ChargeUK to invest over £6bn into EV charging infrastructure

Dubbed ChargeUK, the new body is made up of 18 companies - including Shell recharge, bp pulse, GRIDSERVE and Osprey – that are installing the charge points required for the UK’s switch to electric vehicles (EVs). The organisation said it will install thousands of new chargers this year, with the aim of doubling the size of the network through 2023. 

ChargeUK said it will work collaboratively with government and other stakeholders to break down barriers and shape the policies and regulation needed to enable the transition to EVs.

In a statement, Ian Johnston, chair of ChargeUK and CEO of Osprey Charging Network, said, “The formation of ChargeUK is… a demonstration of the electric vehicle charging industry’s growing size and importance to the UK economy.

“Together we are investing billions of pounds to get more charge points in the ground right across the country. These numbers reinforce our commitment to the UK’s Net Zero future.

“We will continue to be a proactive partner to government as we deliver a world-class charging infrastructure, giving the nation’s drivers confidence to transition to electric vehicles.”

According to the Department for Transport, at the start of the year there were 37,055 public electric vehicle charging devices available in the UK. Of these, 6,887 were ‘rapid’ devices and 21,255 were rated ‘fast’ chargers.

“The launch of ChargeUK shows how industry working together, alongside the government, can release private investment, improve delivery, raise standards and promote the use of electric vehicle charging infrastructure for drivers across the country,” said Jesse Norman, transport decarbonisation and technology minister. “Our commitment to decarbonising transport, backed by hundreds of millions in funding, has helped to unlock private sector investment, and the ambitious plans of ChargeUK’s members will support more people than ever make the transition to EVs.”