As the UK accelerates toward a more sustainable future, with the government targeting 2030 for the ban on new petrol and diesel car sales, the trajectory for electric vehicle (EV) adoption appears promising. However, with the planned rollout of infrastructure over the next two years, supported by the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund, it’s crucial to ask: Where are we now?
Vauxhall and Cenex’s latest report, Are We Nearly There Yet?, evaluates the current progress in the UK’s EV transition. While the report celebrates the strides made, it also highlights potential roadblocks ahead.
With the number of public charge points doubling from 30,000 to 60,000 in just two years - a major UK milestone that char.gy is proud to be part of - EV infrastructure deployment is certainly accelerating. However, a key takeaway from the report is that installing charge points in the right locations remains a critical challenge for achieving a nationwide transition.
Despite impressive growth, many consumers and businesses still express concerns about “charging anxiety,” especially regarding the accessibility of public charging infrastructure.
Some concerns may arise from perception bias or negative media influence, but the call for a stronger data-driven approach to ensure that infrastructure truly meets demand is well-founded. The report draws attention to the limitations of traditional metrics, such as the number of charge points per 100,000 people or per electric vehicle (EV) and introduces the Near Home Charging Index - a more precise and actionable way to measure public EV infrastructure success. This index considers the quantity of charge points, their distribution in proximity to residential homes and the demand for on-street charging.
It’s not just about increasing the number of charge points - it’s about placing them where they are most needed. This is a sentiment strongly echoed by char.gy.
Key findings from the report include:
The Near Home Charging Index shows that, while national supply is currently a few months ahead of demand, significant regional disparities remain.
Only 19% of households in Great Britain that need access to public charge points are located near one.
Scotland and Wales are ahead of England in terms of supply relative to demand, although England performs better in charge point distribution.
Certain local authorities, like Camden, excel, with 93% of households within a four-minute walk of a charge point.
Outside London, Brighton and Hove lead in providing proximity to charge points for households dependent on public charging.
Strategic positioning of charge points is critical for alleviating charging anxiety for the 40% of households without access to home charging. Getting this right is key to encouraging consumers to switch to EVs - and to stick with their choice. At char.gy, we conduct our own in-depth analysis to ensure our charge points are deployed where consumers need them most.
We’ve developed an in-house tool that leverages Machine Learningto map anticipated demand across the UK, using data from our extensive, long-standing network. This allows us to forecast future EV demand down to the postcode level, enabling us to serve communities more effectively and make confident, commercially sustainable choices.
Specifically, by identifying areas likely to experience strong demand, we can subsidise those where growth may be slower, to ensure the benefits of electric vehicles are shared as widely as possible.
While encouraging EV adoption isn't solely dependent on reducing charging anxiety, and strategic placement of charge points won’t address all consumer concerns, it remains a crucial next step. Advanced data mapping to optimise charging provision is key, and metrics like the Near Home Charging Index, which focuses on proximity to residential areas, offer a more effective way to measure success. As we move forward with the LEVI rollout, strategically tackling barriers one by one is crucial to building the infrastructure needed to drive adoption, ensure equitable access, and sustainably meet future demand.
To read the full report visit Vauxhalls website.