Daily EV news · UK · 21 August 2026

India's Ministry of Heavy Industries approved projects covering 4,874 EV chargers with a financial outlay of INR 503.86 crore as of May 2026, spanning eight states and three public sector oil marketing companies including HPCL, IOCL and BPCL. By June 2026, total approvals reached 6,562 chargers with INR 689 crore allocated, supported by a broader INR 2,000 crore fund under PM E-DRIVE for public fast charging infrastructure. Karnataka received the largest allocation with 1,243 chargers approved, while global projects in the UK, US and Australia are also advancing with charging capacities extending to 120 kW, 240 kW and 400 kW.

Why it matters: The scale of Indian government funding and the shift toward higher power outputs signal growing procurement opportunities for CPOs and suppliers across multiple vehicle categories, from two wheelers to trucks. State level approvals and oil company involvement indicate structured, large scale tender pipelines for fast charging deployment.

E.On Next has reduced the off peak rate on its Next Drive Smart tariff to 6.9p per kWh between midnight and 6am, a move the supplier says saves drivers up to £462 a year compared to charging on the energy price cap. The company has also cut its Next Drive Fixed tariff to 8.5p per kWh off peak, offering savings of £423 annually versus the cap.

Why it matters: Lower home charging costs strengthen the business case for domestic charge point installations and may accelerate residential EV adoption, expanding the addressable market for home charger suppliers and installers. The tariff competition among major energy retailers signals growing confidence in overnight demand management, a key factor for grid operators planning depot and fleet charging infrastructure.