char.gy announced the installation of its 3,000th public charging point, with new charge points going live at a rate of around 400 per month1. The figure was reported by Zapmap, the charge point mapping service, in statistics published on 3 May 2024 covering installations across the UK1.
The same release records that the UK surpassed 60,000 public charging points, and that the 60,000th device was operated by char.gy and installed on Natal Road, a residential street in Streatham, London1. Zapmap states that the first four months of 2024 saw an average of more than 1,900 devices installed every month, up from the 2023 average of 1,400 per month, an increase of almost 37% against the 2023 average1. The 60,000 mark follows the 50,000 milestone, which the UK surpassed in October 20231.
Zapmap's figures break the total down by power rating, comparing the end of April 2023 with the end of April 20241:
| Power rating group | Devices end April 2023 | Devices end April 2024 | Year-on-year growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slow | 25,919 | 36,257 | 40% |
| Fast | 8,671 | 13,051 | 50% |
| Rapid | 5,611 | 6,936 | 24% |
| Ultra-rapid | 2,127 | 4,988 | 135% |
| All | 42,328 | 61,232 | 43% |
Zapmap also reports that the number of low-powered devices on residential streets, used primarily for overnight charging, increased by more than 54% over the same period, and that there were 343 high-powered charging hubs at the end of April 2024, up from 142 a year earlier1. John Lewis, chief executive of char.gy, said the Streatham charge point was designed to replicate the convenience of home charging for residents without driveways, and that early usage statistics show it already serves six local households and has powered over 1,200 zero-emission miles1. He said those drivers paid 13% less on average for those miles than their petrol and diesel-driving neighbours, and 44% less than they would have relying solely on rapid public charging1.
"We're delighted that a char.gy charge point is marking this significant milestone, in a year of remarkable growth, signalling a bright future for the UK's charging infrastructure."
Why it matters for households
For a household without a driveway, the practical question is where a car can be charged cheaply and overnight. Zapmap's breakdown shows the fastest growth in ultra-rapid devices, which are built for en-route charging rather than overnight residential use, while the low-powered on-street devices that serve the same purpose as a home charge point grew by more than 54% over the year1. The char.gy figures for the Streatham device give one operator's account of the cost gap between on-street charging and rapid public charging, and between on-street charging and petrol or diesel1. Households weighing a home charge point against reliance on public infrastructure can compare the two using the site's guide to home and public charging costs, and the rules on public charging networks and payment set out how access and pricing work across operators. The VAT treatment of public charging compared with charging at home is covered separately in the guide to public and home charging VAT.
What happens next
Zapmap's calculations show that, given the rate of installation at the time, the UK is likely to reach 100,000 public charging devices as early as August 20251. No further char.gy installation targets beyond the 400 per month rate have been reported1.