Ownership of plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) is growing rapidly in the UK. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), there are now almost 130,000 registered cars that require access to a charge point, compared with fewer than 5,000 in 2012.

EVs hold the greatest potential to reduce fuel emissions, but if local authorities are to achieve their clean air targets they will need this explosive growth to continue. But while advances in battery technology means users can rely on slow, overnight charging at home, dramatically increasing the number of high-powered stations that can charge vehicles in under an hour will be essential in making them practical for everybody.