The rollout of public charging points for electric cars has stalled, according to industry data.
Just 12,322 chargers have been installed so far this year – or 45 a day – compared with 19,834 across 2024 or 54 a day.
The rate of installation is back to 2023 levels, when 16,502 public charging points were built, and it fuels fears that a lack of places for drivers to plug in is hitting demand for electric vehicles (EVs).
Industry experts said the problem is particularly acute for drivers who cannot charge their cars at home – often due to a lack of off-street parking.
A spokesman for the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said: ‘Public charge points are essential for motorists, especially those without a home driveway.’
Worryingly for ministers, in their push to net zero, the pace of the rollout is well below the 130 a day required to reach a goal of having 300,000 public charging points by 2030.
In September, it fell to just 858, or fewer than 29 a day.
In the slow lane: Just 12,322 chargers have been installed so far this year – or 45 a day – compared with 19,834 across 2024 or 54 a day
So-called ‘range anxiety’ – concern among motorists about where they can plug in to top up their batteries while making long journeys – is seen to be holding back the EV revolution.
Price is often cited as the other major reason why drivers are reluctant to buy electric cars.
Ministers this summer launched an Electric Car Grant to provide discounts of up to £3,750 on the purchase of eligible EVs to make them more affordable.
The Government has also announced £65million of investment in ‘at-home charging for households without driveways’ over the summer and a ‘gully scheme’ for EV motorists who have to park on the street.
But the slowing rollout of public charging points threatens to undermine efforts to boost EV sales.
The SMMT spokesman said: ‘The two main barriers to going electric are concerns around vehicle cost and charging.
‘The new Electric Car Grant is helping reduce sticker prices and charging network coverage is improving, but we need to go further, faster.’
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