New data shows that there are more electric car chargers across the UK than fuel pumps as motorists increasingly avoid petrol and diesel vehicles.
The latest data from the Department for Transport shows that there are 116,052 electric vehicle chargers as of January 1, 2026.
In comparison, data from the Petrol Retailers Association 2025 market review stated that there were 8,329 petrol stations around the UK.
Separate research from the RAC Foundation suggested that the average number of fuel pumps per petrol station was 7.3.
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By multiplying the number of petrol stations by the average number of fuel pumps, the DfT estimates that there are a total of 60,802 fuel pumps.
With more than double the number of electric vehicle charging connectors, drivers across the country have more faith in zero emission vehicles than ever before.
Based on the estimates, the Department for Transport concluded: "Based on estimates of industry data, there are now considerably more EV chargers than fuel pumps across the UK."
Speaking to GB News, Tanya Sinclair, CEO of EVUK, praised the milestone as a result of "steady, policy-led" progress among the electric vehicle charging industry.
READ MORE: Drivers urged to save £500 through new Labour scheme to slash cost of electric car home chargers
There are almost double the number of electric car chargers than there are fuel pumps across the UK
|GETTY
She highlighted how the charging network has been improving in recent years as drivers gain more confidence in ditching petrol and diesel cars in favour of electric vehicles.
Ms Sinclair questioned the methodology behind the research, given that it fails to account for residential and workplace chargers.
She said: "The comparison with fuel pumps is symbolic and not something we should read into, because of course it doesn't consider home chargers, and a good charging network is as much about reliable, well-located chargers as it is about absolute numbers."
Zapmap states that there are more than one million electric vehicle chargepoints installed at homes and workplaces across the UK.
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The number of petrol and diesel pumps will continue to fall over the coming years as drivers switch to electric vehicles
| PAThe service acknowledges that it may underestimate the number of chargers installed at homes, given that it does not take into account those installed for plug-in hybrid vehicle owners.
Earlier this week, Labour confirmed that it would extend grants to help drivers save up to £500 off the price of a charger for renters, landlords and businesses.
The extension of the grant will allow motorists to claim up to half the cost of installing an electric charger at home or at work.
Labour confirmed that this would apply to renters, flat owners, residential landlords, households with on-street parking, and schools, in addition to the Workplace Charging Scheme.
Experts have praised the additional funding for drivers to install EV chargers at home | CORDMatt Davies, founder and director of Octopus Electroverse, said EV charging in the UK is at a turning point as electric cars become more popular and infrastructure continues to grow.
He told GB News: "With more public charge points than fuel pumps, the message is clear: electric is now mainstream.
"Visibility drives confidence. When chargers are everywhere, switching feels natural, not risky. We've crossed the tipping point.
"Now it's about helping more drivers get behind the wheel of an EV and experience the benefits for themselves."