Driving from Yorkshire to Southern Spain recently, one thing struck me: Tesla Superchargers are everywhere. From French service stations to small Spanish towns, there’s a well-placed, high-speed charging station seemingly around every corner. Many of these are funded by the EU, part of a coordinated effort to boost green energy and economic growth. Meanwhile, back home in Yorkshire – and across the UK – the picture is far less rosy.
Take Sheffield, for example. As one of the UK’s largest cities, you’d expect it to be at the forefront of the electric vehicle (EV) revolution. Yet, there isn’t a single Tesla Supercharger in the city centre. Instead, drivers have to trek five miles out to Meadowhall. Compare that to France and Spain, where even small towns have charging hubs, and it’s clear the UK is lagging behind.
This isn’t just about convenience for EV drivers – it’s about economic opportunity. Europe is strategically deploying EV infrastructure to support businesses, tourism, and investment. The UK, on the other hand, has lost access to EU funding post-Brexit and hasn’t yet found a viable replacement. If we don’t act fast, we risk not just a charging gap, but an economic gap too.
The EU’s Investment in Charging – And Why It’s Paying Off
Across France and Spain, the EU’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF) has been instrumental in rolling out chargers where they’re needed most. Tesla alone received €148.7 million in EU funding to expand 7,198 fast-charging points across 22 European countries.
This investment is working:
France: Over 118,000 public chargers, surpassing EU targets.
Spain: A rapidly growing network, with plans for 4,000 new fast chargers by 2025.
UK: Just 73,000 public chargers, with a goal of 300,000 by 2030 – but progress is slow.
And it’s not just about the number of chargers, but where they are. In France and Spain, chargers aren’t clustered in big cities; they’re spread across small towns, motorways, and rural areas, boosting local economies.
Meanwhile, the UK’s approach remains disjointed. Chargers are being installed, but without a coordinated national strategy.
How Many Chargers Per Tesla? A Key Indicator
Let’s break it down further. One of the best ways to measure charging access is by looking at the number of Tesla Superchargers per Tesla vehicle:
France: 1 Supercharger per 298 Teslas
Spain: 1 Supercharger per 312 Teslas
UK: 1 Supercharger per 592 Teslas
This means that UK Tesla owners compete for charging points at nearly double the rate of their European counterparts. For EV adoption to truly work, the infrastructure has to scale with demand – and right now, it isn’t.
EV Charging: An Economic Engine for Growth
Investing in EV infrastructure isn’t just about sustainability – it’s about economic regeneration, particularly in areas that need investment.
Boost for Local Businesses: EV drivers stop for longer than petrol drivers, meaning more foot traffic for shops, cafés, and restaurants.
Higher Property Values: Towns with strong EV infrastructure see increased demand from residents, businesses, and investors.
Job Creation: The installation, maintenance, and management of charging stations create high-skilled jobs.
Green Tourism Growth: Tourists planning EV-friendly trips will favour well-equipped destinations over those without reliable chargers.
One of the most striking differences I saw between the UK and Europe was how EV chargers in smaller towns acted as hubs for local economic activity. A quick stop at a Supercharger in rural Spain led me to a great local restaurant. In France, I saw small businesses thriving around charging hubs.
These aren’t random success stories – they’re planned investments.
Why the UK is Struggling to Keep Up
So why is the UK falling behind? Brexit removed access to EU infrastructure funding, and the UK has yet to implement a truly effective alternative.
Yes, the government has pledged £500 million for EV charging infrastructure, with projects like:
£100 million for a Welsh charging network
£68 million for expansion in West Sussex
But these figures pale in comparison to the coordinated EU-wide investment that’s reshaping Europe’s charging landscape.
We’re seeing an EV divide emerge – not just between the UK and Europe, but within the UK itself. Wealthier city centres, particularly in the South East, are getting the lion’s share of investment. London and its surrounding areas boast over 30 Tesla Supercharger stations, with many offering 10-12 charging stalls per location. Meanwhile, the North of England has just 10-15 Supercharger stations, often with fewer stalls and concentrated in a handful of major cities like Manchester and Leeds. Rural areas, such as the Yorkshire Dales or Northumberland, are left with little to no coverage.
This disparity isn’t just about convenience – it’s about economic fairness. The South East’s robust charging network supports businesses, tourism, and investment, while the North risks being left behind. In Yorkshire, this means towns like Barnsley, Doncaster, and Scarborough are overlooked, despite their potential to benefit from EV-driven growth.
The lack of a cohesive national plan means businesses, investors, and consumers in the North are hesitant to commit fully to EV adoption. If the UK is serious about its 2030 net-zero targets, it must address this imbalance urgently.
What Needs to Change?
If the UK – and Yorkshire in particular – wants to compete globally, we need a clear and aggressive strategy for EV infrastructure.
Government-Backed Incentives: A UK equivalent of the EU’s funding model to ensure nationwide charging access, with a focus on underserved areas like rural Yorkshire.
Stronger Public-Private Partnerships: Encourage businesses and councils to co-fund strategic charging locations, particularly in small towns and along major transport routes like the A1 and M62.
Smarter Placement of Chargers: We need them in small towns, motorways, and rural areas, not just affluent city centres.
The UK Must Act – Or Risk Falling Further Behind
Driving across Europe, the difference was clear. EV infrastructure isn’t just about cars – it’s about economic opportunity. The EU is using chargers to drive investment into underdeveloped areas. The UK, without a comparable strategy, is at risk of being left in the dust.
We have the technology and the expertise – now we just need the investment and vision to make it happen.
If a rural town in France can get a state-of-the-art Tesla Supercharger, why can’t Sheffield city centre? Or Harrogate? Or Hull?
The UK – and Yorkshire – can’t afford to wait.
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