UK on track for 170,000 public chargers by 2030, falling short of earlier 300,000 target
By Eve
New projections indicate the UK will deploy 170,000 public electric vehicle chargers by the end of the decade, well below the 300,000 minimum target set by the previous Conservative government in its 2022 infrastructure strategy. As of January 2026, the UK network comprised 116,729 chargers across 88,513 devices at 45,242 locations, with 677 units added in the month. Industry observers cite slower than expected EV adoption and concerns over charging reliability and vehicle affordability as factors behind the shortfall.
Why it matters
The revised forecast signals a slower public charging rollout than CPOs and site hosts anticipated under earlier policy guidance, potentially affecting investment timelines and site acquisition strategies. Procurement teams may face less competitive pressure in the near term, though persistent infrastructure gaps could still drive targeted tenders in underserved regions.
Source
- Original title
- “UK to miss 2030 electric car goals with drivers issued chargepoint warning”
- Published
- 5 April 2026 (date approximate)
- Updated
- 22 September 2026
In this story
- Topic
- Policy & Market
- Place
- United Kingdom
Related news
UK ZEHID programme reports 172 electric HGVs have covered 3.6 million kilometres, but grid connection remains key barrier
The UK Government's Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme, backed by over £200 million and run with Innovate UK, has published its annual report showing 172 funded battery electric trucks across 35 operators have travelled 3.6 million kilometres and carried 550,000 tonnes of cargo, cutting 4,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions. Three projects within ZEHID (Electric Freightway, eFreight 2030 and ZENFreight) are now in live commercial operation with trucks from six manufacturers, though a fourth hydrogen focused project, HyHAUL, was cancelled last year. The report identifies charging infrastructure as the main bottleneck, with grid connection times and costs varying significantly, while the UK still lags behind countries such as Germany in eHGV market share.
Why it matters
For charge point operators and infrastructure developers, the report confirms that grid connection challenges remain the primary constraint on scaling depot charging for heavy goods vehicles, a segment requiring high power installations. With over £200 million in government backing and 35 operators now running electric HGVs commercially, the programme signals growing demand for megawatt scale charging solutions despite current grid barriers.
Euro 7 emissions rules may force UK fleets to choose between compliance and faster EV switch, warns Dawsongroup
The UK Government is consulting on adopting Euro 7 emissions standards, which take effect from November 2026 for new light commercial vehicle models and May 2028 for heavy goods vehicles. The rules regulate particulates from brake and tyre wear as well as exhaust emissions, extend compliance periods to ten years or 200,000 kilometres (double the current requirement), and mandate onboard monitoring systems for real time emissions tracking. Simon Ridley, managing director at Dawsongroup vans, said the timing presents a difficult choice for fleet operators already under pressure, potentially forcing them to decide between meeting new compliance standards or accelerating their transition to electric vans.
Why it matters
Fleet operators facing Euro 7 compliance costs may accelerate electric van procurement instead, potentially driving demand for charging infrastructure at depot and destination sites. The extended compliance period and monitoring requirements could make diesel and petrol LCVs less attractive compared to electric alternatives, influencing the scale and timing of fleet electrification projects across the UK market.
South Korea unveils 747 billion dollar green industrial strategy with full transport electrification
South Korea's Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment has announced a KRW1,000 trillion (US$747 billion) Korean Green Transformation industrial strategy, presented at a national briefing on 7 October in Seoul. The plan commits to electrifying all transportation, including public buses, motorcycles, construction equipment, ports and vessels, with reformed EV subsidies accounting for local renewable energy production. South Korea's registered EV fleet exceeded one million vehicles (1.095 million) as of end June, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
Why it matters
The 747 billion dollar commitment signals massive procurement opportunities across charging infrastructure for diverse vehicle types, from buses to construction equipment and port machinery. Regional initiatives like Jeju's 2035 full electrification target will require extensive charging networks, creating near term tendering activity for CPOs and equipment suppliers.