Daily EV news · UK · 6 July 2026
EV Charging
Range anxiety declining across UK, France, Germany and Spain as cross border EV road trips surge heading into 2026
A report highlighted by Nomad Lawyer indicates that EV drivers in the UK, France, Germany and Spain are increasingly confident undertaking cross border road trips, with range anxiety dropping as charging infrastructure expands. The trend points to a notable shift in European EV travel behaviour expected to accelerate into 2026.
Why it matters
Growing driver confidence in long distance, multi country EV journeys signals that corridor charging networks are reaching a maturity threshold, reinforcing the business case for further investment in cross border route coverage and interoperability.
UK government considers £190 million motorway grid upgrade scheme
The UK government is examining a £190 million programme to reinforce the electricity grid serving motorway service areas, according to electrive.com. The scheme aims to support the rollout of high power EV charging infrastructure along strategic road networks. No timeline or specific motorway corridors have been disclosed in the report.
Why it matters
Grid capacity remains a critical bottleneck for rapid charger deployment at motorway sites. A £190 million public investment could unlock commercial charging projects that currently face long connection queues and prohibitive reinforcement costs.
Blink Charging and two EV charging stocks flagged as UK slows charger rollout but backs ultra rapid and on street funding
Electric vehicle charging infrastructure stocks face mixed signals after the UK indicated a slower charger rollout and possible changes to EV sales mandates, while committing fresh public money for ultra rapid and on street charging. Blink Charging, which operates a global EV charging business generating US$103.6 million in revenue (US$67.7 million from the United States, US$35.9 million internationally), is highlighted alongside two other stocks from an Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure screener as positioned to benefit from the current policy and funding environment. The company manufactures residential and commercial chargers and runs the Blink Network, a cloud platform managing charging stations, payments and real time data.
Why it matters
UK policy shifts create both risk and opportunity for charge point operators and hardware suppliers, with public funding for ultra rapid and on street infrastructure potentially offsetting slower overall rollout. Investors and procurement teams tracking consolidation and DC fast charging expansion will watch how pure play operators like Blink navigate the changing subsidy and mandate landscape.
UK public charge point growth slows to 10% in first half of 2026 as costs and policy uncertainty bite
Charge point operators installed 5,100 public units in the first half of 2026, bringing the UK total to 121,171, a 10% rise year on year, according to Zapmap. That marks a sharp deceleration from growth above 40% in 2024, raising doubts over the government's 300,000 public charger target by 2030. The slowdown comes as the car industry lobbies to weaken the zero emission vehicle mandate and Labour adds flexibilities that allow more petrol sales.
Why it matters
A 10% installation rate falls well short of the pace needed to meet 2030 infrastructure targets, signalling tighter project pipelines and heightened risk for CPOs banking on sustained volume. Rising costs and wavering policy support may force operators to reassess site economics and delay capital commitments.
UK Government unveils sweeping tax relief for EV charging networks
The UK Government has announced broad tax relief measures targeting EV charging infrastructure, according to a report discovered via Google News and published by streamlinefeed.co.ke. Specific details on the scope, rates or eligibility criteria of the relief were not provided in the available excerpt.
Why it matters
Tax relief for charging networks could significantly improve the business case for charge point operators and investors, potentially accelerating deployment timelines and influencing procurement strategies for public and private charging projects across the UK.
North East Lincolnshire Council rejects 20-space EV charging hub in Grimsby town centre
North East Lincolnshire Council has refused planning permission for a 20-space EV charging car park at 170 Victoria Street in Grimsby. The scheme would have demolished a vacant 1862 former church building to create a hub leased to a commercial operator, accessed from Upper Burgess Street. Planning officers rejected the application on heritage grounds, citing the loss of a non-designated heritage asset of local significance.
Why it matters
The refusal highlights the challenge of balancing heritage protection with EV infrastructure rollout in historic town centres, potentially delaying commercial charging capacity in Grimsby. Operators and councils must navigate conservation constraints when siting urban hubs, especially where demolition of older buildings is proposed.
On-street EV chargers record highest growth at 18% year on year in UK
On-street electric vehicle chargers in the UK grew 18% year on year to 39,859 units, the highest growth rate of any category, according to Zapmap data for the first half of 2026. The UK now has 121,171 public chargers at 46,731 locations, a 10% annual increase, with 5,119 new chargers installed in the first six months of 2026. Ultra-rapid chargers of 150kW and above saw 37% year on year growth, while charging hubs with eight or more rapid or ultra-rapid chargers reached 1,034 sites, adding 108 in the period.
Why it matters
The 18% surge in on-street provision signals CPOs are prioritising the residential segment without driveways, a key market for future tender volumes. Meanwhile, 37% growth in ultra-rapid units and 108 new hubs underscore where capital is flowing and where procurement teams should expect competitive bids.
EG On The Move acquires Prax forecourt network in UK consolidation move
EG On The Move has acquired Prax's forecourt operations in the United Kingdom, according to Forecourt Trader. The deal adds Prax's retail sites to EG's existing network, marking further consolidation in the UK forecourt sector. Financial terms and the exact number of sites involved were not disclosed in the report.
Why it matters
Forecourt consolidation often triggers EV charging infrastructure upgrades as new owners seek to modernise acquired sites and meet regulatory targets. Larger operators like EG typically have dedicated capital programmes for rapid charger rollouts, creating procurement opportunities for charge point suppliers and installation contractors.
Zapmap releases H1 2026 UK charging infrastructure statistics
Zapmap published its statistics for the first half of 2026, revealing the evolving shape of the UK's EV charging infrastructure. The data was released on 6 July 2026 and covers rollout velocity across the United Kingdom.
Why it matters
These half-yearly statistics provide procurement teams and charge point operators with benchmark data on UK infrastructure growth rates and deployment patterns, informing investment and tender strategies for the second half of 2026.
Electric Vehicles
Small electric SUV now eligible for full UK electric car grant
Carwow reports that a compact electric SUV has become eligible for the full electric car grant in the United Kingdom, improving its affordability for buyers. The article highlights the vehicle's spacious interior and competitive positioning in the small SUV segment.
Why it matters
Grant eligibility can influence fleet and consumer purchasing decisions, potentially increasing demand at charging locations frequented by owners of affordable EVs and shaping CPO site planning around popular vehicle segments.
Fleet Alliance wins electric car salary sacrifice deal
Fleet Alliance has secured a contract to provide electric vehicles through a salary sacrifice scheme, according to Fleet News. The deal expands the company's presence in the UK employee benefits market. No financial details or fleet size were disclosed in the available excerpt.
Why it matters
Salary sacrifice schemes are driving EV adoption in the UK corporate sector, creating predictable charging infrastructure demand at workplaces and employee homes. Fleet operators winning these contracts often require depot and destination charging installations to support their electric vehicle rollouts.
Policy & Market
Which? lists UK electric car grant eligible models and manufacturer discounts
Which? has published a guide to electric vehicles currently eligible for UK government grants, alongside manufacturer discount schemes. The consumer publication's roundup covers models that qualify under existing policy frameworks and highlights brand-level incentives available to buyers. The article appears on Which?'s website as a resource for consumers navigating EV purchase options in the United Kingdom.
Why it matters
Clarity on grant eligibility and OEM discounts shapes fleet procurement decisions and influences which models CPOs prioritise in depot planning. Understanding the policy landscape helps charge point operators anticipate demand patterns as buyers respond to financial incentives.