Fleet Electrification is Surging, But Public Charging Can’t Keep Up

The UK’s electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure is quickly entering a critical pressure phase, and fleets are in the eye of the storm.

As more operators transition to electric vans and cars, public charging infrastructure is already being stretched. Regions like Greater London and the South East may look well-equipped on paper, but in reality, they are becoming overwhelmed. Our latest analysis shows that there are over 568 EVs per rapid charger in some areas, with fleet vans increasingly competing for limited access to public charging stations.

This is more than a temporary bottleneck. It’s a flashing warning light for fleet operators that public charging alone is not a scalable solution.

What the Data Tells Us

Recent data comparing the number of EVs to rapid and ultra-rapid chargers reveals the growing imbalance:

• South East: Over 343,000 EVs, 742 rapid/ultra-rapid chargers = 463 vehicles per rapid charger
• Greater London: 170,000 EVs, 300 rapid/ultra-rapid chargers = 568 vehicles per charger
• North West: Surprisingly strong ratio: 292 rapid/ultra-rapid chargers for 199,000 EVs = just 341 vehicles per charger

The situation is especially pressing when you account for not just consumer EVs, but also light commercial vehicles (LCVs), local authority fleets, and emergency service vehicles, all increasingly running on electric power. They all need access, and they all need it quickly.

Not Every Fleet Can Rely on Home Charging

It’s easy to assume that most EVs will charge at home overnight. While this may be true for private car owners, it’s not always an option for fleet drivers.

In reality, many drivers live in flats or terraced housing with no off-street parking, others operate vehicles that are too large or have duty cycles that make home charging unviable and urban delivery and service fleets need mid-shift, route-based charging, which home setups can’t provide

This makes it clear: public charging is bearing the burden, but it’s not built for the task. And for many operators, there’s no Plan B.

Rapid Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

Another critical misconception is that all fleets need ultra-rapid charging. That’s not the case, and assuming so is both costly and inefficient.

• Depot-based fleets benefit more from 7kW–100kW shared chargers that balance speed with cost and grid availability
• Urban delivery fleets or tradespeople need high-uptime, mid-speed charging, not just faster speeds in retail car parks
• Not every fleet vehicle needs to go from 20% to 80% in 20 minutes; sometimes, consistency and convenience matter more

This is why infrastructure must move beyond raw kilowatt power and focus on strategic planning, usage patterns, and real-world operations.

The Case for “Behind-the-Barrier” Charging

“Relying purely on public infrastructure is a risk for any high-utilisation fleet,” says Neil Hughes, Head of Commercial and Industrial at The EV Network.

“What we need now is strategic investment in private, behind-the-barrier charging hubs, places where vehicles can charge on schedule, without congestion, downtime, or queue anxiety. We’re already working with logistics, last-mile delivery, and public service operators to build this kind of future-proofed infrastructure.”

Private charging hubs don’t just offer reliability. They enable:

• Guaranteed access to chargers
• Flexible power configurations matched to actual fleet needs
• Reduced reliance on the overburdened public grid
• Operational resilience, particularly for fleets working 24/7 or during peak demand

It’s a smarter way to scale that cuts risk, saves time, and supports a fleet’s bottom line.

Local Authorities and Blue Light Fleets Need Access Too

Fleet electrification isn’t limited to delivery vans and service vehicles. It now includes police, ambulance, and local authority fleets, which all require priority access to charging infrastructure and can’t wait behind private drivers or gig economy couriers.

Without dedicated infrastructure planning, these fleets risk failing their operational mandates and missing their decarbonisation targets.

What SMMT Data Tells Us

According to the latest data from SMMT, the overall LCV market may see a dip in 2025, but electric van uptake continues to rise.

• Battery electric LCVs (BEVs) are expected to make up 9.1% of the market in 2025
• That share is forecast to grow to 13.3% by 2026

That means thousands more electric vans from parcel carriers to plumbers will be looking to charge on the move. Without proportional investment in infrastructure, the public network will become a chokepoint.

The Path Forward

For fleet electrification to succeed, infrastructure must move beyond generic public provision. The road ahead requires:

• Strategically located hubs
• Modular, scalable charging capacity
• A mix of rapid and mid-speed chargers
• Grid connections designed with business growth in mind

The EV Network is already working with businesses, local authorities, and service providers to deliver these solutions and make electrification practical, not just possible.

If your fleet is still depending on the public network, it’s time to rethink.

Let’s talk