Daily EV news · UK · 26 March 2026
EV Charging
Transport for Wales gives all 22 councils free access to ChargePoint Navigator planning tool
Transport for Wales has rolled out ChargePoint Navigator to all 22 local authorities in Wales at no cost, marking the first national deployment of the site selection tool outside England. Developed by Field Dynamics, Cenex, ZapMap and UK Power Networks, the platform provides councils with data on grid capacity, pavement widths, parking availability and connection costs to streamline chargepoint installation. Previously adopted by 133 councils mainly in London and South East England, the tool now gives every Welsh authority a common evidence base to support the Wales Electric Vehicle Charging Action Plan.
Why it matters
A unified planning tool across an entire nation reduces procurement fragmentation and helps councils justify site choices with transparent data, potentially accelerating tender pipelines and lowering connection cost surprises for CPOs bidding Welsh projects. The precedent may prompt other devolved administrations to adopt similar national frameworks, shaping how public sector EV infrastructure work is scoped and awarded.
Over half of UK councils struggle to deliver accessible EV charging for disabled drivers, Believ study finds
A Believ study has revealed that 53 per cent of UK councils view balancing accessibility with space constraints as a major challenge when installing EV charge points, rising to 90 per cent of London boroughs. Narrow streets, limited pavement space and a lack of central government guidance are cited as key barriers, with 42 per cent of councils nationally and 60 per cent in London calling for clearer direction. Around 1.35 million disabled drivers in the UK may face increased reliance on public charging as the transition to electric vehicles accelerates.
Why it matters
Procurement teams and charge point operators must factor accessibility compliance into site selection and design from the outset, as over half of local authorities already report delivery constraints. The findings signal potential delays in rollout programmes and underline the need for clearer technical standards to avoid costly retrofits or legal challenges.
Reading Council opens applications for 400 subsidised pavement gullies to enable home EV charging
Reading Borough Council has launched a scheme offering free cable channel equipment to around 400 households without off-street parking, funded by a £202,000 government grant. Residents will receive the pavement gully hardware at no cost but must cover installation and charger expenses, though a separate £500 national charger grant becomes available from 1 April. Nearly half of Reading households lack driveways, making this cross-pavement infrastructure critical to EV adoption in the borough.
Why it matters
The programme creates a replicable model for local authorities tackling the off-street parking barrier, potentially unlocking demand for residential charger installations in dense urban areas. Installers and equipment suppliers should note the split funding structure, where councils subsidise civil works while householders retain responsibility for charger procurement and labour costs.
Electric Vehicles
£5.1m investment brings 13 electric buses to Oxfordshire routes outside Oxford city centre
Oxford Bus Company is deploying 13 new electric buses across Oxfordshire following a £5.1 million investment split between Go-Ahead Group (£3.9 million) and Oxfordshire County Council (£1.2 million from its Vehicle Improvement Fund). The vehicles will serve routes in Abingdon, Great Milton, Wytham, Bicester and Chesterton outside the Oxford SmartZone, with the first batch entering service last week. The council funding draws on a £10 million central government grant for local bus service improvements.
Why it matters
The deployment demonstrates how local authority capital can leverage operator investment to extend zero emission bus coverage beyond city centres, a model relevant to councils planning rural and suburban electrification. It also shows how central government bus improvement grants are being channelled into vehicle procurement rather than infrastructure alone.
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV returns to UK market in May priced from £47,000
Mitsubishi has confirmed the 2026 Outlander PHEV will launch in the UK in May from £46,995, marking the brand's return after five years. The plug-in hybrid SUV offers 304bhp, a 22.7kWh battery delivering around 53 miles of electric range, and over 500 miles total range, with a seven-seat option available for the first time. The model will compete with the Hyundai Tucson, Toyota RAV4, Ford Kuga, Skoda Kodiaq and Peugeot 5008 in the family SUV segment.
Why it matters
The reintroduction of a competitively priced seven-seat PHEV expands fleet and workplace charging demand in the UK's high-volume family SUV market. Mitsubishi's return signals renewed OEM commitment to plug-in hybrids, potentially driving infrastructure requirements at dealerships and destination sites as the brand rebuilds its UK network.