EV Charging Gap: Regions Still Lacking Infrastructure

Charging Points: Where’s the Power?

It seems the place where EVs plug in has shifted away from the North—the Department of Transport’s latest figures show a slight drop in charging spots across northern England since the start of 2025.

Key Numbers

North East: 95 chargers per 100,000 people (down from last year)
North West: 69 chargers per 100,000 people
Yorkshire & Humber: 66 chargers per 100,000 people
London: a whopping 263 chargers per 100,000 people
Scotland: 123 chargers per 100,000 people
Wales: 104 chargers per 100,000 people
Whole of England average: 115 chargers per 100,000 people (mostly London)
Northern Ireland: a mere 35 chargers per 100,000 people

Across the entire UK the number of new chargers ticked up by 4 % in the first quarter of 2025—adding 3,173 new spots, most of which are in London. But the capital’s fast‑charging game (50 kW and higher) is still lagging, with only 15 fast pads per 100,000 residents, just behind Northern Ireland’s 10.

Experts Sound the Alarm

LeaseLoco.com’s Glasgow‑based team has called for a nationwide upgrade. One spokesman said:

“London is dazzling with numbers, but the rest of the country is stuck in the dark. Until we standardise charging provision across the UK, drivers will still be hesitant to make the jump to electric. The dip in the North East and Northern Ireland shows a clear need for more investment. Uncertainty in infrastructure dulls the spark for EV demand—policy makers must look at a UK‑wide picture when planning new public chargers.”

What’s the Bottom Line?

More than just numbers, it’s about confidence. If you can’t find a charger on your way to a run‑in‑town trip or a weekend trip across borders, you’re less likely to drive an EV. The UK has to level up; the North deserves a fair share of the charging revolution, and the rest of the country shouldn’t be left feeling like it’s plugged into a 3‑kW socket on a rainy day.