Daily EV news · UK · 2 March 2026
EV Charging
Blackpool opens 15 minute rapid charging hub near Devonshire Road
A new electric vehicle charging hub has opened near Devonshire Road in Blackpool, offering 15 minute charge and go capability. The Blackpool Gazette reports the facility is now operational, adding rapid charging infrastructure to the Lancashire coastal town. No details on charger count, power ratings or operator were provided in the available excerpt.
Why it matters
The hub expands rapid charging provision in a UK seaside destination, potentially supporting both local EV adoption and tourist traffic. The 15 minute turnaround suggests high power units that may inform future hub specifications for similar leisure and retail locations.
Islington secures £932,500 government funding to install over 800 new EV charge points by 2030
Islington Council has secured £932,500 from a £1.86 million Department for Transport funding allocation, awarded in partnership with Camden Council, to deploy more than 800 additional public EV charge points between 2026 and 2030. The borough has already delivered over 600 publicly accessible charge points and expects private investment to supplement the government grant. The funding aims to support the transition to electric vehicles and improve local air quality.
Why it matters
The multi-year DfT programme signals sustained public procurement for on-street charging infrastructure in London boroughs, creating pipeline visibility for charge point operators and installers. Councils pooling bids and blending public grants with private capital is becoming a standard model for scaling residential charging networks.
Sainsbury's opens UK Smart Charge network to Openreach engineers
Sainsbury's has granted Openreach engineers access to its Smart Charge electric vehicle network across the UK, according to ISPreview UK. The arrangement allows field engineers from the broadband infrastructure operator to use charging points at Sainsbury's stores while on duty. The move expands access to the supermarket's existing charging estate for commercial fleet users.
Why it matters
The partnership demonstrates how retail charge point operators can unlock additional utilisation and revenue by opening networks to corporate fleets, a model that may appeal to other CPOs seeking to maximise asset returns during off peak hours.
Public EV charging VAT cut could save drivers £389 a year
A proposed reduction in VAT on public EV charging could save drivers up to £389 annually, according to What Car?. The policy change would align public charging VAT rates more closely with the lower domestic rate, addressing a long standing disparity that has made public charging significantly more expensive than home charging. The proposal comes as the UK government reviews taxation policies affecting electric vehicle adoption.
Why it matters
A VAT cut would likely increase demand for public charging infrastructure by improving the cost competitiveness of EVs, potentially accelerating site utilisation rates and revenue projections for CPOs. The policy shift could also influence procurement decisions as fleet operators and local authorities reassess the total cost of ownership calculations that underpin charging network investments.
Bristol installs 150 lamppost EV charge points in areas with low off-street parking
Bristol City Council has installed 150 new on-street EV charge points at upgraded lamppost bases, targeting areas with few driveways to serve residents without off-street parking. The rollout was delivered in partnership with Ameresco and Bristol City Leap, with lampposts upgraded in advance to enable installation within a few hours per site. Chargers are now live for public use, with pricing and location details available via the Fuuse app.
Why it matters
The lamppost model offers a rapid, low-disruption deployment pathway for councils addressing residential charging gaps, and the partnership structure between the local authority, an energy services contractor and a city energy programme may inform similar procurement frameworks elsewhere in the UK.
Electric Vehicles
Aberdeen to sell 25 hydrogen buses after BP joint venture ends and year long park up
Aberdeen City Council is preparing to sell its fleet of 25 hydrogen powered double decker buses, which have been parked for over a year following the collapse of a joint venture with BP. The 60 seat Wrightbus vehicles, which entered service in early 2021 as a world first hydrogen double deck fleet, have been out of service since late 2024 due to delays in repairs at hydrogen refuelling sites in Kittybrewster and Cove. The project cost approximately £8.3 million, funded by Aberdeen City Council, the Scottish Government and the European Union, with an investment of around £500,000 per vehicle within the FCH JU project.
Why it matters
The sale underscores infrastructure risk in alternative fuel procurements: even capital intensive fleets can strand if refuelling partnerships fail. Councils and operators evaluating hydrogen or other novel powertrains will weigh this £8.3 million write off against the maturity of battery electric charging networks.
EV transition moves beyond affluent early adopters, Fleet World reports
Fleet World notes that electric vehicle adoption in the United Kingdom is now reaching mainstream buyers beyond the affluent early adopter segment. The publication highlights this shift as evidence of broader market penetration for EVs. No specific uptake figures or timelines were provided in the available excerpt.
Why it matters
Wider demographic adoption signals growing demand for public and workplace charging infrastructure beyond premium residential installations. Procurement teams and charge point operators should prepare for more diverse site requirements as the customer base broadens.