The Growth of EV Charging in the Forest of Dean and Chepstow

The Forest of Dean is a beautiful rural area home to around 87,000 people as well as plenty of wildlife too. As more drivers begin to switch to electric vehicles (EVs), demand for charging points across the region is forecast to substantially increase.

In this post we’ve looked at where you might find charging points whilst you’re out and about in the Forest. We’ve also noted places where there may not be many EV chargers about but installing them in rural areas isn’t always a simple task.

Commercial high-powered chargers (typically 50–150kW) can place a significant strain on the local electricity grid. In most cases, this means the nearby substation needs to be upgraded. This process can take over a year to finish and cost anywhere between £50,000 and £100,000 per site, depending on how close the nearest high-capacity connection is.

Despite these challenges, more businesses within the Forest of Dean are starting to see the benefits of offering electric vehicle charging points. From hotels to supermarkets, offering a place to top up an EV while visitors use their services, is becoming an attractive way to enhance the customer’s experience.

The Rise of Charging Stations in the Forest

Across the Forest of Dean, the number of charging stations is gradually growing – particularly in the more populated towns such as Cinderford, Coleford and Lydney.

In contrast, smaller villages like Yorkley, Whitecroft, Viney Hill, Ruspidge, and Cannop still lack chargers. The main barrier for these local businesses is the cost of purchase, installation and any upgrades to the grid to support it. This can make it difficult for small hospitality or retail businesses to justify the investment without external funding or strong local and visitor demand to help cover their costs.

Where Are EV Chargers Most Common?

Most public charging points in the area are installed by commercial businesses with the financial capacity to absorb the high setup costs. Larger chains and growing enterprises are leading the way – from supermarkets adding chargers to their car parks, to hotels and campsites offering EV charging as part of their guest services.

You’ll often find EV chargers outside supermarkets, hotels and holiday parks. These enable visitors to recharge their vehicles while enjoying a meal, staying overnight or simply enjoying the Forest.

Northern Area

If you’re approaching the Forest of Dean from the north, there are several fast-charging options along the A40. Some of these offer speeds of up to 180kW, although they can be busy due to their location on a main dual carriageway.

Within the northern area itself, charging points are relatively scarce. Ross-on-Wye, located on the northern border, has two 50kW chargers – one in the Morrison’s car park and another in Edde Cross car park. Slower chargers are available at The King’s Head Hotel and The Hope and Anchor Restaurant , although these are reserved for guests or diners.

For those staying more centrally, The Speech House Hotel on the B4226 offers a 50kW charger exclusively for hotel guests.

Eastern Area

Cinderford is the main hub for EV charging in the eastern part of the Forest of Dean. The Connected Kerb charging station on Station Street (23 Station St) offers four 22kW chargers, making it the fastest option within Cinderford.

Other locations in Cinderford include the Belle Vue Centre, Grange Lane Car Park, Rowandean Car Park, Tesco Superstore, and the Forest of Dean Community Hospital, all with 7kW chargers suitable for longer stops. Winner Garage MG on the local industrial estate also provides two chargers for visitors.

Further north, Mitcheldean offers slower chargers at Mitcheldean High Street and within BizSpace Gloucester’s Vantage Point Business Park.

Southern Area and Chepstow

To the south, Lydney has become a key location for EV drivers likely due to its location as a gateway to the Forest of Dean. Both Lidl and Tesco superstores offer powerful 50kW chargers, while 7kW options are available in local car parks and along Templeway West.

Aylburton, just outside Lydney, is home to one of the region’s most powerful chargers — a 160kW station at Taurus Crafts, open 24/7.

Further south in Chepstow, you’ll find several mid-range chargers (50–75kW) at M&S, the Two Rivers car park, and Basepoint Business Park. The Piercefield pub and restaurant in nearby St Arvans also offers a 50–75kW charger for visitors.

Chepstow also has a good selection of lower-powered chargers located at Chepstow Library, the Beaufort Hotel, Tesco, and several public car parks.

Western Area

On the western side of the Forest, the towns of Coleford and Christchurch both provide good coverage for EV drivers.

In Coleford, the Lidl charger is the most powerful at 50kW while slower options are available at the Royal Forest Factory and Railway Drive Car Park. Private-use chargers are also available for guests staying at the Bells Hotel and Country Club and The Haven.

Christchurch’s chargers are mainly located at hotels, including Ellis Lodge and Forest Holidays – Forest of Dean.

Conclusion

EV charging infrastructure is expanding steadily across the Forest of Dean, although charging speeds and availability vary widely. Council-run car parks tend to offer lower-powered chargers, while larger supermarkets and hospitality businesses are installing faster units to attract more visitors with electric vehicles.

The most powerful chargers in the region include Taurus Crafts in Aylburton (160kW) and The Speech House Hotel (50kW). Smaller hospitality venues provide slower overnight charging for guests, which helps to incentivise longer stays without the increased costs that come with faster units.

As electric vehicle ownership continues to grow, these charging networks will play an increasingly important role in supporting both residents and visitors throughout the Forest of Dean and Chepstow.