Skip advert
Advertisement

ChargeUK aims to double UK’s public EV charging network by end of 2023

New trade body calls for action on planning issues and VAT to speed up public charger deployment

Rapid charger

Twenty of the UK’s leading electric car chargepoint providers have teamed up to form a new trade body ‘ChargeUK’, and they’ve pledged to double the number of public chargers in the UK by the end of 2023.

The initiative will be funded from a £6 billion private investment pot destined to be spent on UK charging infrastructure by 2030, with some of the main participants including GRIDSERVE, bp pulse, Ionity and Pod Point.

“Our intention is to, as one voice, reassure the public that the charging infrastructure they all want is not only coming, but is being deployed today,” said CEO of charging provider Osprey and chair of ChargeUK, Ian Johnston. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

According to electric car charging website ZapMap, there are currently over 40,000 public charge points in the UK.

“If you look at the projects that we’re developing today among members [of ChargeUK], that alone is enough to double the size of the charging network – and we’ll build them, as soon as the system allows us to,” Johnston told Auto Express.

“There’s so much more we want the government to do [such as] removing the barriers around planning around highways… we also look forward to working with the government on VAT and making it equitable for all whether you have a driveway to charge on, or not.”

The Minister for Decarbonisation and Technology, Jesse Norman, welcomed the formation of the new trade body, stating that “[it] shows how industry working together, alongside the Government, can release private investment, improve delivery, raise standards and promote the use of electric vehicle charging infrastructure for drivers across the country”.

With the 2030 ban on sales of petrol and diesel-powered vehicles rapidly approaching, charging infrastructure is becoming ever more important. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) already claims that there are now over a million electric vehicles on UK roads, with numbers growing as more affordable models are introduced to the market.

Read our complete guide to the big questions around electric cars...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Consumer reporter

Tom is Auto Express' Consumer reporter, meaning he spends his time investigating the stories that matter to all motorists - enthusiasts or otherwise. An ex-BBC journalist and Multimedia Journalism graduate, Tom previously wrote for partner sites Carbuyer and DrivingElectric and you may also spot him throwing away his dignity by filming videos for the Auto Express social media channels.

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025
Ford Fiesta to return? Icon could be reborn as re-nosed Volkswagen ID.2
Ford Fiesta facelift - front cornering

Ford Fiesta to return? Icon could be reborn as re-nosed Volkswagen ID.2

VW’s sales and marketing boss considers Ford tech share “very successful” – and won’t rule out future projects
News
30 Apr 2025