and its carbon intensity at time of consumption. Smart charging systems can log when energy is drawn, enabling calculation of actual rather than average grid carbon intensity—particularly valuable given UK grid carbon intensity varies by factor of 3-4x between peak and overnight periods. For sustainability reporting under frameworks such as SECR, TCFD, or CDP, organisations should document scope 2 emissions from charging, distinguishing between location-based (grid average) and market-based (supplier-specific) accounting. Procurement of renewable electricity through REGO-backed tariffs or on-site generation enables zero-carbon claims. Fleet operators should integrate charging data with vehicle telematics to calculate lifecycle emissions reductions compared to fossil fuel baselines.

Sources

• Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), "EV and AFV Registrations," January 2025
• Competition and Markets Authority, "Electric Vehicle Charging Market Study: Final Report," 2024
• National Grid ESO, "Future Energy Scenarios 2024"
• Zap-Map, "UK EV Charging Statistics," January 2025
• Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV), "Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy," 2024
• Ofgem, "Access and Forward-Looking Charges Significant Code Review," 2024-2025
• Department for Transport, "Decarbonising Transport: A Better, Greener Britain," 2021
• Public Charge Point Regulations 2023, UK Statutory Instruments