Daily EV news · UK · 3 August 2026

More homeowners in Stratford-upon-Avon and across Warwickshire are installing combined renewable energy systems that pair solar panels, battery storage and EV chargers, allowing them to generate, store and use their own electricity rather than rely on the grid during peak hours. Stratford Energy Solutions, a local renewable energy company, reports it has completed over 4,000 installations in the region over more than 15 years. The Stratford Herald notes the trend reflects households seeking greater control over energy use amid ongoing volatility in UK electricity bills.

Why it matters: The shift toward integrated home energy systems signals rising demand for EV chargers that work alongside solar and storage, creating opportunities for installers and equipment suppliers who can deliver turnkey packages. It also underscores the importance of smart charging features that prioritise self-generated power, a capability procurement teams should specify when tendering residential or workplace charge points.

On-street charge point operator char.gy will deploy 30 new kerbside EV charge points across Devon in a trial supported by the UK government's Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund, posted 3 August 2026. All units will run on 100% renewable electricity, with lessons from the trial informing the next phase of installations. char.gy operates the UK's fourth largest on-street charging network with over 5,000 public charge points currently in operation.

Why it matters: The trial extends LEVI funded infrastructure into a large rural county, offering procurement teams a model for rolling out kerbside charging beyond urban centres. With the UK reaching around 87,000 public charging points at 45,000 locations by late 2025, the project tests scalable deployment in areas where on-street parking dominates.

Devon County Council and Torbay Council have appointed Believ, char.gy and Wenea to deploy almost 3,000 public EV charging points across the region. The rollout, set to begin within the next few months, combines £8 million from the UK Department for Transport's LEVI fund with around £30 million in private investment from the three charge point operators. Wenea will install rapid and fast chargers in public car parks managed by seven district and borough councils, Believ will deploy standard on-street units and community car park chargers, and char.gy will integrate charging infrastructure into existing lamp columns.

Why it matters: This multi-operator framework demonstrates how local authorities are leveraging LEVI funding to attract significant private capital, with the £8 million public investment unlocking nearly four times that amount in operator commitments. The project offers a procurement model for other councils seeking to deploy mixed charging solutions across on-street, car park and lamp column sites at scale.