• DfT data shows there were 17,947 public electric car charging devices in April
• That compares to 8,046 filling stations in the UK, according to latest figures
• While availability is up, stats show there is ‘uneven geographical distribution‘

There are officially more than twice as many public charge points for electric cars in the UK than there are petrol stations, the Department for Transport has confirmed.

As of 1 April, there were 17,947 public electric vehicle charging devices available in the UK – 3,107, or 17 per cent, of which are rapid devices, the government said.

BP Chargemaster Rapid Charger at Milton Keynes Charging Hub (Image: T. Larkum)

The UK Petroleum Industry Association’s latest figures show there were 8,046 filling stations as the nation.

The figures were published as part of the DfT’s ongoing tracking of public chargers as ministers continue to push motorists to choose electric vehicles to reduce traffic-related air pollution.

The data, provided by Zap-Map, shows that since 2015, the number of public charging devices has grown by 402 per cent.

A charging device is a unit capable of charging the batteries of one or more plug-in electric vehicles simultaneously. There is often more than one device at a location.

Read more: This is Money

It’s Time to Go Green!

If you would like to know more about Solar Panels and the PowerBanx range of home battery systems, and get a free instant quote, please complete our online form: