EV Charging Site Acquisition: Why The Land Grab Isn’t Over

Is the EV Land Grab Over?

For the past few months, the industry narrative has been consistent: the land grab is over, and now it’s all about utilisation. EV charging site acquisition, however, tells a more complex story. It is a compelling idea, but it oversimplifies what is happening across the market.

Utilisation has rightly become the critical metric. However, the notion that land and new site opportunities have become less important doesn’t reflect reality. The market hasn’t moved on from land. It has just become far more selective about it.

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EV Charging Site Acquisition: From Gold Rush to Discipline

Early EV infrastructure deployment followed a predictable pattern, the land ‘gold rush’.

Operators moved quickly, prioritising speed to ground. Sites were secured rapidly, networks expanding at an exciting rate, and success was often measured by sockets rather than performance. Numbers counted; optimisation came later.

And for many reasons, that phase was necessary.

By the end of 2025, the UK network scaled rapidly to approximately 87,000 public charge points, with over 13,000 added in that year alone. Annual growth rates regularly exceeded 25%. Establishing a footprint that was enough to create value. However, that phase was never sustainable.

The Market Hasn’t Slowed. EV Charging Site Acquisition Has Matured.

What we are seeing now is not a reduction in demand, but an increase in discipline.

Rollout growth has calmed down, falling below 20% in 2025, with some operators seeing year-on-year slowdowns. At the same time, EV adoption continues to rise, now exceeding 20% of new car sales, the uncertainty in global markets has supported interest in alternative transport and the forecast is changing.

According to Office for Zero Emission Vehicles, the transition to electric vehicles continues to accelerate, reinforcing the long-term need for reliable infrastructure.

Therefore, demand remains strong. Capital although heavily scrutinised, remains available. The need for infrastructure hasn’t changed. What has changed is how investment decisions are made.

Utilisation Has Changed the Conversation

The industry now has access to real usage data at scale.

The UK recorded over 10 million public charging sessions in a single quarter. That level of activity provides clear visibility on performance, not just where infrastructure exists, but where it works.

As a result, the key question is no longer “Can this site be delivered?” but “Will this site perform?”

This distinction is critical.

Traffic flow and grid capacity being the initial core metrics no longer suffice, Local populace, socio economics, household income, competitor activity, dwell time, accessibility, visibility, and many more data points are now fundamental inputs into EV charging site acquisition, and not a secondary consideration.

The Cost of Getting it Wrong

A significant number of sites were secured in a hurry.

While some early sites perform well, others suffer from poor utilisation driven by weak location fundamentals, limited demand, or constrained grid capacity. These are not just operational challenges; they directly impact revenue and long-term asset performance.

Underperforming sites dilute portfolio quality and introduce pressure on both operators and investors.

Much of the “land grab is over” narrative stems from this reality. In practice, it reflects a shift away from volume-led deployment towards performance-led strategy.

The Best Sites Have Never Been More Competitive

High-quality sites have not become less relevant; they have become more valuable.

The industry now has a clearer understanding of what drives utilisation. As a result, operators are focusing on a smaller pool of strategically important locations: high-traffic environments, strong retail adjacency, and areas with proven demand. This has created a more competitive landscape and high pressure.

Here’s the part that gets missed.

Fewer sites are being pursued overall, but those that meet the right criteria are attracting more attention, stronger capital, and increasingly sophisticated acquisition strategies. Landowners are also more aware of the long-term value of their assets.

This is not the end of a land grab. It is a more targeted and competitive version of it.

The UK Landscape Remains Uneven

At a national level, the UK charging landscape remains uneven.

London alone accounts for roughly 30% of the UK’s public chargers, while large parts of the UK remain underserved. However, not every gap represents viable opportunity. Some reflect genuinely lower demand rather than missed deployment.

The challenge has shifted from identifying available land. To identifying viable, scalable, and commercially sustainable locations that align with both current demand and long-term network strategy.

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So, is the Land Grab Over?

If “land grab” refers to the early phase of securing sites at speed with limited data, then yes, that phase has passed.

But if it refers to competition for high-quality, high-utilisation locations, then it is very much intensifying.

Stronger data, tighter capital, and less tolerance for poor performance means that fewer mistakes are made. However, they also raise the stakes. Securing the right sites is now critical to long-term performance.

What this Means in Practice

Site acquisition is no longer a standalone activity. It is a core component of commercial strategy.

Success of sites is not defined by the number delivered, but by:

• How quickly utilisation ramps
• How consistently it performs
• How effectively each site fits into to a broader network strategy

The focus has shifted. Volume alone is no longer sufficient. Quality, performance, and long-term viability now define value.

The Bottom Line

The gold rush phase of EV infrastructure is over. The competition for land is not.

It has simply evolved into a more disciplined, data-driven, and commercially focused process. Where fewer sites are pursued, but the right sites matter more than ever.

High-performing locations remain scarce. They remain competitive. And they continue to define the success of a network. But those sites are still out there.

Site acquisition was never just about finding land. It is about securing the locations that will help define long-term network performance.

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To learn more about how EVN can support you or your business across the full lifecycle of EV charging infrastructure, from early site strategy through to long-term operation, speak to an EVN expert about your electrification journey today.