Daily EV news · UK · 31 March 2026
EV Charging
UK public EV chargers now outnumber petrol pumps nearly two to one, government campaign reveals
The UK now has more than 118,000 public EV charge points compared with around 60,800 fuel pumps, according to new data released alongside a Department for Transport backed Electric Road Trip campaign fronted by Jodie Kidd. Despite the infrastructure milestone, 71 per cent of adults surveyed still believe petrol pumps outnumber EV chargers, highlighting a significant perception gap.
Why it matters
The figures confirm that public charging infrastructure has reached a scale that should support procurement confidence and long distance fleet electrification, though the perception gap suggests CPOs and fleet operators may need to communicate network availability more effectively to end users and stakeholders.
Ultra-rapid EV charging hub opens at Sainsbury's Gateway Retail Park in Lowestoft
A new electric vehicle charging hub has launched at the Sainsbury's store on Tower Road at Gateway Retail Park in south Lowestoft, Suffolk. The facility, operated by Source, provides ultra-rapid charging infrastructure at the retail location. The hub was opened by Deepa Chandrasekaran, managing director at Source.
Why it matters
The deployment adds ultra-rapid charging capacity at a high-footfall retail site, reflecting the ongoing build-out of destination charging infrastructure in UK market towns. For procurement teams and site hosts, it demonstrates the viability of supermarket car parks as anchor locations for rapid charging hubs.
Hull Royal Infirmary secures £733,000 for emergency vehicle charging expansion
Hull Royal Infirmary has received £733,000 from the Department of Transport's Chargepoint Accelerator Scheme to install one of the largest emergency vehicle charging facilities on an acute hospital site. The project includes eight fast chargers for ambulances at the Emergency Department, two stations at Castle Hill cardiology unit, and four solar and wind powered charging points at the day surgery unit. The scheme forms part of a £10 million national investment in NHS fleet infrastructure, expected to save £59 million in fuel and maintenance costs across the UK.
Why it matters
This procurement demonstrates growing public sector demand for high capacity charging infrastructure tailored to emergency fleet operations, with the project also piloting hybrid off grid technology through the FEVER research programme. The scale of investment and focus on renewable powered charging points signals an emerging specification trend for hospital and blue light fleet installations.
Scottish Government allocates £17.8 million for EV charging expansion in 2026 to 2027
The Scottish Government has announced £17.8 million in funding for 2026 to 2027 to expand public, workplace and home EV charging infrastructure across Scotland. Energy Saving Trust will deliver the schemes, which include targeted support for rural areas, low income households and residents without off street parking. The funding forms part of an £85 million package for EV incentives and charging support announced in the January 2026 to 2027 Scottish Budget.
Why it matters
The multi year commitment signals sustained procurement opportunities for charge point operators and installers across public, workplace and residential segments, with dedicated streams for underserved markets including rural and low income communities. Contractors should prepare bids that address the targeted support criteria to access this substantial public funding pipeline.
Hundreds object to EV charging hub plan near Sheffield ancient woodland
Hundreds of residents have lodged objections to proposals for an electric vehicle charging hub close to ancient woodland near Sheffield. The Star reports local opposition centres on environmental and heritage concerns, though the article does not specify the site's capacity or the developer. The planning application has drawn significant public attention in the South Yorkshire area.
Why it matters
Site selection disputes can delay or derail charging infrastructure projects, particularly where environmental sensitivities clash with grid access or highway locations. CPOs and developers need robust community engagement strategies to navigate planning objections and secure consent for hub scale deployments.
Isle of Wight Council awards char.gy contract to install over 1,500 EV chargepoints under LEVI scheme
Isle of Wight Council has awarded char.gy a long term infrastructure contract to install more than 1,500 public EV chargepoints across the island, targeting residents without off street parking. The rollout is backed by £1.6 million from the Government's Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund plus private investment, with no council budget contribution required. Installation partner Joju will support delivery alongside social value initiatives including work experience and school engagement.
Why it matters
This LEVI funded award demonstrates how local authorities can deploy large scale on street charging networks without direct budget exposure, offering a procurement model for councils seeking to expand residential charging access. The scale of the rollout and the inclusion of social value commitments may inform tender evaluation criteria for similar public charging frameworks.
Electric Vehicles
Alexander Dennis to cut 115 manufacturing jobs in UK bus production
Bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis plans to axe 115 skilled manufacturing positions, according to Unite the Union. The cuts affect the company's UK production workforce. No further details on site locations or timelines were provided in the available announcement.
Why it matters
Workforce reductions at a major bus OEM may signal shifts in UK public transport procurement volumes or production strategy, potentially affecting the supply chain for electric bus orders and charging infrastructure deployment timelines.