Around 1,900 acres of land could be needed to meet growing demand for electric vehicle (EV) charging, with an additional 62,000 new rapid chargers required by 2030, according to a report from Knight Frank.
The widening gap between EV ownership and charging infrastructure presents a clear chance for property owners to reposition underused assets and generate new revenue streams, the report concludes.
Zero-emission vehicles accounted for 23% of all newly registered cars in 2025, a significant rise from just 7% in 2020. This rapid growth resulted in nearly 1.6 million battery EVs on the road by the third quarter of 2025, representing an eight-fold increase in five years.
However, public charging infrastructure has struggled to keep pace, only tripling since the end of 2021. Consequently, the ratio of battery EVs to public chargers has worsened from 11:1 to around 14:1.
Knight Frank projects that by 2030, almost 2.1 million battery EVs could be newly registered, leading to a total fleet of around 7.6 million, or roughly 20% of all cars. To meet this demand, the UK would require approximately 213,000 public chargers by 2030, including 89,000 rapid chargers.
Delivering the required additional 62,000 new rapid chargers by 2030 could require around 1,900 acres of land. The report notes that much of this demand can be met by utilising grey or previously disused land rather than green spaces.
“The UK EV charging market has entered a more competitive and data-driven phase. Rents for viable charging locations continue to rise, having doubled over recent years in several locations,” said David Goatman, global head of energy, sustainability and natural resources at Knight Frank.
“Asset owners should thoroughly assess their estates, obtain professional advice on site viability and scrutinise tender proposals rather than accepting the first operator approach in this increasingly competitive landscape.”
Flora Harley, head of energy and sustainability research at Knight Frank, added: “By adopting a strategic, data-led approach that combines geospatial analysis with demographic trends, EV penetration and current charging provision, Knight Frank can identify and understand viable sites for deployment and is able to demonstrate the scale of opportunity for property owners.”
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