Daily EV news · UK · 6 August 2026

DC fast-charging manufacturer Kempower has opened eight new charging points at a service station in Astwick, Hertfordshire, funded through a leasing agreement with DLL that covers hardware, installation and maintenance. The site features four Kempower Double Satellites offering eight CCS2 connections, linked to two Power Units capable of delivering up to 400 kW per vehicle. Kempower and DLL partnered in 2024 to reduce capital barriers for operators, with Yunex Traffic providing procurement, installation and servicing for the project.

Why it matters: The leasing model addresses a key barrier in the UK charging rollout by shifting capital expenditure to operating expenditure, making large-scale deployments more accessible to smaller operators and fleet hubs. It also bundles long-term maintenance into the finance package, potentially simplifying procurement and reducing lifecycle risk for buyers.

Hertsmere Borough Council is funding upgrades to Newberries Car Park that include new electric vehicle charging bays, full resurfacing, and improved CCTV and signage. Installation of the EV charging bays is scheduled to begin in the week starting 3 August 2026, with resurfacing work planned for early September 2026. The construction period will reduce available parking spaces, though the council has committed to minimising disruption through traffic management measures and advance notices.

Why it matters: The project signals continued local authority investment in public charging infrastructure, with a clear timeline for procurement and installation teams working on council funded schemes. The phased delivery schedule and planned traffic management offer a template for minimising operational disruption during car park charging rollouts.

Charge point operator Allego, backed by infrastructure investor Meridiam, will invest €100 million to deploy up to 1,400 new ultra fast charging points across the UK by 2030. The rollout targets motorway corridors, major A roads and urban centres, with London a key priority, and is expected to create jobs in site acquisition, construction, engineering and network management. Allego entered the UK market in 2017 and views Britain as one of Europe's most attractive opportunities for EV charging investment.

Why it matters: The €100 million commitment signals sustained confidence in UK public charging demand and will intensify competition for high traffic sites along strategic corridors. Procurement teams and landowners can expect increased activity from Allego across motorway services, urban hubs and A road locations over the next six years.

The UK public EV charging network stood at 122,724 chargers by end July 2026, up 9.5% year on year, with 1,553 net new units added in the month including 359 rapid and ultra-rapid devices, according to Zapmap data. Moto Charge launched its third Super Hub at Tamworth services on the M42, installing 12 ultra-rapid bays rated up to 400kW alongside 24 Gridserve bays and eight HGV-dedicated points for a total of 44 ultra-rapid bays at the site. Allego separately announced plans to invest £85 million to deploy up to 1,400 ultra-rapid chargers in the UK by 2030, targeting retail and hospitality partnerships in high-traffic locations.

Why it matters: The sustained monthly rollout and year-on-year growth signal ongoing procurement opportunities for hardware suppliers and construction firms, while the Moto and Allego commitments point to large-scale tenders in motorway and retail environments through the end of the decade. CPOs and site hosts can benchmark the 9.5% annual expansion and the shift toward ultra-rapid infrastructure when planning capacity and partnership strategies.

Public charging now represents 70% of total fleet EV charging spend in the UK despite accounting for only 41% of energy consumed, according to Rightcharge's H1 2026 report analysing over 1.5 million kWh. Home charging averaged 23.8p per kWh while public charging averaged 80.9p per kWh, a 3.5 times difference, pushing the blended fleet rate from 40.5p per kWh to 46.9p per kWh. The busiest rapid chargers reached 91.5p per kWh, roughly 15 times higher than the 6p per kWh available on home EV tariffs.

Why it matters: The widening cost gap between home and public charging creates a procurement challenge for fleet operators, who bear the expense while drivers make location decisions often constrained by housing circumstances. The data underscores the financial pressure on public charging infrastructure to balance accessibility for drivers without home charging against the operational cost burden on fleet budgets.