EV for All: Estimating EV Charging Demand in the UK with Smart Data
The UK’s commitment to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 relies heavily on the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). Yet, the speed and fairness of this transition depend on whether people have reliable and convenient access to charging facilities. For many households, charging at home is not an option, particularly in cities where off-street parking is limited. In these cases, public charging points are essential. If access is uneven, the shift to EVs risks deepening existing inequalities, leaving rural areas, lower-income households, and some communities at a disadvantage.
This Fellowship addresses this challenge by developing new ways of understanding both the accessibility of charging networks and the demand for them across the UK. Existing information is valuable, such as national statistics on chargepoint numbers and general travel patterns, but it does not provide the detailed picture needed to plan infrastructure effectively and fairly. These datasets often overlook the realities of everyday human mobility, the diversity of people’s needs, and the social and environmental factors that shape behaviour. The project will overcome these gaps by bringing together multiple streams of smart data, including anonymised mobility data, transport and energy datasets, and demographic information, into a single framework designed to inform EV planning.
The work will focus on three areas. First, it will integrate these different sources of EV-related smart data into an “EV for All” Knowledge Network, a resource that makes previously separated data interoperable, reusable, and relevant to the challenges of EV adoption. Second, it will use this network to produce the first detailed maps of how accessible public charging is across the UK, taking account of both charging near people’s homes and the opportunities they have to charge while travelling, shopping, or working. These maps will reveal not only where facilities exist but also whether different groups, distinguished by geography, income, or ethnicity, face barriers to using them. Finally, the project will create models to forecast how demand for charging is likely to change up to 2030. By linking mobility patterns, demographic trends, and energy system data, the models will provide insights into when, where, and how much additional charging capacity will be needed.
The research will be led by the University of Bristol, drawing on the university’s advanced computing facilities and strong data science team. The project will also benefit from partnerships with the Smart Energy Data Service, the Healthy and Sustainable Places Data Service, and the National Grid, ensuring access to critical datasets and real-world expertise. Guidance from senior academic mentors will strengthen the methodological and policy impact dimensions of the work. Outputs from the project will be widely shared. Open datasets, accessible tools, and published methods will allow researchers and stakeholders to build on the findings. National Grid will use the evidence to inform the Great Grid Upgrade projects, while workshops with industry partners and the government will ensure that the models and maps support practical decision-making. The wider public will be engaged through interactive maps, infographics, and community events that make the findings transparent and accessible.
By producing the first national picture of public charging accessibility and projecting future demand, this Fellowship will generate evidence to guide government investment, strengthen public confidence, and ensure that the UK’s transition to net-zero is not only technically achievable but also fair and inclusive.