The UK’s electric vehicle (EV) charging network has expanded by 23% in the past year, adding more than 15,000 new chargepoints and bringing the total to 86,021 across Britain, government figures show.

A new charger is now being installed every 33 minutes, with over 17,356 rapid and ultra-rapid chargers capable of charging a vehicle to 80% in 20 to 40 minutes. The growth makes it easier for drivers to travel longer distances and reduces the cost of driving compared with petrol.

Minister for Decarbonisation, Keir Mather said: "There’s never been a better time to go electric – chargepoints are up 23% in a year, and we’re helping drivers save with discounts of up to £3,750 on new electric cars, all part of our Plan for Change. We’re also cutting red tape so renters and those without driveways can access affordable home charging, making it easier and cheaper for everyone to make the switch."

The expansion follows the launch of the £650 million Electric Car Grant, which has already helped more than 25,000 drivers switch to electric vehicles, offering discounts of up to £3,750 on 39 models.

Between October 2024 and October 2025, public EV chargepoints in England outside London grew by 23.4%, while London saw a 21.7% increase. More than 6,000 open-access rapid and ultra-rapid chargers are now located within one mile of the Strategic Road Network, including motorways and major A-roads.

The network has more than quadrupled in the last three years, supporting longer journeys and wider adoption of electric vehicles. Growth is particularly strong in Yorkshire and the Humber, Wales, the West Midlands, and the East of England, allowing drivers to charge at destinations such as York Minster, Caerphilly Castle, and Norwich Cathedral.

The government has also announced plans to cut red tape for home charger installation, targeting renters and households without driveways. Potential changes could save drivers £250 in planning fees and allow more households to run an EV for as little as 2p per mile, equivalent to £2.50 for a journey from London to Birmingham.

Additional support includes a £25 million scheme to help councils install cross-pavement channels for households without driveways, alongside a £381 million investment to deliver 100,000 more public chargepoints across England.

"The EV charging industry is pulling out all the stops to help drivers go electric, investing billions of private capital into high-quality charging — supporting the government’s ambitions for growth and decarbonisation in the process. The vast majority of EV drivers use the public networks and an increasing number will be wholly reliant on them. Meaning we need the right mix of affordable and easy to access charging at home and at work, on-street, en-route and at destinations to ensure everyone can make the switch," Vicky Read, Chief Executive, ChargeUK said.