UK: EV charging sites outnumber petrol stations for first time - Sensationalist Headlines

New figures from Zap-Map reveal the extent of the UK’s electric vehicle revolution, with the number of public charging locations now surpassing petrol stations for the first time. Data from Zap-Map shows that as of 22 May, there are 8,471 charging locations across the UK, hosting a total of 13,613 charging devices. In contrast, as of the end of April, there are currently only 8,400 petrol stations in the UK, a figure which is continuing to decline. There has been huge growth in the UK public EV charge point market in the past 12 months, with the number of locations increasing 57% in that time. Charging points can now be found across the length and breadth of the country, from the Shetland Islands to the Cornish Riviera, from Giant’s Causeway to the White Cliffs of Dover. https://www.zap-map.com/ev-charging-sites-outnumber-petrol-stations-for-first-time/

It's way easier to stick a bank of, like, 5 EV chargers in a parking lot at a mall than a petrol pump. Way less regulation too, and way cheaper.

Considering cars need to be hooked up way longer compared to a 5min refuel its a good trend that should continue if electric cars get more popular.

Yeah, they're pretty much just a plug connected to a power supply, they can be placed anywhere unlike petrol stations that have to be in specific spots due to dangerous gases and flammable liquids.

Very misleading. An average petrol station can service what, 8 cars at a time? 8400 petrol stations, x 8 = 67200 "refueling devices" compared to 13613 charging devices. Furthermore, refueling is a lot faster.

While that's true, said charging devices aren't the total picture. Most people charge at home or at work, and don't have to go fuel up all the time. Sure some people do rely on the public network entirely, and no doubt we will need more chargers but the majority won't be using the charging network every week. Even in my Leaf I only use public chargers every couple of months.

I can't imagine relying entirely on the public charging network here for an EV. It's just logistically impossible.

Does anyone though? I mean the ability to just plop your car into your wall socket is half the appeal

A few people do, and it will become more viable with longer range EVs, and more common as they get cheaper. I don't think it's really viable with a Leaf but with a long range Model 3 getting 320 miles, or the new Model S getting 370 it's doable. That being said I've heard of people doing it with the older Leaf, but I don't think I'd like it.

It won't be viable until EVs get cheaper with that kind of range. If I could afford a $150K car I'd just get a $50k one instead and put a down-payment on a house. No matter how much range a Tesla gets, at its pricepoint there's no incentive for me to get it rather than a traditional gas car or a PHEV.

The long-range Model 3 is 61K canadian $, not 150K.

And the long-range Model S (600KM versus 500KM on the Model 3) is actually only $110K, but still, that's expensive as fuck. My $17,000 Focus gets 600KM on a tank. There's also a wait list several months, if not years, long for the 3.

In the USA and Canada if you order now the ETA on Model 3 is two weeks. The new superchargers will get a Model 3 to 80% in about 25 minutes.

Pfff, you rich snobs and your new Focuseseses I'm lucky to have an A3 from 15 years ago, my mom has one from 19 years ago, and my dad has a fuckin' PUNTO get on my poverty levels .... But seriously now... Either I resort to buying a Leaf and be depressed whenever I have to drive it, or... Well, thats it. Literaly no other way around.

Eventually self driving cars are just going to "dock" in parking lots by connecting directly to a charging station in front of the space, so you'd run your electrical in line with the lights you'd likely have in said lot.