A new analysis by Nissan Motor Ltd. predicts that public electric charging stations will number more than fueling stations in the United Kingdom by August 2020. “We believe the tipping point for mass electric vehicle (EV) uptake is upon us,” said Edward Jones, EV Manager for Nissan Motor.
By the end of 2015, just 8,472 fuel stations remained in the country, down from 37,539 in 1970. Assuming a steady rate of decline, Nissan forecasts that by August 2020, this will fall to less than 7,870. In contrast, the number of public electric vehicle charging locations is expected to reach 7,900 by the same point in time.
The first gasoline station opened in Berkshire, England, in November 1919. Today, more than 75% of UK petrol stations have closed in the last 40 years. Meanwhile, public electric vehicle charging locations have jumped from a few hundred in 2011 to more than 4,100 locations in 2016, fueled by electric car sales.
“As electric vehicle sales take off, the charging infrastructure is keeping pace and paving the way for convenient all-electric driving,” Jones said.
The vast majority of EV owners charge at home, but 98% of UK motorway services have charging stations, including rapid connectors. This summer, an annual speech by the Queen included a mandate that all motorway gas stations have charging stations.
Source: NACS Online
