UK EV Charging Sector Faces Consolidation Amid Slower Growth

The UK electric vehicle charging industry is experiencing a period of consolidation and slower expansion, with operational costs rising and competition intensifying among operators.

By early 2026, several UK charging companies have begun seeking buyers due to increasing expenses, delays in government support, and a crowded market. Smaller operators are encountering difficulties as larger firms and energy companies such as Shell, Connected Kerb, and EDF’s Pod Point continue to expand their presence.

During the pandemic, many charging businesses increased their installations rapidly, supported by accessible investment and interest in green energy. However, this expansion exceeded the pace of electric vehicle adoption, resulting in business models that have proven unsustainable for some operators.

Be.EV, which is backed by Octopus Energy, and Voltempo are responding to these challenges by considering acquisitions or focusing on specific market segments with steady usage. Industry leaders including Be.EV co-founder Asif Ghafoor and Voltempo’s Simon Smith stated that only those operators with strong locations and high usage rates are likely to continue operating.

What the numbers show

• In 2025, 13,500 new EV chargers were added in the UK, bringing the total to about 87,200
• Public charger installations in 2025 fell to 13,469, a 30% decrease from 2024’s 19,834
• Electric vehicles made up 23% of UK car sales in the first 11 months of 2025, up from 19% in 2024
• Standing energy costs for operators rose by up to 460%
• GRIDSERVE secured around £100 million in funding from investors in 2025

The number of charge point operators in the UK stands at around 150, but this figure is expected to fall to just five or six major companies. As of 2025, the largest operators include Shell Recharge, Connected Kerb, Pod Point, and PB Pulse.

EDF completed a £10.6 million, court-approved acquisition of Pod Point in August 2025, consolidating its position in the sector. GRIDSERVE also secured approximately £100 million in investment from several backers in 2025, indicating ongoing interest in the industry from major investors.

Despite electric vehicles accounting for a growing share of car sales, the rollout of new charging points has slowed. In 2025, the UK added 13,500 new chargers, marking a growth rate of under 20%, which is the slowest since 2022. This slowdown occurred even as standing energy costs increased sharply and access to a £450 million infrastructure fund was delayed.

Proposed changes to business rates could introduce new costs for the sector. The UK charging industry may become liable for business rates on about 64,000 parking bays that were previously exempt, with changes potentially taking effect from April 2026 and possibly being backdated to April 2023.

Industry reaction

Industry body ChargeUK stated that the proposed business rate changes could create a £100 million tax burden for the charging sector. The group said this could result in an additional £300 being added to annual charging bills for users.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.