From Scepticism to Acceptance - The Parallel Journeys of Filling Stations and EV Charging.
The journey of the UK's fuelling infrastructure began in the early 20th century and coincided with the advent of the automobile. The first filling station in the UK opened in Aldermaston, Berkshire, in November 1919 (see image below).
Operated by the Automobile Association (AA), this innovative station featured a single hand-operated pump and marked the beginning of a significant transformation in vehicle refuelling.
As car ownership grew, so did the need for more sophisticated and convenient fuelling options. By the mid-20th century, purpose-built filling stations with multiple pumps, service bays, and convenience stores had become commonplace.
The Current Landscape of Filling Stations
As of the latest data, there are approximately 8,380 filling stations in the UK. These stations serve millions of drivers daily, providing a critical service that keeps the country moving. However, just as the filling station network grew to meet the needs of the motoring public, a new type of infrastructure is rapidly expanding to cater to the next generation of vehicles: electric vehicles (EVs).
The Rise of EV Charging Infrastructure
The growth of public and private EV charging infrastructure in the UK mirrors the early days of filling stations. Initially, EV charging points were few and far between, often located in less convenient places and with varying degrees of reliability. However, this is rapidly changing.
Today, over 67,000 public charge points (Source: Zap-Map August 2024), excluding home and workplace chargers, are registered across the UK. This number is set to grow exponentially, with the UK government aiming to have 300,000 public charge points by 2030. This ambitious goal is part of a broader strategy to promote sustainable transport and reduce carbon emissions.
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Embracing Change - The Evolution of Charging Points
Just as the early filling stations evolved to become the comprehensive service hubs we know today, EV charging points are transforming. Modern charge points are increasingly reliable, user-friendly, and strategically located to meet drivers' needs. They can be found in various locations, from dedicated charging hubs to supermarket car parks, hotels, and residential streets.
The technology behind EV charging is also advancing rapidly. Fast and ultra-fast chargers can replenish a vehicle's battery in a fraction of the time it took just a few years ago, making EV ownership more convenient.
Looking Ahead - The Future of Vehicle Refuelling
The comparison between the growth of filling stations and EV charge points is striking. Both started as niche services met with scepticism but grew to become essential parts of our transportation infrastructure. Just as people once preferred their horses over early automobiles, some may hesitate to adopt EVs. However, as the infrastructure continues to improve, the benefits of EVs will become undeniable.
The expansion of the EV charging network is about more than just convenience. It represents a significant shift towards reducing our carbon footprint and improving public health by reducing air pollution from combustion engine vehicles. As the number of EVs on the road increases, so will the demand for reliable and widespread charging infrastructure.
The evolution of the UK's fuelling infrastructure, from the first filling stations to the growing network of EV charge points, illustrates a broader trend towards sustainable and efficient transport solutions. With over 67,000 charge points already in place and a goal of 300,000 by 2030, the UK is well on its way to creating a comprehensive and accessible EV charging network that will benefit both people and the planet.
Thanks for reading
Liz
B2B Marketing Manager
6 个月You’re very welcome Liz Allan always happy to share such an amazing image from our archives at The AA. Thanks for including us in this insightful article. ??
Providing best practise risk assessment for the installation of EV charging infrastructure and the management of public, fire and environmental safety.
6 个月The journey of the petrol filling station is an interesting one, between 2000 - 2021 35% of UK petrol filling stations closed , dropping from 12,500 towards the 8,400 mark. The realisation that you could not survive on fuel margin alone meant many smaller sites closed and the bigger convenience store offer became the cash king, which meant location was everything. Electric vehicles give that wonderful opportunity of being able to charge at home, something that could never really be achieved with ICE. If you could refuel your car at home today I think it would be a similar story to EV charging , ie: not available to everyone. It will be interesting to see in the long term if an EV hub with no convenience shop offer will survive financially. A lot of the best real estate locations for the refuelling and a great C store offer were taken up by the oil majors and they will sit on those and move to a more EV orientated offer very much at their own pace. I am old enough to have seen over 3 decades of transformation within the downstream oil and gas market in my professional career and watch the EV transition with great interest.
Group CEO - LiFe Younger
6 个月This quote highlights not only the challenge of introducing revolutionary technology LiFe Younger For Innovation! Let's do it together! (give me money ,give me power, I don't care. Just for innovation) would you like to do 0-1 or 1 -N? Creating truly innovative technology requires progressing from "zero to one" rather than from "one to n." This means creating something entirely new rather than incrementally adding to what already exists.
Independent and pragmatic approach to carbon reduction. Views stated are personal and not related to Davies Partnership.
6 个月Problem is most non-tesla points, especially on major roads, are too expensive to persuade people who cannot charge at home to switch to bev. This is unlikely to change due to charger operator required return on investment. The government needs to step in and nationalise the uk charging network and lower prices. Improve reliability, far too many chargers do not work. Private individuals need to offer their chargers when not in use using apps such as zapmap, with a modest profit margin. This needs to go hand in hand with published year on year petrol and diesel fuel duty increases so people can see the writing on the wall for ice cars.