There will be more public EV charging locations than petrol stations by August 2020 according to market analysis by leading electric vehicle manufacturer Nissan.
Using information from Zap-Map – and the Energy Institute – for charging locations and fuel stations respectively – expectations are that in four year’s time EV’s will have an easier time than petrol or diesel cars in finding a refuelling point.
You can find up-to-date information on charging points at the Zap-Map Statistics page.
Nissan’s workings are based on the fact that petrol stations continue to close, with less than 25 per cent open compared to four decades ago, while charging points continue to be installed across the country.
At the end of 2015, there were 8,472 fuel stations open in the UK – down from 37,539 in 1970. Nissan has assumed a steady rate of decline, which will see that number fall to less than 7,870 by August 2020. Considering that there were 3,646 charging points at the same point – with more than 4,100 today – when compared to 913 at the end of 2012, the upwards trajectory for charge points and decline of the petrol station are set to meet in 2020.
Edward Jones, EV Manager, Nissan Motor (GB) Ltd, said: “As electric vehicle sales take off, the charging infrastructure is keeping pace and paving the way for convenient all-electric driving. Combine that with constant improvements in our battery performance and we believe the tipping point for mass EV uptake is upon us.
“As with similar breakthrough technologies, the adoption of electric vehicles should follow an ‘S-curve’ of demand. A gradual uptake from early adopters accelerates to a groundswell of consumers buying electric vehicles just as they would any other powertrain.”
While the majority of charging is down at the home and work, public charging points are crucial to everyday EV use too. Around 98 per cent of the UK motorway network is covered with charge points as service stations, and new units are being installed all the time.
Nissan is already looking ahead to a time when EVs are the dominant force in the UK car market with its Fuel Station of the Future concept, while EVs become increasingly popular thanks in part to increased battery capacities allowing for greater ranges.
| Date: fact and forecast – | UK fuel stations – | UK charging locations – |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 8,693 | 913 |
| 2013 | 8,611 | 1,962 |
| 2014 | 8,609 | 2,775 |
| 2015 | 8,472 | 3,646 |
| – | – | – |
| Dec ’19 | 7,955 | 7,290 |
| Feb ’20 | 7,933 | 7,442 |
| Apr ’20 | 7,912 | 7,594 |
| Jun ’20 | 7,890 | 7,746 |
| Aug ’20 | 7,869 | 7,898 |
Above table sourced from Nissan’s research and forecasts using data from Zap-Map and the Energy Institute in relation to petrol station and charging point locations
Click here to find existing EV charging points
