The switch is on: UK EV chargers surpass petrol pumps

The UK’s transition to electric mobility has reached a significant national milestone, with new data confirming there are now almost twice as many public electric vehicle (EV) chargers as petrol pumps across the country.

This development marks a major shift in the UK’s transport and energy landscape, reflecting rapidly increasing EV adoption and the accelerating rollout of nationwide charging infrastructure.

Ipsum is playing an active role in supporting this transition through its EV charging specialist business, Parco Civil Engineering & Groundworks Ltd, which has delivered large-scale charging infrastructure at pace, helping to meet growing demand from EV drivers and network operators.

In just one month, Parco completed:

➡️ 177 EV rapid charger installations across 46 sites

➡️ 36 FP/GRP unit distributions

The business provides a turnkey approach and can deliver complete site build and installation services as part of its nationwide rollout strategy.

Parco’s long-standing relationship as build partner to InstaVolt has seen the business support the development and expansion of existing ultra rapid charging locations across the UK.

Driving environmental and transport change

The expansion of EV infrastructure aligns with wider national and global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality.

Electric vehicles offer several key environmental benefits, including:

• Zero tailpipe emissions – eliminating greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants from the tailpipe, improving air quality
• Reduced noise pollution – supporting quieter urban environments
• Improved energy efficiency – with EV’s 3-4 times more efficient than traditional combustion engine vehicles, reducing overall energy demand

Together, these developments are helping to reshape how energy is consumed, stored and distributed across the UK.

For Ipsum, the expansion of EV infrastructure forms part of our wider sustainability strategy aimed at long-term emissions reduction.

In 2023, the company moved to a 100% plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or electric vehicle company car fleet. Today, 49% of company cars are fully electric, with further EV acquisitions planned for 2026 to increase this proportion further.

“As EV adoption continues to accelerate, the role of reliable, accessible charging infrastructure becomes ever more critical,’ says Parco’s Managing Director, Michael Hand. ‘We specialise in delivering the infrastructure that underpins the UK’s largest charge point operators, helping turn ambitious rollout plans into reality. Working as part of the Ipsum Group, we’re building scalable, future-ready networks that support a cleaner, more efficient transport system and play a vital role in the journey to net zero.”

As the UK’s charging infrastructure expands and EV adoption accelerates, Ipsum and Parco are positioning themselves at the centre of the energy transition – delivering the infrastructure needed to support a cleaner, quieter and more efficient transport future.