Daily EV news · UK · 1 April 2026
EV Charging
UK government on track to miss 2030 EV chargepoint target
The UK government is projected to fall short of its 2030 electric vehicle chargepoint installation target, according to a report from localgov.co.uk. The article highlights concerns over the pace of infrastructure rollout needed to support the planned phase out of new petrol and diesel car sales. No specific deployment figures or revised targets were disclosed in the excerpt.
Why it matters
A shortfall in public charging infrastructure could delay fleet electrification plans and reduce confidence among local authorities and charge point operators tendering for installation contracts. The gap signals potential policy adjustments or accelerated procurement windows ahead of 2030.
UK raises home and workplace charge point grants to £500, streamlines eight schemes into five
From 1 April 2025, the UK Government has increased grants for workplace and home chargers from £350 to up to £500, covering nearly half of a typical installation cost through March 2027. The Department for Transport has consolidated eight grant types into five: the charge point grant for renters and flat owners, the grant for residential landlords, the grant for households with on street parking, the workplace charging scheme, and a schools grant offering up to £2,000 (extended for one year). Three schemes close at the end of the financial year, though overall funding for charge point grants remains unchanged.
Why it matters
The higher grant ceiling and simplified structure should make it easier for landlords, fleet operators and workplace site owners to budget installations and navigate funding, potentially accelerating project pipelines. CPOs targeting residential and commercial segments now have clearer subsidy pathways to present to clients through March 2027.
Reading MP promotes on-street EV charging scheme for residents
A Member of Parliament in Reading is encouraging local residents to use the town's on-street electric vehicle charging scheme. The initiative aims to support EV adoption among those without off-street parking. The Reading Chronicle reported the MP's call to increase uptake of the publicly available charging infrastructure.
Why it matters
The push highlights ongoing efforts to drive utilisation of installed on-street charge points, a key challenge for councils and charge point operators seeking to justify rollout costs and secure further funding for network expansion.
West Yorkshire submits plans for electric bus depot in Wakefield with 2,000 sq m workshop
Plans have been submitted to redevelop the former Newton Bar transport depot on Leeds Road, Wakefield, into an electric bus facility for West Yorkshire's Weaver Network franchised bus service. The scheme includes demolition of existing buildings and construction of a depot with a 2,000 sq m workshop, 950 sq m of office space, maintenance facilities, charging infrastructure and parking for zero emission buses. A consultation on the proposal is scheduled for 21 April 2026.
Why it matters
The project signals West Yorkshire's commitment to electrifying its franchised bus fleet and creates a procurement pipeline for charging equipment, depot construction and associated electrical infrastructure at scale. The facility's size and scope indicate significant capital investment in regional public transport decarbonisation.
New UK driveway rule takes effect 1 April 2026 for many homes
A new driveway regulation came into force across the UK on 1 April 2026, affecting numerous residential properties, according to the Daily Express. The rule's specific requirements and the number of homes impacted were not detailed in the available excerpt.
Why it matters
Changes to driveway standards can influence where and how charge points are installed at domestic properties, potentially affecting planning requirements or surface specifications for home charging infrastructure.
Braintree Village shopping centre wins approval for EV charging stations in north car park
Braintree District Council has approved plans to install electric vehicle charging stations at Braintree Village shopping centre in Charter Way. The application, submitted in early February, covers chargepoint upstands and supporting electrical equipment including a substation and cabinet infrastructure. The charging stations will be built along the south western edge of the north car park, replacing existing parent and child parking bays.
Why it matters
The approval demonstrates how retail destinations are repurposing existing parking infrastructure to accommodate EV charging, with the trade off between family facilities and charging provision likely to become a recurring planning consideration as demand for chargepoints grows at high footfall sites.
Electric Vehicles
Omoda E5 refresh brings improved dynamics and extended range
Chery's Omoda brand has updated its E5 electric crossover with enhancements to driving dynamics and battery range, according to Shropshire Star. The refresh targets the UK market, where the model competes in the compact electric SUV segment. Specific range and performance figures were not disclosed in the available excerpt.
Why it matters
Product updates in the affordable EV segment influence charging infrastructure planning as improved range and market penetration affect utilisation patterns at public charge points. Fleet and retail charging operators track model refreshes to anticipate demand shifts across vehicle classes.
Welch Group workshop explores commercial case for electric HGVs
Motor Transport reports that Welch Group held a workshop examining the commercial viability of electric heavy goods vehicles. The session focused on the business case for transitioning HGV fleets to electric power. No specific figures on fleet size, investment levels or deployment timelines were disclosed in the available excerpt.
Why it matters
Fleet operators evaluating electric HGV adoption signal potential demand for depot charging infrastructure and high power grid connections. Workshops of this nature often precede formal procurement processes for vehicles and associated charging equipment.
Alexander Dennis reviews Larbert factory closure, may retain 200 jobs in Scotland
Scottish bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis (ADL) is reconsidering plans to close its Larbert factory, potentially saving up to 200 jobs, though its Falkirk site will still shut. The company announced in June 2025 that up to 400 roles were at risk as it planned to consolidate all production at its Scarborough plant in England, citing challenging market dynamics and rising competition from Chinese electric bus makers. ADL has developed in-house battery electric buses since 2022 after a long partnership with BYD.
Why it matters
The partial reversal signals ADL's attempt to balance cost efficiency with political and workforce pressures in its home market, while the ongoing shift to Scarborough reflects broader competitive pressure on UK bus OEMs. Procurement teams tracking UK bus supply chains should note potential production capacity changes and the manufacturer's response to Chinese EV bus competition.
Kia EV2 priced from £24,245 as UK reservations open for compact crossover
Kia has opened UK order books for the EV2 compact crossover from 1 April, with prices starting at £24,245 for the Air long range model after a manufacturer discount of £3,750. The model is available in four trim levels with two powertrain options, offering up to 281 miles of range from a 61kWh battery. Kia is awaiting confirmation on whether the EV2 will qualify for the UK Government's Electric Car Grant but is applying its own reservation saving in the interim.
Why it matters
The EV2 enters the affordable compact EV segment alongside the Renault 4 and Ford Puma Gen E, potentially driving demand for workplace and destination charging infrastructure in the sub £30,000 market. Fleet operators and charge point operators may see increased utilisation from drivers of these entry level EVs requiring public and workplace charging access.
Grid & Energy
BBC reports Britain faces major electricity grid overhaul to support net zero transition
The BBC has published a feature examining the scale of work required to upgrade the UK's electricity transmission and distribution networks to accommodate renewable generation and electric vehicle charging. The article highlights infrastructure bottlenecks and the investment needed across the grid to meet decarbonisation targets. It provides context on the challenges facing network operators as electricity demand grows.
Why it matters
Grid capacity constraints directly affect the pace at which new EV charging infrastructure can be connected, with delays in network reinforcement creating queues for charge point operators seeking grid connections. Understanding the national grid upgrade timeline helps CPOs and funders plan site rollouts and anticipate connection costs in their business cases.
Policy & Market
UK raises EV charger grant to £500 but eligibility remains narrow
The UK government has increased its home EV charger grant from £350 to £500, according to Regit. However, the scheme continues to exclude most drivers, as eligibility is limited to residents in flats and rental properties who meet specific criteria. The policy change aims to support those without off street parking, but the majority of UK EV owners remain ineligible for the funding.
Why it matters
The grant increase may modestly boost demand for residential charger installations among eligible multi dwelling units and rental properties, but the narrow scope limits its impact on the broader charge point operator market. Installers and CPOs targeting the residential segment should note that most single dwelling homeowners remain outside the scheme's reach.