Daily EV news · UK · 19 March 2026
EV Charging
Arnold Clark opens six ultra-rapid chargers in York at 55p per kWh
Arnold Clark Charge has launched six ultra-rapid EV chargers at its York Motorstore on York Business Park, pricing power at 55 pence per kWh against a UK average of 76 pence. The public site supports contactless and app payments and forms part of the motor dealer's nationwide charging rollout. The chargers are designed to reduce downtime for local and long distance drivers.
Why it matters
The 55 pence per kWh tariff undercuts the national average by 28 per cent, signalling competitive pressure on charge point operators as motor retail groups expand their own networks. Strategic placement at dealership sites offers a replicable model for scaling ultra-rapid infrastructure without standalone land acquisition.
Labour urged to change planning rules to help UK households without driveways charge EVs
Birmingham Live reports that Labour is being pressed to amend regulations affecting households without off street parking, a group that faces barriers to home EV charging. The call comes as the UK pushes toward wider electric vehicle adoption, with many terraced and flat dwellers unable to install private chargepoints. The article highlights the policy gap for residents who rely on kerbside or public infrastructure.
Why it matters
Any regulatory shift to support on street charging or pavement gullies would open new procurement opportunities for local authorities and charge point operators targeting dense urban areas. It also signals potential government funding or mandates that could accelerate rollout timelines for kerbside networks.
UK publishes street works permit guidance for EV charger installations
TransportXtra reports that new guidance on street works permits for electric vehicle charger installations has been published in the United Kingdom. The guidance aims to streamline the permitting process for charge point operators deploying infrastructure on public highways. No specific figures or implementation dates were provided in the available excerpt.
Why it matters
Clearer permit rules can reduce deployment delays and costs for CPOs installing on street chargers, potentially accelerating rollout timelines and improving project economics for public charging networks.
EG on The Move loses planning appeal for Glasgow Airport forecourt site
EG on The Move has lost a planning appeal for a proposed forecourt development at Glasgow Airport, according to Forecourt Trader. The decision blocks the company's plans to build on the airport site. No further details on the scale or scope of the proposed development were provided in the available information.
Why it matters
The refusal removes a potential high footfall charging location from the UK pipeline and signals planning risk for airport forecourt schemes, which are often seen as premium sites for EV infrastructure.
TotalEnergies installs 170 charge points across 80 Camden sites, bringing London total to 3,000
TotalEnergies has deployed 170 new EV charge points spanning 80 locations in the London Borough of Camden, with power outputs ranging from 22 kW to 100 kW and 18 units rated at 100 kW. The rollout, powered entirely by renewable energy and priced from 43p per kWh, lifts the operator's London footprint to 3,000 charge points, including 500 dedicated bays in Camden. Camden Borough Council cited the expansion as supporting its Climate Action Plan and Net Zero targets.
Why it matters
The 80 site deployment demonstrates how a major CPO scales urban on street and car park infrastructure to serve mixed fleets and residents, while the 43p per kWh tariff and 100 kW rapid units set competitive benchmarks for London procurement. TotalEnergies' 3,000 point London network now offers a reference case for boroughs tendering similar rollouts.
Allego opens two 150 kW chargers near Heathrow Airport
Allego UK has installed a new ultra-fast charging site at Radisson RED Hotel near Heathrow Airport, featuring two 150 kW chargers with four sockets in total. The site enables charging in as little as 20 minutes and is designed to serve drivers travelling to and from the airport. Heathrow currently has no public EV charging facilities within its airport car parks.
Why it matters
The installation addresses a charging gap at one of the UK's busiest travel hubs, where airport car parks lack public EV infrastructure. For CPOs and site developers, high-traffic airport corridors represent a growing opportunity as EV adoption increases among travellers and commercial fleets.
Wales EV charger grant rises to £500 per point from April 2026
The UK Department for Transport and Office for Zero Emission Vehicles have increased the EV charge point grant from £350 to £500, effective April 2026 through March 2027. The scheme targets renters, flat owners, landlords, households without driveways, and businesses across Wales, with the grant now covering close to half of typical installation costs. Home charging users could see running costs drop to as little as 2p per mile, according to the Department for Transport.
Why it matters
The 40% grant increase lowers capital barriers for residential and workplace installations, potentially expanding the addressable market for charge point operators and installers serving multi occupancy dwellings and commercial sites in Wales. Procurement teams should factor the April 2026 start date into project timelines to maximise client subsidy eligibility.
Electric Vehicles
Peterborough bus operator cuts carbon footprint with electric fleet expansion
A Peterborough bus operator has reduced its carbon emissions through the deployment of electric buses, according to the Peterborough Telegraph. The article highlights the operator's transition to zero emission vehicles as part of efforts to lower environmental impact in the local transport network. Specific fleet numbers and emission reduction figures were not detailed in the available excerpt.
Why it matters
Electric bus rollouts by municipal operators signal growing demand for depot charging infrastructure and can inform CPOs and contractors bidding on public transport electrification tenders. The Peterborough case adds to the UK's regional bus decarbonisation pipeline, relevant for firms tracking procurement opportunities outside major cities.
Grid & Energy
Nissan and Motability Operations launch Vehicle-to-Grid partnership for British-built LEAF to cut EV running costs
Nissan and Motability Operations have announced a strategic partnership to explore how Vehicle-to-Grid technology could reduce electricity costs for EV drivers using the British-built Nissan LEAF manufactured in Sunderland. The V2G system allows electricity stored in EV batteries to be exported back to the grid during high-demand periods, enabling drivers to charge when electricity is cheaper and sell stored energy when prices are higher. At scale, the technology could reduce pressure on the grid during peak periods and lower overall system costs.
Why it matters
This partnership signals growing commercial interest in V2G as a cost-reduction tool for fleet operators and could influence procurement decisions for organisations evaluating total cost of ownership. The focus on British manufacturing and grid-support capabilities may also shape future policy incentives and infrastructure requirements for V2G-capable charging installations.
Policy & Market
Shell urges UK government to grant electric vehicles bus lane access and free parking to meet ZEV mandate
Shell has submitted evidence to MPs calling on the Labour government to introduce incentives including bus lane access, free parking, discounted tolls, and £3,750 grants for second hand electric vehicle buyers to support the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate. The oil company described electric vehicles as the dominant solution for cutting transport emissions but warned that additional measures are needed to keep the UK on track with its decarbonisation targets. Shell's submission advocated for a technology neutral approach combining electrification and low carbon fuels to achieve stated emissions trajectories.
Why it matters
New incentives such as bus lane access and parking benefits could significantly influence fleet purchasing decisions and workplace charging demand, while second hand EV grants may accelerate the replacement cycle for commercial vehicles. The policy push from a major fuel supplier signals growing industry consensus that stronger government intervention is needed to meet ZEV mandate targets, which directly affects charging infrastructure rollout timelines.