Daily EV news · UK · 29 July 2026

Expanding public charging networks and private installations are driving up costs across the UK EV sector, prompting drivers to seek alternatives to manufacturer-supplied equipment. Aftermarket brands such as Voldt are seeing increased demand for products including charging cables compatible with premium models from Polestar, Tesla and BMW. The shift reflects growing attention to the total cost of EV ownership beyond the vehicle purchase, as infrastructure investment requires significant spending on equipment, land, maintenance and grid connections.

Why it matters: Rising infrastructure costs are reshaping procurement priorities for both public networks and private installations, while the aftermarket trend signals that end-user equipment choices may influence future charging-point specifications and accessory standards in UK tenders.

Liverpool City Council has provisionally awarded a three year corporate fuel card contract worth £4.96 million excluding VAT to Shell U.K. Oil Products, with the specification requiring cards that cover electric vehicle charging alongside diesel and petrol. The award, currently in standstill, signals fleet transition planning but does not break out the electric share of spend or represent a direct charging infrastructure opportunity.

Why it matters: The inclusion of EV charging in a traditional fuel card contract reflects how councils are preparing fleet electrification pathways, though the lack of separated EV spend data limits visibility into actual charging demand. Shell may require EV charging subcontractors to fulfil the charging access component of this fleet services contract.

Shropshire Council is preparing a £108 million LEVI funded procurement to deploy over 550 EV charging devices across the region under a 15 year concession contract. The infrastructure will more than double existing provision and comprise primarily 7kW devices alongside some 22kW and 50kW plus units, covering supply, installation and operation with a revenue sharing model. The procurement represents one of the largest LEVI schemes to date and is currently in planning stage.

Why it matters: This £108 million, 15 year concession offers CPOs and installers significant long term commercial opportunity and scale in an underserved rural and semi rural market. The revenue sharing structure and extended contract term provide stable returns for operators willing to build out charging infrastructure in lower density areas supported by government LEVI funding.

Wokingham Borough Council has approved updated plans for a solar powered EV charging scheme at Mereoak Park and Ride near M4 junction 11, south of Reading. The project includes solar canopies expected to generate enough electricity annually to power more than 440 homes or provide 150,000 EV charges, alongside a battery energy storage system and a mix of rapid and standard chargers. A procurement process is under way to appoint a contractor, with construction expected to begin towards the end of 2025.

Why it matters: The 600 space park and ride site represents a significant solar integrated charging deployment on a strategic motorway corridor, with phased construction planned to keep the facility operational. Contractors bidding for the work will need to deliver both solar canopy infrastructure and battery storage alongside the charging hardware.

UK public charging firm Zest will deploy more than 1,000 chargepoints across three Hertfordshire districts, supported by £1.8 million from the government's LEVI Fund and additional investment from Zest. The 15 year concession covers on-street charging in North Hertfordshire, St Albans and Welwyn Hatfield, with works expected to begin later this year. Zest will fund, operate and maintain the network, prioritising residential areas and underserved communities.

Why it matters: The contract demonstrates how LEVI funding is unlocking large scale on-street rollouts through long term concessions, offering a replicable model for councils seeking to address residential charging gaps. Procurement teams can benchmark the 15 year operate and maintain structure and the blend of public and private capital for similar tenders.

Believ will deliver 1,300 standard EV charge points across Devon County Council and Torbay Council areas, targeting residents without driveways. The project, developed through the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) scheme, will be fully funded by Believ, with sister company Virgin Media O2 acting as delivery partner to accelerate rollout. All charge points will feature contactless payment and aim for PAS1899:2022 compliance where possible.

Why it matters: The fully privately funded deployment removes public capital risk while addressing on street charging gaps in rural and underserved areas. The Virgin Media O2 partnership signals potential for telecoms infrastructure to accelerate charge point installation at scale.

Devon County Council and Torbay Council have selected Believ, char.gy and Wenea to deliver almost 3,000 publicly accessible charging sockets across communities, residential streets and public car parks. The rollout is backed by an £8 million grant from the Department for Transport's Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund, with the three charging providers contributing the remaining investment to bring the total to around £30 million. The expansion follows the adoption of EV strategies by both councils identifying the need for thousands of additional public charging sockets to be operational by 2030.

Why it matters: This multi-operator framework demonstrates how local authorities are using LEVI funding to leverage private capital at scale, with the £8 million public grant unlocking £22 million in operator investment. The project offers a procurement model for other councils seeking to deploy mixed charging solutions, combining lamp column units, on street residential chargers and car park rapids across seven district and borough councils.