Daily EV news · UK · 21 July 2026

Evolt Charging has signed an agreement to become a strategic service partner for Austrian EV charging manufacturer KEBA, providing driver, host and field maintenance support for KEBA's AC and DC charging stations deployed across the UK. The partnership builds on Evolt's strategy to develop an OEM agnostic service model, positioning itself as a single service partner across the UK's fleet charging infrastructure environment. Managing director Justin Meyer said the company has invested in establishing the UK's largest fully dedicated call centre and field service teams in the EV charging sector.

Why it matters: The deal reflects the growing complexity of fleet charging estates as operators manage hardware from multiple vendors, creating demand for unified maintenance services. Evolt's OEM agnostic approach addresses a key procurement challenge for fleet operators seeking to consolidate support contracts across mixed charging infrastructure.

BYD plans to install 300 Flash Chargers across the UK by the end of 2025, with the technology capable of charging compatible EVs from 5 to 70 per cent in five minutes and 10 to 97 per cent in nine minutes. New research shows 90 per cent of used car dealers believe the Flash Charging technology will be a game changer for electric vehicles. The chargers, already deployed in China, are designed for vehicles with Blade Battery 2.0 and were first displayed in the UK last month.

Why it matters: A 300 unit rollout by a single OEM represents significant new ultra rapid infrastructure and potential competition for existing CPOs, particularly if BYD opens the network beyond its own vehicles. The dealer confidence figure suggests the technology could accelerate fleet and retail EV adoption, driving demand for compatible charging infrastructure.

Aldi UK has installed 1,200 electric vehicle charge points across more than 250 supermarkets and will add chargers to around 20 new stores annually, mixing fast and rapid units. Pricing is set at 40p per kWh for fast charging and 62p per kWh for rapid charging, with payment via the Charge Assist app or contactless card. Managing Director Jonathan Neale said the rollout aims to make sustainable choices more accessible for shoppers seeking affordable and convenient charging.

Why it matters: The 20 sites per year pipeline offers a steady procurement opportunity for charge point operators and installers, while the published tariff structure provides a benchmark for retail forecourt pricing. Aldi's scale and app integration signal growing competition in destination charging, relevant for CPOs evaluating grocery partnerships.

The Big Lemon London to Land's End Electric Vehicle Rally 2026, held 20 to 22 June, tested the UK's charging infrastructure over a 400-mile route simulating a family holiday. Now in its sixth edition, the rally demonstrated that the network can support domestic tourism journeys across central London, rural roads and motorways, according to co-founder Tom Druitt.

Why it matters: The successful completion of a 400-mile tourism route by multiple EVs provides real-world validation of network reliability for CPOs and may inform infrastructure planning for holiday corridors. It also counters range anxiety narratives that can slow fleet adoption and public charging demand.

The Abarth 500e now qualifies for the maximum £3,750 discount under the UK government's £1.3bn electric car grant scheme, bringing the total number of models eligible for the full amount to 15. Other qualifying vehicles include the Alpine A290, Ford Puma Gen-E, Nissan Leaf, and Renault 5 (52kWh), while remaining models receive £1,500 off. More than 100,000 drivers have used the scheme since its launch in July 2025.

Why it matters: The expanding list of grant eligible models, particularly affordable urban EVs like the Abarth 500e with 164 mile range, signals growing consumer incentives that may accelerate fleet electrification and workplace charging demand. CPOs serving retail and commercial sites should monitor uptake patterns as the scheme's £1.3bn budget drives new EV adoption across price segments.

A Bridgestone consumer survey found that 26 per cent of UK motorists say they will never buy an electric vehicle, a rise from 17 per cent in 2025 and returning to 2024 levels. Battery longevity and replacement costs remain the top concern for 55 per cent of respondents, while 50 per cent worry about charging costs, 44 per cent cite range and purchase price, and 43 per cent believe there are not enough charging points. Only 16 per cent plan to buy an EV within 12 months, though 53 per cent expect to do so within five years.

Why it matters: The survey underscores persistent infrastructure and cost barriers that continue to slow EV adoption among UK drivers, signalling that charge point operators and policymakers must address availability, speed and pricing concerns to meet longer term demand. The data also highlights that nearly half of potential buyers still see the charging network as inadequate, pointing to ongoing procurement and deployment gaps.