Daily EV news · UK · 8 September 2026

First Bus has expanded Optimo Energy's smart charging platform from 34 to 172 outlets at its Caledonia depot in Glasgow, one of the UK's largest bus sites. The depot manages a potential 12 MW charging load within a 5 MW grid connection, using dynamic scheduling to meet fleet needs and sell surplus capacity back to the grid. Earlier in 2026, First Bus became the first UK bus operator to enrol an electric depot in the National Grid balancing mechanism.

Why it matters: The project demonstrates how depot operators can deploy large scale smart charging infrastructure within constrained grid connections, a common challenge for fleet electrification. The integration of energy market participation alongside operational charging shows a revenue model that may inform future depot procurement and business case planning.

Lidl GB announced a £10 million investment in its EV charging network for the current financial year, including the installation of around 100 new rapid chargers at existing stores. The retailer has invested £25 million in EV charging since 2017, with a third of its GB stores now offering rapid charging. Lidl also reduced its Lidl Plus rapid charging tariff from 62p per kWh to 59p per kWh, potentially saving drivers approximately £4 per session or £529 annually.

Why it matters: The 100 charger rollout represents a significant procurement opportunity for CPO and hardware suppliers targeting the grocery retail sector. Lidl's commitment to installing rapid chargers in the majority of new stores signals predictable, ongoing demand for charging infrastructure as part of its expansion programme.

Raw Charging is marking World EV Day on 9 September 2026 with free charging across more than 400 destinations, including AC and selected DC rapid and ultra-rapid hubs. The promotion covers sites operated with partners including the National Trust, Merlin Entertainments, RHS, Greene King, McArthurGlen and Landsec, with all AC chargers accessible via contactless payment without apps or accounts. The offer comes as the UK reaches 2.15 million fully electric cars on the road, with battery electric vehicles accounting for over a quarter of new car registrations in the first seven months of 2026 and hitting a record 30% market share in August.

Why it matters: The promotion demonstrates how destination charging operators are using high footfall partnerships to drive EV adoption and brand visibility, while the contactless, account free access model addresses a key barrier in public charging infrastructure. With BEV market share reaching 30% in August 2026, the scale of Raw Charging's network across leisure and retail anchors positions it as a reference case for CPOs targeting similar site portfolios.

Research by Vauxhall shows 90 percent of UK councils provide public EV charging, yet 50 percent still offer no on-street access for residents without driveways, down from 66 percent in 2023. On-street charging availability rose to 39 percent of councils in 2025 from 31 percent in 2023, with 78 councils installing at least one on-street point in 2025. The findings come as Vauxhall marks four years of its Electric Streets of Britain initiative, targeting the 40 percent of drivers lacking driveway access.

Why it matters: The gap between general public charging and on-street residential provision signals ongoing procurement opportunities for councils addressing the 50 percent without kerbside infrastructure. Rising council adoption of dedicated EV policy officers, up 15 percentage points to 46 percent since 2023, suggests maturing tender processes and clearer pathways for CPOs targeting residential charging contracts.

Lidl GB has reduced its rapid EV charging rate from 62p per kWh to 59p per kWh for Lidl Plus members, a discount the supermarket estimates could save drivers approximately £4 per session or £529 annually. The discounter, which claims its network powered 49.1 million miles of electric driving in the past year, is investing £10 million this financial year to install around 100 new rapid chargers at existing stores. Lidl was the first UK supermarket to integrate EV charging payments directly into its own rewards app.

Why it matters: The tariff cut and expansion signal continued competition among retail hosts to attract EV drivers, while the £10 million capex commitment adds roughly 100 charge points to the UK's public network. Procurement teams and CPOs should note the loyalty app integration model as a differentiator in site partnerships and customer retention.

Stefan Gabrielsson of Ctek argues the UK government's autumn review of public EV charging costs must deliver concrete steps to reduce prices, which have risen 38% since 2021. Public chargers carry 20% VAT versus 5% on domestic electricity, a gap set to widen as the government plans to scrap VAT on home electricity from October while appealing a tribunal ruling that public charging should also be taxed at 5%. EVA England research shows 75% of drivers cite public charging costs as the biggest barrier to switching to electric.

Why it matters: Rising public charging costs and widening tax disparities threaten EV adoption among drivers without home chargers, putting pressure on charge point operators to justify pricing and on policymakers to intervene through regulation or fiscal measures. The autumn review could reshape the commercial environment for public charging networks if it leads to VAT cuts or other cost reduction mandates.

Moray Council's Economic Development and Infrastructure Services committee has approved a policy allowing residents without off-street parking to install charging cables beneath public footways, making it one of the first Scottish councils to do so. Residents must apply for permission via a Section 109 Agreement at a cost of £923, covering application processing, legal agreements and site inspections, though Energy Savings Trust grant funding may be available for eligible applicants. The policy aims to expand home charging access while preventing safety risks from cables laid across pavements.

Why it matters: The policy creates a replicable framework for local authorities seeking to expand residential charging infrastructure beyond properties with driveways, addressing a key barrier to EV adoption in urban and terraced housing areas. The £923 permit fee and Section 109 legal structure offer procurement teams and charge point operators a clear cost and compliance model for similar cross-pavement installations across Scotland and potentially the wider UK.