Daily EV news · UK · 29 April 2026
EV Charging
UK poll shows voters want more charge points as petrol prices rise
A poll reported by BusinessGreen found that UK voters are calling for increased deployment of EV charge points in response to soaring petrol prices. The survey reflects public demand for expanded charging infrastructure as fuel costs climb. The findings were published in the context of ongoing policy discussions around transport electrification.
Why it matters
Public pressure for more charge points can influence local authority procurement priorities and accelerate site acquisition timelines. CPOs may see stronger political backing for planning applications and grid connection requests as voter sentiment shifts.
West Berkshire Council launches electric vehicle charging infrastructure roll-out
West Berkshire Council has announced the deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the local authority area. The council's initiative forms part of broader efforts to expand public charging access in the United Kingdom. No specific site numbers or investment figures were disclosed in the available announcement.
Why it matters
Local authority procurement activity in West Berkshire signals new tender opportunities for charge point operators and installation contractors serving the UK public sector market. The roll-out adds to the pipeline of council-led charging projects as authorities work to meet national EV infrastructure targets.
EON Drive wins consent for eight bay EV charging hub on Isle of Wight brownfield site
EON Drive Infrastructure UK has secured planning permission to build an eight bay electric vehicle charging station, including two accessible bays, on a vacant brownfield site next to the Merrie Gardens Farm pub in Lake, Isle of Wight. Agent nineteen47 stated the facility will be the first dedicated EV charging station in the area, with local planners citing significant benefit from the introduction of charging points at the location. The development will include a substation, lighting columns and accessible dropped curb access.
Why it matters
The approval demonstrates how brownfield sites near existing amenities can unlock new charging infrastructure in underserved areas, with the Isle of Wight location marking a first for dedicated public charging in the locality. For CPOs and developers, the planning consent highlights local authority support for EV infrastructure that delivers accessibility standards and repurposes vacant land.
E-Veezy and Volvo partner with Harwoods dealership to launch EV subscription service in Crawley
E-Veezy, an electric vehicle subscription platform, has partnered with Volvo and Harwoods dealership to offer EV subscriptions in Crawley, West Sussex. The collaboration aims to make electric driving more accessible through flexible subscription models at the Harwoods Volvo location. The initiative is part of a broader push to expand EV adoption through alternative ownership models in the UK market.
Why it matters
The partnership demonstrates how dealerships are diversifying into subscription services to drive EV uptake, potentially creating new charging infrastructure requirements at retail sites. For CPOs, dealership-based subscription hubs represent emerging anchor tenants that may require dedicated charging facilities to support fleet turnover.
GRIDSERVE adds eight chargers to Solstice Park hub on A303 corridor
GRIDSERVE has expanded its Electric Super Hub at Solstice Park in Amesbury with eight new EV charging stations in response to rising demand along the A303 route. The site is located within a 160 acre business and travel destination. RO Group, the family owned trading business that owns the site, welcomed the investment.
Why it matters
The expansion signals sustained utilisation growth on strategic UK trunk routes, offering procurement teams data on corridor charging demand and validating the business case for hub scale sites at mixed use destinations.
Gridserve nears completion of new Electric Forecourt site in UK
Gridserve is approaching completion of its latest Electric Forecourt location in the United Kingdom, according to Forecourt Trader. The development adds to the company's network of high power charging hubs designed to replicate the traditional petrol station experience for EV drivers.
Why it matters
The expansion signals continued investment in large format charging infrastructure in the UK market. For contractors and equipment suppliers, Gridserve's forecourt model represents a repeatable template for multi bay, high power installations with significant ancillary construction requirements.
InstaVolt cuts overnight EV charging tariff to 55p per kWh across UK network
InstaVolt has reduced its overnight charging rate to 55p per kWh, according to Motoring Research. The new tariff applies to the rapid charging operator's network across the United Kingdom. No details on the previous overnight rate or the hours covered by the off peak window were provided in the excerpt.
Why it matters
Lower overnight pricing may shift demand patterns and improve charger utilisation for CPOs, while procurement teams evaluating public charging partners will want to compare time of use tariffs against grid costs and customer appeal.
Electric Vehicles
MAN warns UK electric truck uptake too slow as global order intake climbs 35%
MAN Truck & Bus reported a 35% rise in global truck order intake, from 47,958 units in 2024 to 64,829 in 2025, despite deliveries slipping 1% to 63,296 units. Chief executive Alexander Vlaskamp told a London briefing that battery electric adoption in the UK remains too slow, citing infrastructure constraints, grid congestion and high upfront vehicle costs. Van deliveries grew 13% to 31,344 units, with order intake up 28% to 29,150.
Why it matters
The warning from a major OEM underscores persistent barriers to fleet electrification, particularly charging infrastructure and grid capacity, which directly affect procurement timelines and total cost of ownership for operators. Rising order intake suggests fleet renewal cycles are accelerating, creating a near term window for charging infrastructure investment.
UK passes 2 million electric vehicles on the road
The United Kingdom has surpassed 2 million electric vehicles on its roads, marking what industry observers call a key moment in the country's electric transition. The Belfast Telegraph reports the milestone reflects accelerating EV adoption across the UK market. No further deployment figures or timelines were provided in the excerpt.
Why it matters
A 2 million vehicle fleet signals sustained demand for public and workplace charging infrastructure, shaping procurement pipelines for charge point operators and local authorities. The milestone also underpins business cases for network expansion and grid reinforcement projects.
UK electric vehicle fleet passes 2 million for first time as December 2025 licensing data confirms milestone
The Department for Transport reports that 2,012,000 electric vehicles were licensed in the UK as of December 2025, doubling the fleet in two years after taking 14 years to reach the first million. Octopus Electric Vehicles recorded a 177 per cent year on year increase in demand, while petrol and diesel prices reached 158.31p and 191.54p per litre respectively. The RAC called for VAT cuts at public chargers to match domestic electricity rates, noting that drivers without home charging still pay a significant premium.
Why it matters
A 2 million vehicle fleet signals sustained demand for public and workplace charging infrastructure, particularly as the RAC highlights cost disparities that may drive procurement of more accessible on street and destination charging to serve drivers without home access. The 177 per cent demand surge suggests CPOs and site hosts should prepare for accelerated installation pipelines through 2025 and beyond.
Grid & Energy
350 MW battery storage facility near Birmingham to power 1.3 million homes
A 350 MW battery storage facility is planned near Birmingham, with capacity to power 1.3 million homes, according to Engineering and Technology Magazine. The project represents a significant grid scale energy storage development in the UK Midlands region. No further details on developer, timeline or procurement status were provided in the available excerpt.
Why it matters
Large scale battery storage projects like this create opportunities for EV charging operators to participate in grid balancing services and may signal future co location opportunities. The facility's scale suggests potential for ancillary revenue streams that could improve business cases for nearby charging infrastructure investments.