UK’s Ultra-rapid Charge Points Grow
According to research by Zap-Map, the number of ultra-rapid charge points in the UK grew 11% in the first three months of 2022 to 1,434
In the same period, the sales of fully electric vehicles grew by 16%
The total number of EV charging points also grew in Q1 of 2022 with 30,409 across 19,150 locations.
Rapid Charging
The 100+ kW DC ultra-rapid chargers were the fastest speed category of growth with 162 new devices (net 144) while there were also 250 new DC rapid chargers (25 to 99kW) installed (net 189), bringing the total rapid or ultra-rapid chargers available across the UK to 5,500.
Rapid chargers account for less than 20% of charge points but makeup around 60% of the available power capacity. Rapid chargers are essential for high-speed top-ups.
Net new charge point installations by power rating Q1 2022
| Q1 2022 | End 2021 | Growth | |
| Slow chargers (3-6kW) | 708 | 7247 | 9.8% |
| Fast chargers (7-24kW) | 910 | 16047 | 5.7% |
| Rapid chargers (25-99kW) | 189 | 3874 | 4.9% |
| Ultra-rapid chargers (100kW+) | 144 | 1290 | 11.2% |
| Total | 1951 | 28458 | 6.9% |
What does this mean for Shell EV customers?
Gridserve has been busy upgrading the legacy Ecotricity chargers, replacing the old units with newer technology, and often adding greater numbers with more units at each location.
| NEW Q1 2022 | End 2021 | Growth | |
| Gridserve Electric Highway | 63 | 239 | 26.3% |
Is electric charging still cheaper than petrol?
As energy prices rise, the cost of charging on the public network is also increasing.
| Petrol | Diesel | Electric | |
| Fuel Price | £1.63 per litre | £1.77 per litre | 44p per kWh |
| Cost per mile | 20p | 18p | 13p |
Comment
Melanie Shufflebotham, co-founder and COO of Zap-Map, said:
“EV charging use cases are diverse and we need a diversity of charge speeds to match. Ultra-rapid chargers, which can add over 100 miles of range in minutes, are a crucial area of investment because they make long journeys easier. EV sales are taking off, so the fact that ultra-rapid chargers are keeping step with sales great news for EV drivers old and new, who might be concerned about range anxiety.”
Useful Links
To find out more about the Shell EV card click here – https://www.cambriancards.com/shell-electric-vehicle-cards/
UK’s Ultra-rapid Charge Points Grow