Over 2 Million Public EV Charging Sessions Recorded Monthly in the UK

The UK’s electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure is hitting new milestones, with over two million successful charging sessions now taking place on the public network every month, according to the latest data from Zapmap.

Thanks to the UK's Public Charge Point Regulations and the open data they enable, Zapmap has been able to dive deeper into how, when, and where drivers are charging their EVs. And the insights are fascinating.

Rapid Charging Leads the Way

Nearly 60% of all charging sessions are happening at rapid and ultra-rapid chargers – those powerful units rated at 50kW or more, capable of delivering an 80% charge in as little as 20 minutes. This shift toward faster charging shows just how much convenience and speed matter to today’s EV drivers.

December Peaks & Holiday Lulls

The data highlights 23rd December 2024 as the single busiest day for public EV charging, with an impressive 104,215 charging sessions recorded. In contrast, the quietest day was Christmas Day, with just 33,250 sessions – a noticeable dip as drivers took a break for the holidays.

Meanwhile, the start of the summer holidays also saw a surge, with 2nd August – the first Friday after most schools in England let out – recording 66,621 sessions.

Smarter Planning for a Growing Network

With around 76,000 public charging devices now online, the data collected from charge point operators (CPOs) via the Open Charge Point Interface (OCPI) helps build a clearer picture of usage trends. This is proving invaluable for businesses looking to optimise operations and enhance the EV driver experience.

One standout example is Gridserve, which uses utilisation data to anticipate demand and scale its infrastructure accordingly. Its Exeter Electric Super Hub has emerged as the UK’s busiest site, logging hundreds of daily sessions throughout the summer of 2023. Based on this demand, Gridserve increased its ultra-rapid chargers from 12 to 36. While the number of sessions per charger dipped slightly in 2024, the total sessions rose by over 100 per day, leading to shorter waits, smoother journeys, and more confidence for drivers relying on the site.

Data-Driven Decisions Powering the Future

According to Rebecca Trebble, Chief Product Officer at Gridserve, tracking utilisation is about more than just daily totals.

“Utilisation is more than just a snapshot at a single point in time or over a 24-hour period. Tracking fluctuations in traffic and charging patterns help us to fully understand the customer experience,” she explains.

“At Gridserve, we take a holistic view, balancing availability and demand to ensure our busiest sites can handle peak loads – not just today, but well into the future.”

As EV adoption accelerates, this kind of strategic, data-informed planning will be crucial. With tools like Zapmap and open data access paving the way, the UK's public charging network is evolving rapidly – and becoming smarter with every charge.