UK Now Has More Public EV Chargers Than Fuel Pumps, DfT Suggests

The UK’s electric vehicle charging network has reached a major milestone, with new analysis from the Department for Transport (DfT) suggesting there are now more public EV chargers than petrol and diesel fuel pumps nationwide.

According to the DfT, there were over 116,000 publicly available EV chargers across the UK at the start of 2026. By comparison, the department estimates there are around 61,000 fuel pumps, based on the number of petrol stations and average fuelling positions per site.

While the figures rely on estimates rather than a single definitive dataset, the DfT says the comparison highlights the scale of investment made into EV charging infrastructure in recent years.

Unlike fuel pumps, EV chargers are recorded through official statistics, while fuel pump numbers have to be estimated using industry data from the Petrol Retailers Association and research for the RAC Foundation.

The DfT has combined these sources to provide what it describes as a reasonable comparison. The department stresses that EV charger figures are counted by the number of vehicles that can charge at the same time, rather than by site, giving a clearer picture of real‑world charging capacity.

Industry groups have welcomed the milestone as a sign that charging availability is improving. EVA England says the growth in public charging is helping drivers feel more confident about switching to electric vehicles, with many reporting noticeable improvements in the network over the past year.

For fleet operators, the expanding charging network is particularly significant. Public charging plays a key role for drivers who cannot charge at home or who operate over longer distances.

Despite the headline figure, the DfT and industry bodies have been clear that numbers alone are not the full story. Reliability, charger speed, location and ease of use remain critical factors for drivers and businesses considering electric vehicles.

Combined with increased workplace and home charging grants, the growing public network reduces one of the most common barriers to adopting EVs.

However, fleet operators still need to consider charging strategy carefully, balancing depot charging, home charging for drivers and reliable public infrastructure to support daily operations.

Find out more: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/comparing-fuel-pumps-to-electric-vehicle-public-chargers/comparing-fuel-pumps-to-electric-vehicle-public-chargers