IONITY Doubles Ultra‑Rapid EV Charger Network in the UK

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Europe’s high‑power charging network IONITY has achieved a major milestone in the UK, announcing more than 700 ultra‑rapid 350 kW+ chargers are now publicly accessible as of 22 January 2026. This marks a dramatic expansion—in 2025 the network began the year with around 300 chargers and has more than doubled its capacity within a year. IONITY plans to exceed 1,000 charging points by the close of 2026, with forthcoming sites in Fort William, Inverness and Aston (south Birmingham) set to open in the first quarter. With one in three of all public ultra‑rapid chargers now operated by IONITY, the operator is emerging as a central force in delivering high‑speed, reliable EV charging nationwide. Its infrastructure enables compatible vehicles to charge from 10% to 80% in under 15 minutes, and all charging is powered by 100% renewable energy. The network has grown sixfold in the UK since 2022, with new IONITY charge points opening every 3–4 days across Europe, and in 2025 nearly four new charge points launched every single day.

Meanwhile, national EV charging infrastructure continues expanding. Zapmap statistics reveal that 777 new charging devices were added in October 2025 alone, including 378 rapid or ultra‑rapid (50 kW+) units, bringing total public charging devices to nearly 86,800 across over 44,000 locations. Ultra‑rapid chargers (150 kW+) saw a 49% year‑on‑year rise, and the number of charging hubs—locations with six or more rapid or ultra‑rapid units—grew by 31% to reach 705. Local transport authorities are also scaling up: Bolton Council plans at least 400 new public charge points supported by £2.3 million in combined funding, while West Yorkshire is delivering 716 chargers under its own initiative.

Regional infrastructure investment continues apace. Scotland, through its draft 2026/27 Budget, has allocated £85 million to EV charging rollout and incentives. This funding forms part of a broader £4.3 billion transport investment package that includes £2.7 billion for public transport and £316 million for low‑carbon and sustainable travel measures. Support measures also include a 10‑year non‑domestic rates relief for qualifying EV charging points.

On the freight and commercial side, Cenex in partnership with Energy Saving Trust is administering a £30 million Depot Charging Scheme, intended to support more than 3,000 van and 200 HGV charge points. Fleet operators can claim up to 75% of installation costs, capped at £1 million per applicant, until funding runs out or 28 November 2025 is reached.

Separately, Aegis Energy is launching the UK’s first clean multi‑energy refuelling hubs for commercial EVs. With £100 million in backing from Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners, the project will roll out an initial five‑station network by the end of 2027, with the first station expected to open in early 2026. Locations include Sheffield, Immingham, Warrington, Corby and Towcester, and eventually the broader network aims to scale up to 30 hubs by 2030.

Finally, EV adoption is reflected in mileage statistics. More than one in every twenty car miles in the UK is now driven by a zero‑emission vehicle. By end of 2024 battery‑electric cars comprised 3.8% of the national fleet and accounted for 5.3% of all car mileage. BEVs under three years old averaged over 10,000 miles per year—similar to young diesel vehicles—highlighting growing usage and everyday integration.

What This Means:
This rapid expansion of ultra‑rapid charging by IONITY significantly enhances the UK’s EV charging backbone, particularly for long‑distance travel and confidence in electrified transport. The surge in public charging availability—across rapid, ultra‑rapid, on‑street and depot infrastructure—underscores a concerted national effort to enable widespread EV adoption. Scotland’s substantial public funding and supportive policies, alongside the government‑backed depot charging grants and private sector initiatives like Aegis, illustrate how multi‑level action is driving forward the net‑zero transport transition. Together, these developments represent a strengthening ecosystem in which infrastructure, policy support and user‑centred deployment converge to accelerate the shift to zero‑emission mobility.

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