Daily EV news · UK · 16 March 2026
EV Charging
Essex secures £8.3 million in LEVI funding for EV charger rollout
Essex County Council has been awarded £8.3 million through the UK government's Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) funding programme to expand public EV charging infrastructure. The funding will support the deployment of on-street and destination chargers across the county. This allocation forms part of the wider LEVI scheme designed to help local authorities accelerate charger installation in areas where residents lack off-street parking.
Why it matters
The £8.3 million award creates immediate procurement opportunities for charge point operators and installers bidding on Essex's rollout contracts. LEVI funding typically requires councils to tender infrastructure projects within tight timescales, making this a near-term pipeline signal for the UK supply chain.
Bristol City Council opens applications for cross-pavement gully EV charging trial
Bristol City Council has launched a trial seeking applications for cross-pavement gully EV charging installations. The scheme aims to test a solution for residents without off-street parking who currently face barriers to home charging. The trial forms part of the council's efforts to expand on-street charging infrastructure across the city.
Why it matters
Gully-integrated chargers offer a lower-cost, less intrusive alternative to traditional bollard units for dense urban streets, potentially accelerating rollout timelines and reducing civil works for CPOs targeting residential areas without driveways.
Judge rules business rates for EV chargers unfair, potentially cutting charging costs
A UK judge has ruled that the current business rates applied to electric vehicle charging infrastructure are unfair, a decision that could lead to lower charging costs for drivers. The Times reports the judgment may force a reassessment of the tax treatment of EV charging sites, which have faced higher rates than comparable facilities. The ruling comes as the UK expands its public charging network to support the 2030 petrol and diesel car sales ban.
Why it matters
Lower business rates could improve the financial case for charge point operators and site hosts, potentially accelerating network rollout. Procurement teams may see more competitive bids if operators face reduced tax burdens on new installations.
Paua adds 16 shared depot sites at Motus and Ford & Slater for multi-brand truck charging
Paua has partnered with DAF dealers Motus and Ford & Slater to bring 16 new truck charging locations into its shared depot network across the UK. The two dealers have supplied 20% of electric trucks in the UK's Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator Programme, and the depots will accept electric trucks from any manufacturer. Chargers have been installed by Envevo at Motus sites and by EO at Ford & Slater locations.
Why it matters
Shared depot charging expands accessible infrastructure for commercial fleets without requiring operators to build their own facilities, improving charger utilisation and route planning. The multi-brand access model signals a shift toward open networks that can support broader HGV electrification beyond single-manufacturer ecosystems.
More Fuel Group partners with Morrisons to offer loyalty points for EV charging
More Fuel Group has partnered with Morrisons to allow customers to earn loyalty points when charging electric vehicles at its network. The scheme integrates EV charging with the supermarket's existing rewards programme, though specific point values and rollout timelines were not disclosed. Business Motoring reported the tie up, which aims to drive footfall and dwell time at Morrisons locations equipped with chargers.
Why it matters
Loyalty point integration can differentiate charge point operators in competitive retail settings and may influence site selection for grocery anchored developments. The model also signals how CPOs are bundling charging with broader consumer incentives to improve utilisation and customer stickiness.
RAW Charging and Landsec commit £24.5m for 1,000 bays across 28 UK retail sites, including 200 at Bluewater
RAW Charging has partnered with property operator Landsec on a 20 year deal to install 1,000 charging bays at 28 retail destinations, including Bluewater in Kent, Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth and White Rose Shopping Centre in Leeds. The £24.5m programme will deploy 554 AC fast chargers and 446 DC rapid chargers, with 200 bays planned for Bluewater alone, starting with a 24 bay ultra rapid hub this summer and the remainder due in 2027 and 2028. The partnership also includes a replace and upgrade programme for legacy infrastructure that no longer meets current speed, reliability or accessibility standards.
Why it matters
A single retail landlord committing 1,000 bays over 28 sites signals sustained demand for destination charging tenders and creates a multi year pipeline for hardware suppliers and installers. The explicit focus on replacing legacy kit highlights a growing secondary market in retrofit and upgrade work alongside new build rollout.
Be.EV outlines UK charging network expansion strategy
Be.EV, a UK charge point operator, has detailed its approach to growing its public charging network across the United Kingdom. The company discussed its rollout plans and operational strategy in an interview with EV Magazine. Specific deployment figures or timelines were not disclosed in the available excerpt.
Why it matters
Understanding how established CPOs like Be.EV structure their expansion helps procurement teams benchmark rollout strategies and identify potential partnership models for local authority or commercial site deployments.
Electric Vehicles
Devon County Council secures £7.53 million for 90 zero emission buses under ZEBRA expansion
Devon County Council has been awarded £7.53 million from the Department for Transport to deploy approximately 90 zero emission buses, replacing older diesel vehicles across the county. The funding forms part of an expansion of existing Zero Emission Bus Areas (ZEBRA) projects in the south west and south east of England. Stagecoach South West will work with the council to roll out the new electric fleet, which aims to improve air quality and support journeys for work, education and healthcare.
Why it matters
The award signals continued central government backing for regional bus electrification, creating procurement opportunities for vehicle OEMs and charging infrastructure suppliers across Devon. Operators and CPOs should monitor ZEBRA expansion tenders, as the programme demonstrates a repeatable funding model for fleet replacement at scale.
Vauxhall sets Astra Electric at £29,995, matching hybrid and PHEV prices across hatchback and estate bodies
Vauxhall has announced price parity for all powertrains in its updated Astra range, with the electric version starting at £29,995, a £5,000 reduction from the previous entry model. The 2026 Astra Electric features a 58.3kWh battery offering up to 281 miles of range, 22 miles more than before, and introduces vehicle to load capability and battery preconditioning. The pricing strategy follows the Frontera launch, which also matched EV and ICE prices, and applies equally to hatchback and estate bodystyles with prices rising to £33,995.
Why it matters
Price parity removes a key barrier to fleet electrification and may accelerate workplace charging demand as employers face simpler total cost of ownership calculations. The sub £30,000 entry point and estate option broaden the addressable market for destination and depot charging operators serving family and business users.
Oxford electric bus rollout cuts roadside nitrogen dioxide by up to 24 per cent in high traffic areas
A £82.5 million deal in 2023 between Oxfordshire County Council, government, Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach funded 159 battery electric buses serving Oxford. Provisional data from the NIHR funded Public Health Intervention Responsive Studies Team shows the fleet reduced citywide roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations by an average of 10 per cent from 2023 to 2024, with reductions of up to 24 per cent in high bus traffic areas such as St Aldates and High Street. Traffic related noise in central Oxford fell by an average of 5.1 decibels.
Why it matters
The study provides quantified air quality and noise outcomes from a major public transport electrification project, offering evidence for councils and operators planning similar fleet transitions. The scale of the deployment and measurable pollution reductions within one year demonstrate the pace at which electric bus rollouts can deliver environmental benefits in urban centres.