Daily EV news · UK · 3 March 2026
EV Charging
UK EV registrations hit 473,348 in 2025 but infrastructure gaps persist, Carwow study finds
Electric vehicle registrations in the UK reached 473,348 in 2025, representing 23.4% of all new car sales and making Britain Europe's second largest EV market by volume, according to a Carwow study. However, adoption fell short of the 28% Zero Emission Vehicle mandate target for 2025, and the research highlights that charging infrastructure is not expanding uniformly across regions to match rising demand. The study examined local adoption data, charging network coverage, government investment figures and survey insights to assess where EV ownership is strongest and whether infrastructure is keeping pace.
Why it matters
The mismatch between EV uptake and charging infrastructure rollout signals procurement opportunities in underserved areas, particularly as the 2030 petrol and diesel ban approaches. CPOs and local authorities will need to accelerate network deployment to meet the escalating ZEV mandate targets, which rise beyond 28% from 2026 onwards.
The Times reviews home chargers designed to match EV aesthetics
The Times has published a feature examining residential EV chargers that prioritise design to complement the appearance of electric vehicles. The article, distributed via Google News, focuses on the UK market where home charging infrastructure increasingly competes on visual appeal alongside technical specifications. No specific manufacturers, models or sales figures are cited in the available excerpt.
Why it matters
As residential charging becomes a standard requirement for EV adoption, product differentiation through design may influence procurement decisions by housing developers and fleet operators seeking to enhance property appeal or workplace amenity.
National Highways installs incorrect EV charging signage at Liphook Services on A3
National Highways has erected misleading electric vehicle charging signage at Liphook Services on the A3, according to the Haslemere Herald. The agency appears to have installed incorrect directional or informational signs for EV charging facilities at the motorway service area. The error highlights ongoing challenges in standardising wayfinding for charging infrastructure on England's strategic road network.
Why it matters
Accurate signage is critical for driver confidence and utilisation rates at motorway charging hubs. Procurement teams and site operators must ensure that highway authorities coordinate signage specifications with actual charging layouts to avoid confusion and underuse of installed capacity.
Futurice Electric 40 report names Axle Energy top UK eMobility innovator as sector shifts from rollout to grid integration
Digital transformation firm Futurice has published its 2026 Electric 40 report, ranking UK and UK-operating eMobility companies across charging, energy and battery intelligence. Startup Axle Energy, founded in 2023, took first place after connecting more than 100,000 devices to UK energy markets via a single API that turns chargers and home batteries into grid-responsive assets. Octopus Energy placed second, now Britain's largest domestic supplier and operator of the Electroverse roaming platform linking over one million chargers globally. The report arrives as the UK installed almost 90,000 public charge points and registered nearly half a million new battery electric vehicles in 2025.
Why it matters
The ranking signals growing investor and procurement interest in software and aggregation layers that monetise flexibility and vehicle-to-grid services, not just hardware deployment. CPOs evaluating partnerships or white-label energy products now have a curated shortlist of platforms proven to integrate charging with wholesale and balancing markets at scale.
Business Wales announces grant funding for EV charger installations
Business Wales has made grant funding available to support the installation of electric vehicle chargers, according to a Google News listing. The announcement targets businesses seeking to deploy charging infrastructure, though specific funding amounts and eligibility criteria were not detailed in the available excerpt. The programme forms part of wider Welsh Government efforts to expand EV charging access.
Why it matters
Grant schemes lower capital barriers for site hosts and charge point operators planning network expansion in Wales. Procurement teams should monitor application windows and match funding requirements to structure competitive bids for publicly supported installations.
Electric Vehicles
CPD Bodies builds UK's first off-grid commercial vehicle conversion workshop in Stockton-on-Tees
Construction is underway at CPD Bodies' Stockton-on-Tees headquarters on what the firm claims is the UK's first fully off-grid, renewable-powered commercial vehicle conversion workshop. The facility will run primarily on on-site solar generation supported by battery storage and is designed to cut operational carbon emissions by an estimated 62% in its first year. CPD Bodies, founded in 2009, is a light commercial vehicle sales and conversion specialist holding approvals with Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Maxus, Stellantis and other major manufacturers, and has also secured certified green electricity for all remaining workshops from 2026 onwards.
Why it matters
The project signals growing investment in low-carbon manufacturing infrastructure for commercial vehicle conversions, potentially strengthening supply chain sustainability credentials for fleet operators procuring converted EVs and ICE vehicles. CPD's move to off-grid renewable power may set a precedent for other conversion specialists seeking to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions in the UK commercial vehicle sector.
Oxfordshire County Council hosts free EV experience events for residents
Oxfordshire County Council is running events that allow residents to experience electric vehicles at no cost. The initiative aims to familiarise the public with EVs and encourage adoption. Details on the number of events, locations, or vehicle models were not specified in the available information.
Why it matters
Public engagement events can accelerate EV uptake, which in turn drives demand for charging infrastructure procurement and site development across the county. Local authority led initiatives often signal future policy support and funding for charge point operators.
Thatcham Research launches EV Blueprint framework to cut repair costs and prevent write-offs
Thatcham Research has published an EV Blueprint setting eight requirements for the automotive industry to improve electric vehicle assessment, repair and maintenance, aiming to reduce unnecessary write-offs driven by high battery costs. A survey conducted with the Centre for Economics and Business Research found that battery issues remain the top concern for 44.6% of insurers and 41.7% of repair professionals, with batteries representing up to 40% of vehicle value. Repair costs have already fallen 10.7% as workshops gain experience with EV technology.
Why it matters
Lower repair and insurance costs directly affect total cost of ownership for fleet operators and private buyers, which in turn influences EV adoption rates and the business case for charging infrastructure investment. Preventing premature write-offs also supports a healthier second-hand EV market, broadening the customer base for public and workplace charging networks.
Policy & Market
Portsmouth Clean Air Zone to continue despite city-wide air quality improvements
Portsmouth's Clean Air Zone will remain in place for the foreseeable future, even though air quality has improved across the city, according to portsmouth.co.uk. The decision maintains existing restrictions on higher-polluting vehicles entering designated areas. The policy affects commercial vehicle operators and fleet managers planning routes and vehicle upgrades in the region.
Why it matters
Charge point operators and fleet electrification providers should expect sustained demand for EV infrastructure in Portsmouth as the Clean Air Zone continues to incentivise zero-emission vehicle adoption. The policy's continuation signals stable regulatory conditions for long-term charging infrastructure investment in the area.
Reeves Rules Out Fuel Duty and EV VAT Cuts
UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed that the government will not reduce fuel duty or cut VAT on electric vehicles, according to Professional Driver Magazine. The decision maintains the current tax structure for both petrol and diesel vehicles and EVs, despite ongoing calls from industry groups for fiscal incentives to accelerate EV adoption. The announcement provides clarity on the Treasury's near term tax policy affecting transport and charging infrastructure investment.
Why it matters
The ruling removes hopes for VAT relief that could have lowered EV purchase costs and charging tariffs, potentially slowing fleet electrification timelines. CPOs and site hosts must now plan infrastructure rollouts without expecting tax led demand stimulus in the immediate policy cycle.