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In recent years, the world has become much more aware of its environmental impact, with many of us doing more to be kinder to our planet. Going hand in hand with this sustainable attitude is something of a revolution when it comes to electric vehicles.
EVs seem to be shaping everything from consumer habits to government policy, with the British government committing to the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030. As well as this, luxury car brand Jaguar has announced it will only sell electric cars from 2025 and, despite the automobile industry experiencing an understandable slump in 2020 thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, electric cars actually experienced a rise of more than 40% in the same period.
As the world continues to get to grips with all things electric, let’s take a look at the current condition of the UK’s EV charging network, and whether the country is on track to make the shift full-time.
If you own an electric car, then one of the things you’re probably going to be most concerned about is its charging points. The range of an electric car’s battery can vary from vehicle to vehicle, and when embarking on a long journey it’s important to know where your car can get some juice.
These days, the majority of the UK’s service stations have charging points in place, but the number can vary. The government has pledged that by 2023 every service station in the country will have at least six, but some locations are already leading the way.
Arguably the best service station for EV charging in the UK can be found in Essex. Opened in December 2020, Braintree’s Gridserve service station claims to be the world’s first electric forecourt, with 36 charging points in operation.
With more and more people in the UK purchasing electric cars, a concern for many is whether or not the country has the charging infrastructure to cope with the demand. Most EV owners choose to plug in at home to avoid being caught short, but it’s always a good idea to know what your options are when out and about.
According to data from Zap Map, the region with the most EV charging points is Greater London with 30.4%. Next is the South East with 13.1%, Scotland with 10.6% and the South West with 7.1%.
The North West (6.6%), West Midlands (6.6%) and East of England (6.5%) then follow with a similar amount in place.
Yes. You’ll be pleased to know that there are many free-to-use EV charging points across the UK. Scotland has more than other regions in the country, but if you’re based in or close to any city you should be able to find one not too far away.
There are fewer in rural areas compared to cities and towns, and you’re most likely to find them in car parks, hotels, supermarkets and close to attractions such as museums, theatres or zoos.
The best way to find out where your nearest free charging station is to visit Zap Map and change the filters to show you just ‘free to use’ charging points.
If you own an EV and are planning on going on a long journey, then it’s important to plan your route. You need to know how long your battery’s range will last, and what charging points you can use along the way.
These days, most EV sat-navs will include information on charging points, so you can see fairly easily where they’ll be located en route and plan accordingly. If you’re lucky enough to own a Tesla, then it has a built-in sat-nav that includes information on charging points that you can tailor to your route.
At The Windscreen Company, your safety is our number one concern and our team has years of experience repairing windscreens and windows for all manner of vehicles – including EVs. One of the UK’s leading windscreen repair companies, we serve clients across the South East, Ipswich and Essex, keeping them safe on the road 24 hours a day. To find out more about what we do, get in touch today.
The Windscreen Company, has over 20 years of experience in windscreen repair and replacement. Since 1998, they have been at the forefront of industry innovation, leveraging the latest technology to ensure customer safety and satisfaction.
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