The electric vehicle charging industry could pump more than £15 billion into the UK economy over the next decade, according to a new industry report.
ChargeUK, the sector’s main trade body, commissioned the study from LCP Delta. The findings project the industry’s economic impact will grow 15-fold by 2035 – putting it alongside telecoms and broadcasting in terms of economic value.
The report breaks down two key areas of growth. Direct contributions from charging operations would jump from £2.5 billion today to £15.5 billion within a decade.
But there’s a much bigger prize at stake.
The study estimates charging infrastructure expansion could unlock a £385 billion “economic opportunity” across transport electrification, battery production, and motor manufacturing – all based in the UK.
Job Creation Potential
Employment figures tell the story of rapid sector growth.
About 12,000 people currently work directly in EV charging. That number could nearly triple to 35,700 over the next 10 years, according to the projections.
The wider ripple effects are even more significant. The report suggests charging infrastructure growth could support 334,000 additional jobs across automotive manufacturing, battery production, retail operations, and vehicle servicing.
Vicky Read, CEO of ChargeUK, said current industry success represents “just the start” of what’s possible.
“There is a huge jobs and growth opportunity ahead, not just for our sector but for EV charging as a foundation for a globally competitive automotive industry, for a secure energy system, and for transport choices that deliver cheaper, cleaner driving,”
Read explained.
She added a warning about timing.
“But the industry, which is pre-profit, is at an inflection point. Upcoming policy decisions are pivotal in determining whether it can deliver that growth.”
Policy Uncertainty Looms
Read’s comments reflect growing concerns about potential changes to the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate – the government framework requiring increasing percentages of new car sales to be electric.
Reports suggest the government might weaken the 2030 target, dropping required EV sales from 80% to 50% of all new vehicles.
Such a policy shift could have immediate consequences for charging investment.
The study estimates charge point operators (CPOs) might cut their investment plans in half over five years – potentially reducing sector funding by £2 billion.
John Murray, head of EVs at LCP Delta, said the £15.5 billion economic contribution remains achievable with the right government approach.
“Our analysis highlights the vast scale of the economic growth and job opportunities that the EV charging sector represents. As a cornerstone of the UK’s EV transition, the charging sector requires a clear and predictable pathway for growth – one that supports continued investment, keeps pace with rising demand, and enables operators to build sustainable businesses,”
Murray noted.
The message from industry leaders is clear: policy stability drives investment confidence.
Vicky Edmonds, CEO of EVA England, reinforced that theme:
“This report reinforces the importance of maintaining stability in the ZEV Mandate. Clear, consistent policy is essential not only for industry investment, but also for consumer confidence and EV sales.”
The charging sector’s growth trajectory depends heavily on maintaining current policy commitments – and the economic opportunity could be worth hundreds of billions if the government stays the course.
