UK Passes 2 Million Electric Vehicles on the Road

Why this is here: Roadchef is planning to roll out 1,000 EV charging bays across its sites by 2030 to meet growing demand.

Roadchef CEO Tim Gittins asserts UK motorway services are becoming central to supporting the country’s growing fleet of over 2 million electric vehicles. Roadchef operates motorway service areas that serve millions of motorists yearly and function as critical national infrastructure. The company recently secured 75-year lease extensions on five sites—including the original Watford Gap—and will invest tens of millions to upgrade facilities and expand capacity.

New developments in underserved areas could catalyze regional growth by improving connectivity and creating local jobs. However, the National Audit Office found only about 10% of motorway service areas currently have sufficient grid capacity to meet projected EV charging demand by 2035. Roadchef plans to install 1,000 EV charging bays by 2030, but wider grid reform is needed to support comprehensive en-route charging.

Effective collaboration between public and private sectors—like Roadchef, National Highways, and local authorities—will be vital for long-term investment and network improvements.