EV charging on UK roads and motorways in 2025

Public charging stations for electric vehicles keep climbing, by the end of October 2025 the UK had 86,798 public charging points across 44,142 locations. Rapid and ultra-rapid pricing is averaged at 76p/kWh, with slow/fast at 53p/kWh. That translates to roughly 23p per mile on rapid hubs, 16p per mile on slower stations. Coverage on the strategic road network is getting better, as there are now more than 5,500 rapid and ultra-rapid chargers within 1 mile of motorways and major A-roads, and over 1,100 at motorway service areas. Both figures have more than trebled in three years.

Despite this, Government still had targets they wanted to hit but have not met, as they wanted at least 6 ultra-rapid stations at every motorway service area by the end of 2023. By January 2025 only 80 out of 114 sites had met it.

Demand is nudging supply

The ZEV mandate keeps pressure on the system as a whole. Car makers need 28% of their UK car sales to be zero emission in 2025, and 16% for vans, rising each year toward 2035. Although there is flexibility, compliances will keep demand fixed in 1 direction, meaning more load on charging rollouts and grid connections.

Policy and funding in 2025

LEVI and ORCS in plain English
Local authorities are still using LEVI to grow on-street charging, especially for people without driveways. Capability funding has been topped up for 2025 to 2026. ORCS is closed to new bids and existing projects were due by March 2025, with some extensions agreed case by case. If you are planning kerbside or mixed-use sites, LEVI can still help. If you were banking on ORCS, check your timelines and evidence. Tie your delivery plan to what your authority can actually support.

Motorway and service areas
The Rapid Charging Fund was scrapped in June 2025. Policy attention has shifted toward wider public infrastructure and local networks. Service-area projects now need a cleaner private-capital story and earlier work with the DNO.

Off-grid options
Government set aside £10 million in November 2025 for rapid charging in grid-constrained areas using batteries and renewables. Ideal for tricky corridors and rural stretches where a standard connection will take forever. If your site is stuck in the queue, a hybrid system can get you trading sooner while the permanent connection catches up.

VAT on public charging
Parliament has been looking at the 20% VAT on public charging versus 5% at home. Operators argue it punishes drivers who cannot charge on a driveway. Analyses suggest a public-only user could save around £211 a year if rates matched. Keep an eye on this, any change will hit your pricing model, your payback and your customer comms.

What’s actually hard right now

Grid connections and capacity
Applications were pushed back into 2025, queues are long and forecasts were too light. Ofgem and the new system operator have introduced tougher queue management and code changes so shovel-ready schemes can move faster. If your evidence is weak, you get pushed back. If your design and surveys are complete, you move up.

Planning and highways
Planning consent, power availability and site access still cause delays, although urban cores and Scotland have momentum. Early engagement with highways, clear traffic management plans and clean utilities data can cut weeks from your schedule.

Wayfinding and signage
Guidance for signing EV hubs on trunk roads has improved, but not every site qualifies for official signs. Poor visibility on long routes kills utilisation.

Decisions for project leads in 2025

1) Prove the power case
Run an early capacity check with the Distribution Network Operator or Independent Distribution Network Operator. Model today’s load and where you will be in three to five years. If the connection is slow, plan for behind-the-meter storage so you can open sooner under the new queue rules.

2) Design for accessibility
Use PAS 1899 as the default. Protect clear widths, set kerb heights, keep cable reach sensible and make lighting and signage obvious. It costs less to do it right than to rebuild.

3) Plan for the whole journey
On the strategic road network, map chargers within one mile of the route. Place hubs where drivers have a reason to stop and spend time. More dwell means better revenue and happier users.

4) Build a funding stack that matches your site
Blend private capital with LEVI where it fits. ORCS is closed to new bids, so do not plan around it. Watch the new pots aimed at constrained areas if your grid position is weak.

5) Be clear on pricing
Drivers compare tariffs. Many know that slower stations often sit around the mid-50s p/kWh and rapid hubs around the mid-70s. If your economics rely on public rates, use memberships or smart tariffs to smooth costs and keep utilisation up.

Where Survey Solutions adds value

• Topographic surveys, access assessments, swept-path analysis and constraints mapping to eliminate planning surprises.
• PAS 128 utility mapping, GPR, and drainage CCTV to avoid clashes, diversions and slab rework.
• Cable route surveys, easements, crossings, and buildability checks to shorten connection works and traffic management windows.
• BIM-ready models, point clouds and as-builts that align the CPO, DNO and civils contractor.
• Structural and environmental monitoring around high-traffic locations, including vibration, noise and dust during build.