Electric vehicle chargers in motorway fast lane
A survey by Zapmap has reported a 51% increase in 150kW+ electric vehicle chargers at motorway service stations in England since the beginning of the year.
According to research carried out in conjunction with the RAC, 200 additional chargers have been installed since January.
This means that 55 of the 114 motorway service stations now have six or more 150kW+ chargers, with many providing chargers that offer the very fastest speeds of up to 350kW. This provides fast charging access to the UK’s 1.7 million EV drivers at 595 individual charge points.
The previous government set a target of six or more high powered 50kW+ chargers at every motorway services areas in England by the end of 2023, and while this has not been achieved the move to faster chargers has eclipsed that ambition, with 73 sites (63%) fitted with at least one ultra-rapid 150kW+ charger.
Meanwhile, there are now six motorway services that have more than 12 150kW+ devices.
Electric vehicle chargers
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “Although the previous government’s target of having six high-powered chargers over 50kW at every motorway services in England was undoubtedly missed, it’s very clear that great progress is being made regardless and, in some locations, the number of chargers provided is now extremely impressive.
“It is particularly encouraging to see so many ultra-rapid chargers being installed, with these representing nearly three-quarters (73%) of all the high-powered devices at motorway services so far this year, up from 54% a year ago.”
Zapmap co-founder and chief operating officer Melanie Shufflebotham said: “We know from our surveys and data that motorway service areas are very popular, convenient charging locations, and as more people make the switch to electric, it is important that there is sufficient visible provision at each and every motorway service area.
“That said, the huge growth of charging hubs, typically very close to key routes, means that EV drivers do not need to solely rely on the motorway service areas, and have a broad range of options from which to choose.”
