Daily EV news · UK · 18 March 2026
EV Charging
Ionity opens two ultra-rapid charging hubs in Scottish Highlands
Ionity has launched two new charging sites in Scotland, one near Fort William (within ten miles of Ben Nevis) and another in Inverness beside Inshes Primary School. Both hubs offer ultra-rapid charging up to 400kW at 46p per kWh and form part of Ionity's UK network strategy, which spaces sites approximately 80 miles apart along major routes. The rollout follows the company's recent opening of its most urban UK hub in Aston, Birmingham, last month.
Why it matters
The Scottish Highlands sites extend Ionity's high-powered corridor to tourist and remote areas, supporting the Scottish government's infrastructure goals and enabling long-distance electric travel from Ben Nevis to Cornwall. For CPOs and planners, the 80 mile spacing model and 400kW capacity set a benchmark for rural ultra-rapid deployment.
Ohme launches Park&Charge feature for shared residential EV charging with landlord management platform
UK home charging firm Ohme has introduced a Park&Charge function on its ePod S charger, enabling landlords and building managers to administer shared charge points via a management platform while residents access charging through the Ohme app. The feature allows property managers to set pricing, add or remove users and monitor usage, while drivers can pay, start sessions and view activity. The launch coincides with the UK government extending its OZEV grant for landlords and renters to £500 per charge point.
Why it matters
The product addresses a longstanding barrier to EV adoption in multi occupancy buildings by offering a turnkey management solution for shared charging infrastructure. Property developers and landlords now have a commercially viable option for meeting resident charging demand while controlling costs and access, potentially accelerating procurement in the residential sector.
CAR Magazine tests portable EV chargers for on-the-go battery top-ups
CAR Magazine has published a test of portable EV chargers, evaluating devices that allow drivers to charge their vehicles in locations without fixed infrastructure. The review examines products designed to provide emergency or supplementary charging capacity. The publication targets UK motorists considering portable charging solutions as part of their EV ownership toolkit.
Why it matters
Portable chargers represent a niche but growing segment of the charging market, potentially reducing range anxiety and complementing fixed infrastructure. For CPOs and fleet operators, understanding portable charging demand may inform service offerings and emergency support strategies.
South Tyneside Council to install new EV charging points along South Shields seafront
South Tyneside Council is rolling out new EV charging points along the seafront in South Shields. The initiative aims to boost charging infrastructure in the coastal area, supporting EV adoption for residents and visitors. The announcement was reported by the council.
Why it matters
Seafront and destination charging deployments signal growing local authority commitment to public chargepoint coverage in leisure locations, opening opportunities for CPOs and installers targeting council procurement frameworks.
Electric Vehicles
KGM launches Musso EV pick-up in UK from £42,495
KGM has introduced the Musso EV, an electric pick-up truck, to the UK market with pricing starting at £42,495. The launch adds a battery electric option to the commercial vehicle segment, targeting fleet and business buyers. AM-online reported the manufacturer news, marking KGM's entry into the electric light commercial vehicle space.
Why it matters
Electric pick-ups expand the pool of depot-based fleet vehicles that require workplace charging infrastructure, creating procurement opportunities for CPOs serving commercial and logistics customers. The sub-£45,000 price point may accelerate fleet electrification among SMEs needing utility vehicles with charging needs.
UK zero-emission bus pipeline shows volume but lacks procurement detail
Route One reports that the UK's zero-emission bus pipeline indicates substantial volume of planned procurements, yet specific details remain scarce. The article highlights a gap between announced ambitions for electrified bus fleets and the concrete tender information needed by suppliers and charging infrastructure providers. Publication context suggests ongoing uncertainty in the UK bus decarbonisation programme.
Why it matters
CPOs and charging suppliers need clear procurement timelines and depot specifications to plan infrastructure investments. Without detailed tender schedules and technical requirements, the industry faces difficulty mobilising resources to meet the UK's bus electrification targets.
Bradford Council to complete zero emission bus fleet 18 months ahead of schedule
Bradford Council has announced it will convert its entire bus fleet to zero emission vehicles 18 months earlier than originally planned. The accelerated timeline marks a significant advancement in the council's decarbonisation efforts for public transport in the West Yorkshire city. The move will require expanded charging infrastructure to support the earlier rollout of electric buses across Bradford's network.
Why it matters
The accelerated fleet conversion will bring forward procurement and installation of depot charging infrastructure, creating earlier opportunities for charge point operators and electrical contractors in the Bradford area. Faster rollout timelines may also influence other UK councils to compress their own electrification schedules.
Oxford Mini plant cuts significant number of jobs amid electric vehicle transition delays
BMW's Mini plant in Oxford has cut a significant number of jobs as the site awaits electric vehicle production following a £600 million redevelopment. Electric Mini Coopers are currently made in China through a joint venture, while the electric Countryman is built in Germany, with no EVs presently manufactured at Cowley and no confirmed start date for EV production. A senior Oxford councillor described the automotive sector as facing a low volume crisis, stating the Mini plant has been among the worst affected.
Why it matters
The job losses highlight the operational and workforce challenges legacy automotive sites face during the transition to electric vehicle manufacturing, particularly when production shifts to other regions. For charging infrastructure planners, delays in domestic EV production may affect the pace and location of charging network expansion tied to manufacturing hubs.
Grid & Energy
UKPN becomes first UK DNO to automate V2G charger connection approvals
UK Power Networks has become the first UK distribution network operator to enable automatic approval for vehicle to grid enabled EV charger connections, which previously required manual assessment. The DNO currently automatically approves about 80% of low carbon technology applications within seconds, including standard EV chargers, heat pumps, domestic battery storage and solar PV. V2G chargers will now receive the same instant approval if they have been type tested by the Energy Networks Association and meet UKPN's network requirements.
Why it matters
Automating V2G connection approvals removes a significant regulatory bottleneck that has slowed deployment in the UK and Europe, potentially accelerating procurement timelines for charge point operators planning bidirectional charging projects. Faster approvals reduce project risk and administrative costs for installers and fleet operators seeking to deploy V2G technology at scale.
Policy & Market
UK government EV grants for businesses remain available in 2026, Stable Vehicle Contracts reports
Stable Vehicle Contracts has published guidance on government EV grants accessible to UK businesses in 2026, highlighting potential savings of thousands of pounds. The article outlines current grant schemes designed to reduce upfront costs for commercial electric vehicle adoption. It provides practical information for fleet operators and businesses evaluating EV procurement in the coming year.
Why it matters
Understanding available grant funding helps CPOs and fleet managers reduce capital expenditure on charging infrastructure and vehicles, directly improving project economics. Businesses planning 2026 EV deployments can factor these incentives into procurement timelines and budget forecasts.
Welsh Government commits £115.9m to sustainable transport infrastructure
The Welsh Government has announced a £115.9 million investment programme aimed at modernising and decarbonising transport infrastructure across Wales. The funding package will support projects that advance sustainable and low carbon transport solutions. Details of specific allocations and project timelines have not yet been disclosed in the Public Sector Executive announcement.
Why it matters
This substantial capital commitment signals potential procurement opportunities for EV charging infrastructure providers and related sustainable transport technology suppliers in Wales. The funding scale suggests multiple contract packages may emerge as the Welsh Government works to meet its decarbonisation targets.