Daily EV news · UK · 20 August 2026

South Korean vehicle manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group and UK energy intelligence platform Kaluza have agreed to integrate smart charging capabilities into the Kia App and myHyundai App, launching in the UK in August 2026 and Australia shortly after. The partnership will lay the groundwork for vehicle to grid (V2G) services planned from 2027, designed to reduce energy costs by charging when renewable energy is abundant on the grid. Kaluza CEO Stephen Fitzpatrick described the collaboration as setting a new industry standard for EV and energy system integration.

Why it matters: The deal signals a major OEM commitment to managed charging and V2G across two key English speaking markets, potentially shaping grid service procurement and charging infrastructure requirements. CPOs and fleet operators serving Hyundai and Kia drivers may need to align with the new digital ecosystem to offer competitive smart charging propositions from 2026.

RAW Charging has launched a 32-point EV charging hub at RHS Garden Wisley near M25 Junction 10, comprising eight 50 kW chargers and 24 22 kW chargers. The operator is offering free charging from 24 to 28 August through its RAW Rewards programme to mark the opening. The site forms part of a wider partnership that will see 90 charge points installed across five RHS gardens in total.

Why it matters: The deployment demonstrates how destination charging at high-footfall leisure sites is expanding UK public infrastructure, with the multi-garden rollout offering a template for CPOs targeting visitor attractions. The mix of rapid and fast AC chargers reflects dwell-time optimisation for garden visitors, typically staying several hours.

Slough Borough Council has begun a one-year trial of cross-pavement charging channels for residents without driveways, funded by £130,000 from the Department for Transport's Electric Vehicle Pavement Channels Grant. The scheme will install 20 Kerbo Charge cable gullies, with residents paying £399 towards installation costs, potentially saving them around £4,000 per year compared to public charging. The Kerbo Charge system is the only approved method for running a charging cable across a public footway in the UK.

Why it matters: The trial addresses a key barrier to home charging for on-street parkers and tests a scalable model that could inform wider local authority procurement of pavement channel solutions. The £399 resident contribution and £130,000 grant structure offers a replicable funding approach for councils seeking to expand residential charging access.

The UK government opened a consultation on 14 August to review zero emission vehicle targets, following pressure from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, which reports automakers losing billions of pounds on EV discounts to meet mandates. Current rules require EVs to account for 33% of new car sales in 2026, 80% in 2030 and 100% by 2035, but EV market share is expected to reach only 27.4% by year end. The review proposes four alternatives, including three that would retain the 2035 endpoint but cut the 2030 target to as low as 50%, and a fourth that would keep existing targets with added flexibility.

Why it matters: Any softening of the 2030 target could slow the pace of charging infrastructure rollout required to support fleet electrification, affecting procurement timelines and investment decisions for CPOs planning network expansion. The consultation outcome will shape demand forecasts and the business case for charging projects across the UK market.