As the UK prepares for a 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars, the rise in electric vehicle (EV) sales has highlighted the need for improved charging infrastructure.
The team at Right Fuel Card has analysed the UK's EV charging deserts, highlighting the inequality of EV charging across the UK.
As the world moves towards a more sustainable future, and with a ban on new petrol and diesel cars expected in 2030, people are under increasing pressure to reduce their environmental impact. With the sale of new electric vehicles (EVs) on the rise, new data from Fleet News (1) has highlighted the stark contrast between EV charging infrastructure in the UK.
To help keep drivers prepared, the team at Right Fuel Card has analysed the data to highlight the areas of the UK lacking in public EV chargers.
Matthew Briggs, CEO of Right Fuel Card, has also offered his expert thoughts on why the UK needs to invest more in EV charging.
Briggs states: “As more drivers transition to electric vehicles, the demand for accessible, reliable charging infrastructure has increased.”
Expanding the charging network will ease 'range anxiety,' and make EVs a more practical option for both urban and rural areas. Our own internal research also shows that business owners are impacted by EV charging, with 26% of business owners recently stating that better charging infrastructure support would help them transition to electric vehicles
Matthew Briggs CEO of Right Fuel Card
Cities Most In Need of EV Charges
Rank | City | EV Chargers | EV Chargers per 100,000 People | Expected growth between 2025-2030 |
1 | Southampton | 119 | 48 | 56.50% |
2 | Derry | 34 | 39 | 40.40% |
3 | Bristol | 189 | 31 | 29.50% |
4 | Belfast | 180 | 66 | 102.40% |
5 | Wrexham | 118 | 180 | 50.40% |
6 | Wolverhampton | 85 | 34 | 76.40% |
7 | Portsmouth | 183 | 94 | 54.50% |
8 | Kingston upon Hull | 174 | 55 | 88.40% |
9 | Liverpool | 618 | 72 | 98.10% |
10 | Leicester | 195 | 38 | 90.10% |
England
“Data from Stellantis and You (2) shows the areas of the UK suffering from a lack of infrastructure. Southampton ranked lowest on the list, with just 119 chargers available, an equivalent of just 48 per 100,000 people.”
“While this number may seem modest, it highlights the city's current infrastructure challenges in meeting demand for electric vehicles. With the anticipated shift towards EVs in the next few years, the relatively low charger density in Southampton could pose barriers to EV adoption, as drivers face difficulties finding charging stations.”
“Other southern English cities, such as Bristol and Portsmouth, are also suffering from a lack of EV charging spots. Both cities have under 200 EV chargers, while Portsmouth is expected to double the number of available chargers over the next five years, while Bristol is only expected to experience a growth of 29.50%.”
Northern Ireland
“Derry ranks considerably low on the list with just 34 electric vehicle (EV) chargers, far behind larger cities, reflecting a significant gap in charging infrastructure. This translates to only 39 chargers per 100,000 people. In comparison, Belfast, another Northern Irish city, has 180 chargers, or approximately 66 chargers per 100,000 people.”
“While Belfast's higher number of chargers indicates a more robust network for EV users, Derry's lower ranking points to a pressing need for expansion and investment in charging infrastructure.”
Wales
“While still behind most of the UK, Wrexham ranks fifth on the list with 118 electric vehicle (EV) chargers, translating to an impressive 180 chargers per 100,000 people. This relatively high density indicates a strong charging infrastructure compared to other cities on the list, which may make it more convenient for local EV drivers.”
“The city is also projected to see a 50.4% growth in its EV charging network between 2025 and 2030, highlighting ongoing efforts to expand and improve the infrastructure to meet the increasing demand for electric vehicles.”
For more information about Right Fuel Card, please visit: https://www.rightfuelcard.co.uk/business/small-business-fuel-cards
Data
1) https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/cities-with-fastest-electric-vehicle-charging-network-growth
2) https://www.stellantisandyou.co.uk/
About Right Fuel Card
Right Fuel Card is an independent distributor of fuel cards with a mission: simplify the fuel management of businesses across the UK.
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