Electric car chargers in the UK are rolling out slower than ever before, with only 13,500 new installations from October to November this year. That’s a far cry from the rapid pace of growth we’ve seen over recent years.
Key Takeaways
- The UK has installed just 87,200 electric car chargers by end-October, marking the slowest annual growth since 2022.
- Carmakers have persuaded the government to ease EV sales targets despite a growing market share for electric cars in Britain.
- A new pay-per-mile tax on electric vehicles from 2028 is causing investor concerns and may hamper charger installation investments.
It’s not just about the numbers. The UK government’s decision to weaken its zero-emission vehicle mandate has raised eyebrows among industry experts, who fear this could slow down EV sales even further. Colin Walker from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit isn’t alone in his worries; many are concerned that these changes will undermine consumer confidence.
As of November 2025, there were still over 48,100 slow chargers installed across Britain, but this growth rate is slowing down. It’s a stark contrast to the rapid expansion seen just last year when installations grew by nearly double that amount in one year.
The new pay-per-mile tax on electric vehicles announced at the budget could be a real for how people perceive EVs. While it’s true that EVs are still cheaper to run overall, this additional cost might make some hesitant about switching from their gas guzzlers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many electric car chargers were installed in the UK by end-2025?
The number stands at 87,200 as of November 2025.
Why is there a slowdown in charger installations despite growing EV sales?
Carmakers have successfully lobbied for weaker targets and investor concerns over the new tax on electric vehicles may be contributing to this slower growth rate.
The future of electric cars in Britain seems uncertain right now. But with continued innovation and supportive policies, it’s still possible we could see a resurgence in charger installations soon enough.
