Ones to watch: The UK’s leading EV charging networks powering up in 2025
As the UK accelerates toward a net-zero future, the EV charging landscape is evolving just as quickly. A new generation of charge point operators is shaping how - and where - we power our vehicles. Harpswood has had the privilege of working closely with some of the most innovative players in this space – notably Be.EV, Octopus Electric Vehicles and New AutoMotive – helping to build the brands defining the future of electric mobility.
In this roundup, we’re spotlighting the standout EV charging networks driving progress across the UK. Through steady growth, smart partnerships and user-focused design, these operators are leading the charge.
char.gy is fast becoming a standout in the UK's EV charging ecosystem, with around 4,000 public charge points already in operation.
Specialising in lamppost-mounted chargers, char.gy targets streets and neighbourhoods where demand is rising - particularly for residents who park on-street and lack access to home chargers. Its network runs on 100% renewable energy with affordable overnight tariffs.
In 2024, the company secured £100 million in private funding to accelerate rollout. This investment is supporting landmark projects like a £130 million deal to deploy over 6,000 on-street chargers in Brighton & Hove, and 1,000 chargers with Barnet Council. char.gy aims to grow its network to 100,000 charge points by 2030, supporting the transition for up to 1 million drivers. Currently, the UK has around 60,000 public charge points, highlighting the ambitious scale of char.gy’s growth plans.
Evyve is an emerging EV charging network making strides in the UK’s rapid charging space. With a focus on convenience and accessibility, Evyve installs chargers where people already spend time - retail parks, leisure centres, restaurants, and business parks.
Most Evyve chargers are 75kW, with all rapid chargers offering at least 50kW. This makes the network well-suited for drivers looking for a dependable top-up while shopping, working, or dining out.
The majority of Evyve’s 700 chargers offer 75kW, with all rapid chargers delivering at least 50kW. The company’s infrastructure is designed with ease-of-use in mind, prioritising reliability and minimal downtime.
Founded in 2019, Evyve has scaled quickly and was recently named an “up-and-coming network” by Zapmap. It’s also integrated with major roaming platforms, including Electroverse, Zap-Pay, and Allstar—making it a practical choice for fleet users and private drivers alike.
GRIDSERVE is a standout in the UK’s EV charging landscape. It currently operates over 1,300 charging bays across 120+ sites, including its flagship Electric Forecourts - high-spec, solar-powered charging hubs that offer amenities like lounges, cafés, and workspaces.
GRIDSERVE’s model is built around its “Sun-to-Wheel” ecosystem, integrating solar energy, battery storage and charging infrastructure to deliver low-carbon power across the network.
Backed by over £500 million in debt finance, GRIDSERVE has earned praise for the reliability and ease of use of its network, topping Zapmap’s recent survey as the UK’s most-used public charging network. As the company eyes international expansion, it has entered a new phase of leadership: founder Toddington Harper now leads GRIDSERVE Global, while former Shell Ubitricity CEO Daniel Kunkel has taken the helm of UK operations. It’s a clear signal that GRIDSERVE is preparing for its next chapter, both at home and beyond.
InstaVolt is widely recognised as one of the UK’s most reliable EV charging networks. It operates entirely on renewable energy sources from solar and wind farms.
Founded in 2016, it is now the largest rapid charging network in the UK with over 1,700 chargers installed across the country. The network is powered exclusively by 100% green electricity through Octopus Energy for Business.
One of its most notable sites is the Instavolt Superhub in Winchester, which launched earlier this year and is the largest ultra-rapid charging station of its kind in the UK. The company is now expanding internationally, with operations already underway in Iceland and Spain and plans to grow further across the Iberian Peninsula.
Osprey’s CEO Ian Johnston has led the company on an impressive growth trajectory since 2018 and is also an established leader in the industry as the founding chair of industry body ChargeUK.
Osprey’s network now includes over 1,300 rapid chargers, all powered by 100% renewable energy. The business has distinguished itself by targeting high-traffic, practical locations – from off-motorway sites to retail and hospitality venues. A recent milestone includes a partnership with Legal & General, through which Osprey has begun rolling out five new ultra-rapid hubs across the UK. The first, in Stoke-on-Trent, is part of a plan to install 72 charge points across six key sites.
With more infrastructure in the pipeline and continued industry leadership, Osprey is helping set the pace for the UK’s transition to electric mobility.
BP Pulse operates one of the UK’s largest public EV charging networks, with over 12,000 charge points and a £1 billion investment plan to expand infrastructure. The network is central to BP’s broader strategy to transition from fossil fuels to low-carbon energy solutions.
Led by Akira Kirton, a BP veteran with a background in clean energy innovation, the company offers chargers ranging from 7kW to ultra-fast 150kW units, with newer 300kW chargers being rolled out. These ultra-rapid units can add around 100 miles of range in as little as 10 minutes, depending on the vehicle.
In early 2024, BP Pulse opened its first all-electric charging and retail hub in Hammersmith, London - replacing petrol pumps entirely with high-speed chargers. The business also partners with Wild Bean Café to offer EV drivers discounted hot drinks while they charge, offering convenience alongside longer dwell times.
The network was recognised among the UK’s top charging providers in Zapmap’s 2024 driver survey, cementing it as a leader in powering the future of electric driving.
Pod (formerly Pod Point) is a UK-based company specialising in home charging solutions. Established in 2009, Pod has grown to become a leading provider in the sector with over 250,000 charge points nationwide and counting.
In 2025, Pod introduced "Pod Drive," a subscription service aimed at reducing the upfront costs of home charger installation. For a £99 initial fee and £40 monthly subscription, customers receive a Solo 3S charger, installation, and a 48-hour service level agreement. The service also offers cashback on up to 7,500 "smart charged" miles annually, potentially offsetting household electricity costs by over £170 per year.
Source EV is an ultra-rapid EV charging company launched as a joint venture between TotalEnergies and SSE. Focussed on the UK and Ireland, the company is building a network of ultra-rapid charging hubs to meet surging demand for public EV infrastructure.
The company has bold ambitions: 3,000 chargers across 300 sites in five years with a 20% market share in its sights. Source is particularly targeting the public sector, positioning itself as a trusted partner to local authorities and public landowners.
Its first 12-bay hub launched in Edinburgh in May 2025, setting the tone for a national rollout of ultra-fast, accessible EV infrastructure.
Launched in January 2024, Smart Charge is a new entrant in the UK’s EV charging market with ambitious plans and major backing. The network is supported by Sainsbury’s and within its first year has installed 650 ultra-rapid charging bays across more than 75 supermarket sites, offering 150kW charging speeds capable of delivering a meaningful top-up in around 30 minutes.
The network’s growth is fuelled by a £25 million investment and partnerships with EV roaming platforms Paua and Octopus Electroverse, allowing for broader user access without additional apps or cards. Drivers also earn Nectar points while charging, further aligning with Sainsbury’s loyalty ecosystem.
Smart Charge recently joined ChargeUK, the industry body representing the UK’s leading charging providers, signalling its long-term intent. With rapid expansion, renewable energy, and retail integration, Smart Charge is positioning itself as a serious contender in the evolving EV landscape.
Be.EV is one of the fastest-growing EV charging networks in the UK, with a mission to make reliable, accessible, and community-focused electric vehicle charging the norm. With a stronghold in Greater Manchester and an ambitious national rollout underway, Be.EV now operates over 800 public charge points - offering fast, rapid, and ultra-rapid charging - and has secured significant funding to accelerate its growth.
As a business built on public good, Be.EV’s unique approach combines sustainability with local engagement, underpinned by 100% renewable energy. This is exemplified by the Manchester Charging Oasis, its flagship site, which has repurposed an old abandoned petrol station into the EV charging hub of the future, regenerating the Failsworth area in the process.
At Harpswood, we've had the privilege of supporting Be.EV for nearly three years, helping to shape its reputation as a charge point operator to partner with. Through strategic communications and high-impact PR, we’ve helped amplify their voice in a competitive market and position them as a trusted, forward-thinking leader in the EV space.
Their success is a testament to the power of strong partnerships and a shared vision for a cleaner, greener future.