EV charging point installations rise over 300% across North-west since 2019

The number of charging points for electric vehicles (EV) installed across the North-west has increased by 346% since 2019, according to power grid maintenance firm Electricity North West.

Electricity North West revealed the figures as part of Net Zero Week that this year took place 17th to 23rd July. The firm is responsible for maintaining the power grid across the region and installing new public charging points. Figures do not include standard home EV chargers which can be installed by an electrician and can run off of the home mains supply.

Demand for new connections for EV charging points has increased sharply across the UK, but in the North-west it has leapt by more than 300% since 2019, with 67 connections taking place in 2019, 223 in 2020 and 433 in 2021 so far.

Steve Cox, engineering and technical director at Electricity North West, said:

The jump in EV chargers being connected to the network is a significant sign that we are all starting to make the transition to a cleaner, greener future.

“As the network operator, it’s our job to make sure that everyone living and working in the North West can continue to depend on the network, just as they do now, even with all these rapid changes.

“This will perhaps be the most visible shift in the way we use energy but it will be just one of a number of huge transitions that we will all be making as part of the shift to Net Zero – and we’re determined to not only be ready for them all, but to lead the region through those changes with our expert advice and support.”

Electricity North West predicts the North-west could have up to 1 million electric vehicles on the roads by 2030. As a result of in potential increased demand on the power grid due to EVs and other sustainable technologies, the power company announced earlier this year a £2 billion investment plan to sure up capacity on the grid between 2023 and 2028.