Daily EV news · UK · 15 July 2026
EV Charging
Cable thieves hit two EV charging sites in Bradford area
Charging cables were stolen from Hartshead Moor services on the M62 and the Asda car park on Cemetery Road in the Bradford area, according to local reports. The incidents are described as part of a growing trend of cable thefts across the region.
Why it matters
Recurring cable theft raises operational costs for charge point operators and can force site closures or redesigns, while undermining driver confidence in public infrastructure reliability.
Somerset council scraps M5 electric vehicle charging hub plan
A proposed electric vehicle charging hub near the M5 motorway in Somerset has been cancelled, according to Weston Mercury. The project, which would have added charging infrastructure in the region, will not proceed. No details on site capacity or reasons for the cancellation were disclosed in the report.
Why it matters
The cancellation removes planned charging capacity near a major UK motorway corridor, highlighting ongoing challenges in delivering public charging infrastructure. For CPOs and contractors, it underscores the risks of site development pipelines and the need to understand local planning or commercial barriers.
Generational partners with Maverick Diagnostics to roll out EV battery testing across 6,000 UK workshops
Generational has signed a distribution agreement with Maverick Diagnostics to bring EV battery health testing to approximately 6,000 workshops across the UK. Under the partnership, Generational will supply battery testing kits, manage workshop orders and provide the software platform for State of Health reporting and customer certificates, while Maverick Diagnostics will handle marketing, training and educational support. The collaboration aims to make battery condition checks a routine part of EV ownership and support transparency in the growing used EV market as more vehicles enter second and third ownership cycles.
Why it matters
Widespread battery health testing infrastructure supports confidence in used EV transactions and may reduce range anxiety barriers that slow fleet adoption and charging demand growth. For charge point operators, better battery transparency can inform site planning as older EVs with degraded batteries may require different charging strategies or dwell times compared to newer vehicles.
Fleet News promotes guide on efficient and cost effective EV charging
Fleet News has published promotional content focused on making EV charging efficient and cost effective for fleet operators. The piece appears as sponsored or promotional material aimed at the UK fleet sector. No specific figures, case studies or technical details are provided in the available excerpt.
Why it matters
Fleet charging represents a significant procurement opportunity as commercial operators seek to electrify vehicle pools, though this promotional piece offers limited actionable intelligence for CPOs or infrastructure buyers without substantive data.
Stockton council approves 12 ultra-rapid chargers for Portrack Retail Park with option for 16-bay hub
Stockton-on-Tees council has approved plans by E.ON Drive Infrastructure UK and Apsley Galliard Conn to install 12 ultra-rapid charging bays under a canopy at Portrack Retail Park, alongside a substation, fencing and kiosk. The scheme will reduce parking from 51 to 32 spaces, with a second phase potentially adding four drive-through bays to reach 16 chargers in total.
Why it matters
The approval signals a major retail-park charging deployment in the North East and shows E.ON scaling ultra-rapid infrastructure with a phased build-out model. Contractors and equipment suppliers will watch for tender details as the project moves to construction.
EV drivers fined up to £70 for charging in UK supermarket car parks outside opening hours
Guardian Money reports that multiple electric vehicle owners have received parking charge notices of £70 after using chargers in private car parks, particularly at UK supermarkets like Aldi. Drivers say signage fails to clarify that charging counts as parking or that chargers are subject to store opening times, with some charge point operators advertising availability when use would breach car park terms.
Why it matters
Charge point operators and site hosts must align operational messaging and enforcement policies to avoid customer penalties. Unclear terms risk undermining driver confidence in public charging infrastructure and complicate site access agreements for CPOs expanding retail partnerships.
Oxfordshire County Council proposes new electric vehicle charging bays across the county
Oxfordshire County Council has announced plans to install new electric vehicle charging bays at multiple locations across the county. The proposal is part of the council's efforts to expand public charging infrastructure to support the transition to electric vehicles. Specific site numbers and installation timelines were not disclosed in the Yahoo News UK report.
Why it matters
The expansion signals growing local authority procurement activity in Oxfordshire, creating potential tender opportunities for charge point operators and installation contractors. Councils increasingly drive rollout velocity in areas where private investment lags, making municipal frameworks a key route to market.
GRIDSERVE opens fifth Electric Forecourt at Markham Vale with 39 ultra-rapid chargers
GRIDSERVE has opened its fifth Electric Forecourt at Markham Vale in Derbyshire, adjacent to Junction 29A of the M1. The site features 39 ultra-rapid chargers capable of delivering 400kW, which can add up to 200 miles of range in under 10 minutes for some newer EV models. The forecourt includes three drive-through bays for larger vehicles and three accessible bays near the main entrance.
Why it matters
The deployment of 39 high-power chargers at a strategic motorway location demonstrates continued investment in ultra-rapid infrastructure, with 400kW capability positioning the site for next-generation EVs. The inclusion of drive-through bays for commercial vehicles and accessible facilities reflects evolving procurement specifications for inclusive, fleet-ready charging hubs.
Electric Vehicles
UK company car numbers climb to 920,000 as electric vehicle tax breaks fuel 80,000 driver rise
HMRC figures show UK employees receiving a company car benefit reached 920,000 in the 2024/25 tax year, an increase of 80,000 drivers year on year. The growth marks a sustained recovery from a pandemic low of 720,000 in 2020/21 and is attributed to tax incentives for ultra low emission vehicles and salary sacrifice schemes. The data reflects rising EV adoption in fleet contexts, though voluntary payrolling changes since 2016 complicate long term comparisons.
Why it matters
A larger company car fleet skewed toward electric models signals expanding workplace charging demand and potential procurement opportunities at business sites. Fleet electrification at scale also drives requirements for depot and destination charging infrastructure across the UK.
Leicester City Council to purchase 10 more Yutong electric buses
Leicester City Council has announced plans to purchase 10 additional Yutong electric buses, as reported by route-one.net. The procurement will expand the council's existing electric bus fleet, though the article does not specify delivery timelines or total investment value.
Why it matters
The order signals continued municipal commitment to zero-emission public transport in Leicester and represents a repeat purchase from Yutong, suggesting satisfaction with the manufacturer's existing fleet performance. Operators and charging infrastructure providers should note the ongoing electrification of UK local authority bus services.
UK zero emission vehicle fleet grows 29.6% year on year to 2.15 million, DfT figures show
Department for Transport statistics show 2,148,000 licensed zero emission vehicles on UK roads at the end of March 2026, up 29.6% from March 2025, now representing 5.1% of all licensed vehicles. First quarter 2026 saw 150,000 new zero emission vehicle registrations, a 12.9% rise on the same period in 2025, while electricity consumption by road vehicles jumped 28.1% in the quarter. The AA attributes growth partly to sustained high petrol and diesel prices, with petrol averaging 151.4p per litre and diesel 165.2p.
Why it matters
A near 30% annual increase in the zero emission fleet signals accelerating demand for public and workplace charging infrastructure across the UK. Rising electricity consumption by EVs underscores the urgency for charge point operators and grid planners to scale capacity ahead of continued fleet expansion.
Geely EX2 electric hatchback launches in UK from under £21,000 with up to 214 miles of range
The Geely EX2, China's bestselling EV in 2025, arrives in the UK this summer priced from under £21,000 across three trim levels. The entry Pro model features a 35 kWh battery and 82 hp motor for 155 miles of range, while Max and Ultra variants offer a 47 kWh battery with 116 hp motor for up to 214 miles. All rear wheel drive models include DC rapid charging up to 80 kW, a 6.6 kW onboard charger and vehicle to load capability, competing with the Renault 5, Fiat Grande Panda and Citroën ë-C3 in the affordable electric hatchback segment.
Why it matters
The sub £21,000 entry price and standardised 80 kW DC charging across all trims signals growing pressure on destination and en route charging networks to accommodate budget EV segments. Fleet and workplace charging operators may see increased demand as affordable models with vehicle to load capability expand the accessible EV market in the UK.
Renault Zoe posts 1.49% claim rate versus Tesla Model S at 34.78% in WSG warranty study
Warranty Solutions Group has published reliability data showing a 23-fold spread between the best and worst performing electric vehicles, with the Renault Zoe recording a 1.49% warranty claim rate and the Tesla Model S the highest at 34.78%. Battery repairs represented 2.14% of all EV claims, while central locking (4.29%), charging flap actuators (3.57%) and lower suspension arms (2.86%) were the most frequent faults, each costing £300 to £400 on average. Labour accounted for 29% of total repair bills across the dataset.
Why it matters
Fleet operators and charge point operators procuring vehicles or planning maintenance partnerships can use the claim rate benchmarks to model total cost of ownership and warranty exposure. The low incidence of battery faults (2.14%) may ease concerns over high voltage infrastructure support costs at depot charging sites.
Policy & Market
Electric Car Grant supports 140,000 UK drivers in first year with £2 billion scheme
The UK Government's Electric Car Grant has supported more than 140,000 drivers in its first year, offering up to £3,750 off the cost of a new electric vehicle through a £2 billion scheme. Demand remains strong, with March 2025 recording the highest EV sales volume on record and sales up 35% compared with June last year. The scheme now covers 58 eligible models, and recent Autotrader figures show electric cars are now cheaper to buy on average than petrol models for the first time.
Why it matters
The grant's success in driving 140,000 EV purchases signals sustained growth in the UK's electric vehicle market, which will increase demand for charging infrastructure from CPOs and local authorities. Lower upfront costs and rising EV adoption rates create a stronger business case for expanding public and workplace charging networks.
ITS UK welcomes eVED opt-in confirmation but urges location-based option review
ITS UK has welcomed the government's confirmation that electric vehicle excise duty (eVED) will operate on an opt-in basis, allowing EV drivers to choose when to begin paying the new tax. The organisation, which represents intelligent transport systems stakeholders, is now calling for a review of location-based charging options as part of the broader road-pricing framework. The statement follows recent government announcements on the implementation timeline for eVED.
Why it matters
The opt-in structure may influence EV adoption rates and fleet electrification decisions, while any shift toward location-based charging could reshape infrastructure investment priorities for charge point operators planning network expansion.
Damian Hinds MP calls for rural EV charging support to avoid penalising countryside drivers
Damian Hinds MP has urged policymakers not to disadvantage rural drivers transitioning to electric vehicles, according to the Liphook Herald. The MP highlighted concerns that inadequate charging infrastructure in countryside areas could penalise residents making the switch to EVs. The intervention comes as the UK government faces pressure to ensure equitable rollout of public charging networks beyond urban centres.
Why it matters
The statement underscores growing political attention on rural charging gaps, which may influence future funding allocations and procurement priorities for charge point operators targeting underserved areas. Addressing rural infrastructure deficits is critical for meeting national EV adoption targets and ensuring fair access to charging.