Zest passes 3,000 charging point milestone as UK's public charging transition gathers pace

Charge point operator Zest has passed a major milestone, deploying more than 3,000 public EV charging points across the UK just over four years after launching.

Founded in Leeds in 2021, the Yorkshire-based company has grown from a standing start to become one of the UK's largest public charging networks, reflecting the rapid growth of electric mobility across towns, cities and communities nationwide.

Zest's focus has been on bringing charging closer to where people live, work and spend time. The network combines on-street chargers, fast AC charging and rapid and ultra-rapid DC charging, helping ensure drivers can charge conveniently whether or not they have access to a driveway.

Importantly, Zest's 3,000 charging points represent 3,000 individual charging spaces available to drivers, at a time when some industry figures count multiple connectors serving a single parking space.

Today, Zest works with more than 30 public sector organisations, alongside retailers, hospitality brands, property owners and destination partners, to expand access to public charging across the UK. As the first B Corp-certified charge point operator, the company has combined commercial investment with a long-term commitment to supporting the UK's net zero ambitions.

The milestone marks another step in a much larger programme of investment. Zest has already secured contracts for tens of thousands of additional charging points, demonstrating the scale of demand from local authorities, landowners and private sector partners across the country.

Robin Heap, CEO and Founder of Zest, said:

"Reaching 3,000 charging points is an important milestone, but what makes me most proud is where those charge points are located. We have focused on bringing charging into communities, helping people who don't have a driveway access the benefits of electric driving.

"Working with local authorities and private sector partners, we are creating charging infrastructure that becomes part of everyday life. The transition to electric vehicles has moved beyond the early adopter phase and is becoming the mainstream choice for millions of people.

"The momentum behind electrification is now unstoppable. The question is no longer whether the transition will happen, but how quickly we can deliver the infrastructure needed to support it.

"If we want to accelerate deployment further, one of the biggest barriers we need to address is the standing charge regime applied to public charging. Today, a significant proportion of what drivers pay goes towards fixed electricity network charges rather than the energy itself. Reforming that anomaly would lower costs for drivers, improve investment returns and help unlock even faster deployment of charging infrastructure across the UK."

With more projects under construction and tens of thousands more charging points contracted, Zest expects deployment to continue accelerating as public charging becomes an essential part of the UK's energy and transport infrastructure.

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