Daily EV news · UK · 5 March 2026
EV Charging
Shropshire Council to double public charging network to 1,090 points with £2m government grant
Shropshire Council will install more than 550 new electric vehicle charging points, doubling its existing 540 public chargers, funded by a £2m government grant and private sector investment. The new points will be located on street, in council car parks and on third party land, with a report to cabinet next Wednesday stating the network will be financially self sustaining and generate a modest but growing income stream for the authority. Some funding will support on street charging for residents without driveways.
Why it matters
The doubling of Shropshire's public charging estate signals continued UK local authority procurement activity backed by central government grants, creating opportunities for charge point operators and installers. The self sustaining revenue model and third party land deployment suggest a mixed ownership approach that may shape future tender structures in similar rural and urban mixed authorities.
Islington to install 840 lamp column and fast EV charge points
Islington Council is deploying 840 new EV charge points across the borough, combining lamp column and fast charging infrastructure. The Islington Gazette reports the rollout as part of the council's effort to expand public charging access for residents without off street parking.
Why it matters
The 840 unit deployment represents one of the larger single borough commitments in London, signalling sustained demand for lamp column and kerbside fast charging contracts. Procurement teams and charge point operators should note the scale and mixed speed approach as a template for dense urban rollouts.
Electric Vehicles
First Bus seeks approval for six more charging gantries at Bath depot
First Bus has applied to Bath & North East Somerset Council for permission to install six additional steel gantries to charge electric vehicles at its Bath depot, following planning consent granted last September for 64 ground-mounted chargers and four overhead gantries. The new application involves relocating the bus wash and demolishing the service lane building, with four gantries currently being installed on site. The overhead gantries will allow the depot yard to remain clear during the day for car parking and driver training.
Why it matters
The expansion signals sustained capital investment in depot electrification infrastructure by a major UK bus operator, creating follow-on opportunities for gantry fabrication, installation and grid connection work. Overhead charging systems that free up daytime yard space may become a reference design for other constrained urban depots.
Salisbury to receive 30 new electric buses in transport overhaul
Salisbury is set to introduce 30 new electric buses as part of a landmark transport overhaul. The rollout represents a significant expansion of zero-emission public transport in the area. No specific timeline or operator details were provided in the available information.
Why it matters
The deployment signals growing demand for charging infrastructure to support larger electric bus fleets in UK regional cities, creating procurement opportunities for depot charging solutions and grid connection upgrades.
UK EV registrations fall for second consecutive month as overall new car sales reach 22 year high in February
Electric vehicle registrations in the UK declined for the second month in a row during February, even as total new car sales climbed to their highest February level in 22 years, according to This is Money. The figures highlight a slowdown in EV uptake despite strong overall market performance, though specific registration numbers were not disclosed in the excerpt.
Why it matters
Stalling EV demand may signal weaker near term infrastructure utilisation and could prompt charge point operators to reassess deployment timelines or site selection strategies. Procurement teams should monitor whether this trend affects equipment pricing or supplier capacity planning.
Virgin Media O2 strikes electric van fleet deal with Renault
Virgin Media O2 has signed a deal with Renault to add electric vans to its fleet, according to Fleet News. The agreement forms part of the telecoms operator's broader fleet electrification strategy in the United Kingdom. No specific vehicle numbers or delivery timelines were disclosed in the available excerpt.
Why it matters
Large corporate fleet electrification deals signal sustained demand for workplace and depot charging infrastructure. Telecoms operators with extensive field engineer networks typically require multi-site charging rollouts, creating procurement opportunities for CPOs and installers.
Grid & Energy
Battery storage secures 576 MW in UK top-up capacity market auction
Battery storage projects won 576 MW of contracts in the latest UK capacity market top-up auction, according to ESS News. The auction forms part of the government's mechanism to ensure sufficient electricity generation and storage capacity to meet peak demand. The result underscores growing participation by battery energy storage systems in the UK's capacity market framework.
Why it matters
For EV charging operators, increased grid-scale battery storage can improve network stability and reduce peak demand charges, potentially lowering operating costs for high-power charging sites. The auction outcome signals continued investment in storage infrastructure that supports electrification and renewable integration across the UK.