Daily EV news · UK · 25 March 2026
EV Charging
Glasgow Casey's opens four 400 kW fast chargers under Kentucky NEVI programme
A Casey's convenience store in Glasgow, Kentucky has opened four fast charging ports, each capable of delivering up to 400 kW, as the sixth NEVI funded site in the state. The project received 706,000 dollars in May 2024 through Team Kentucky's EV Charging Program, with Francis Energy building and operating the equipment. Five other NEVI sites are already live in Berea, Grayson, Hazard, Richmond and Sparta as Kentucky expands its federally funded charging network.
Why it matters
The 706,000 dollar award and 400 kW per port specification offer a benchmark for NEVI project costs and technical standards in rural US corridors. Francis Energy's role as operator shows the build, own, operate model gaining traction in state led programmes, relevant for CPOs tracking public sector procurement patterns.
Multi-energy charging hub for electric vans and trucks planned near Dartford Crossing
Aegis Energy has confirmed plans for a major charging and refuelling hub 1.4 miles from the Dartford Crossing at the former Littlebrook Power Station, targeting fleet operations on the M25 corridor. The site will offer high-speed electric charging alongside bio-CNG and HVO, with capacity for dozens of vehicles simultaneously, plus secure parking and driver welfare facilities. A planning application is due in 2026, with stakeholder engagement to follow.
Why it matters
The hub addresses a critical infrastructure gap on one of the UK's busiest logistics routes, linking London, the Midlands and the Port of Dover where thousands of commercial vehicles pass daily. For procurement teams and charge point operators, it signals a strategic multi-energy approach to fleet decarbonisation at a high-demand freight interchange.
Urban Fox wins Suffolk County Council contract for on-street EV charging network
Urban Fox has been awarded a contract by Suffolk County Council to deliver an on-street electric vehicle charging network across the county. The announcement was reported via Balfour Beatty news channels, though specific details on the number of charge points, investment value or deployment timeline were not disclosed in the available information. The contract represents a public sector procurement win for Urban Fox in the UK local authority charging infrastructure market.
Why it matters
This award signals continued local authority investment in residential on-street charging solutions, a key segment for CPOs targeting kerbside networks. The Suffolk contract adds to the pipeline of council-led charging procurements across England, offering potential subcontracting or supply opportunities for hardware and installation providers.
Urban Fox (uk) · Balfour Beatty (uk) · Suffolk County Council (uk) · Source
Electric Vehicles
Greater Manchester orders 55 more electric buses for Bee Network
Greater Manchester has ordered 55 additional electric buses for its Bee Network public transport system. The procurement expands the region's zero emission bus fleet as part of its integrated transport rollout. The order was reported by the Leigh Journal.
Why it matters
The 55 bus order signals continued depot electrification and charging infrastructure demand across Greater Manchester's expanding Bee Network, creating opportunities for charge point operators and depot energy suppliers.
Highland Council deploys first all-electric bus for Inverness schools and public routes
Highland Council has introduced its first fully electric bus, a 46 seat wheelchair accessible coach, to serve home to school transport, public routes and internal school hires in Inverness. The authority expects the vehicle to cut carbon emissions and fuel costs while delivering quieter journeys. From 6 April, the council will also launch a £5 city day rider ticket for unlimited travel on its urban bus network.
Why it matters
The deployment signals a Scottish local authority beginning fleet electrification across mixed duty cycles, combining education and public transport. Operators and suppliers targeting council tenders should note the emphasis on accessibility, multi-use flexibility and fare integration to drive ridership.
£18M investment to accelerate electric bus rollout in Scotland
First Bus UK has announced an £18 million investment to speed up the deployment of electric buses across Scotland. The funding will support the expansion of zero emission bus fleets in Scottish cities and regions. The announcement was reported via Google News.
Why it matters
This capital injection signals growing procurement opportunities for charging infrastructure providers as Scotland's bus operators electrify their fleets. CPOs and installers should monitor depot charging tenders linked to this rollout.
Hull launches electric bus revolution with Shock the Dock programme
Hull City Council has begun its electric bus rollout under the Shock the Dock initiative, marking the start of the city's transition to zero emission public transport. The programme was discovered via Google News coverage of the council's plans.
Why it matters
Municipal electric bus programmes drive demand for depot charging infrastructure and associated grid upgrades, creating procurement opportunities for charging hardware suppliers and electrical contractors in the UK market.
McGills Group seeks legal advice after £4.3 million ScotZEB3 bid rejected
McGills Group, the UK's largest independent bus operator, is taking legal advice after Transport Scotland rejected its £4.3 million application to purchase 33 zero emission buses from Falkirk based Alexander Dennis Limited under the third round of the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund. The £45 million ScotZEB3 fund was instead awarded to five other operators, with coach firm Ember receiving the largest share of £13 million for 100 Chinese electric coaches. McGills chair Ralph Roberts questioned the fairness and transparency of the allocation, noting the original purpose was to convert diesel buses to zero emission vehicles, while Ember's award would not replace any diesel vehicles.
Why it matters
The legal challenge highlights procurement transparency concerns in public EV funding schemes and raises questions about how zero emission bus grants are scored when expansion projects compete against diesel replacement programmes. The outcome also underscores the competitive dynamics between domestic manufacturers like ADL and international suppliers in UK transport electrification tenders.
Alexander Dennis wins orders for 123 buses across UK operators
Alexander Dennis has secured orders for 123 buses from multiple UK operators, according to Daily Business. The announcement confirms fresh procurement activity in the bus sector, though the report does not specify individual operator names, delivery timelines or the split between diesel, hybrid and zero-emission variants. The orders add to the manufacturer's UK order book as local authorities and transport groups continue fleet renewal programmes.
Why it matters
Bus procurement often runs in parallel with depot charging infrastructure tenders, so fleet orders of this scale can signal upcoming EV charging opportunities if any portion involves battery electric vehicles. Tracking OEM announcements helps CPOs and installers identify operators planning depot upgrades and grid connection work.
UK commits £1 billion to van and truck grants plus £170 million depot charging boost
The Department for Transport has confirmed funding for plug-in van and truck grants in the next financial year, offering up to £81,000 off zero emission trucks (40% of cost) and up to £5,000 off electric vans. A £170 million expansion of the depot charging scheme will cover up to 70% of infrastructure costs, with businesses and local authorities able to claim up to £1 million per site for van, coach and eHGV charging installations. Decarbonisation minister Keir Mather said the £1 billion package supports the logistics sector, which is worth £170 billion and employs 2.7 million people.
Why it matters
The depot charging uplift and extended grant windows give fleet operators and charge point operators clearer visibility for multi-year infrastructure planning. Public sector and commercial depot projects can now budget for larger installations with 70% capital support, potentially accelerating tender pipelines for heavy duty charging.
Policy & Market
Scottish Government allocates £17.8m to EV transition support
The Scottish Government has confirmed £17.8 million in funding to support the transition to electric vehicles. The announcement was reported by TransportXtra, though specific allocation details for charging infrastructure versus other EV measures were not disclosed in the available excerpt. The funding forms part of Scotland's broader decarbonisation strategy.
Why it matters
Public capital of this scale can unlock procurement opportunities for charge point operators and infrastructure suppliers bidding on Scottish public sector or grant aided projects. The sum signals continued government commitment to EV rollout, potentially shaping tender pipelines over the coming financial year.
Car salesman criticises UK electric vehicle mandate in Telegraph opinion piece
A car salesman has written in The Telegraph arguing that the UK's electric vehicle mandate is ineffective, though the article does not provide specific sales figures or policy details in the excerpt. The piece appears in the context of ongoing debate over the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate, which requires manufacturers to sell increasing percentages of electric cars each year. The opinion reflects frontline retail perspectives on EV adoption challenges.
Why it matters
Dealer sentiment can influence how EVs are presented to customers and may signal gaps between policy targets and showroom reality. For charging operators, understanding sales resistance helps identify where infrastructure investment or customer education may be needed to support the mandate's goals.
Poole ranks 10th in UK for EV friendliness with 66 chargers per 100,000 residents
Poole has been named the 10th most electric vehicle friendly location in the UK by E.ON UK, scoring 65.4 out of 100. The coastal town has 66.2 EV chargers per 100,000 people, with 36.47 per cent offering 50kW or above, and leads the study with 95.32 per cent of homes for sale providing off-street parking. The analysis assessed public and fast charging points, off-street parking availability, and electricity costs.
Why it matters
The study highlights Poole as a strong market for EV infrastructure investment, combining high off-street parking rates with a balanced charging network. For charge point operators and installers, the data signals demand for both public fast chargers and home installation opportunities in areas with similar residential parking profiles.