Daily EV news · UK · 10 September 2026

RAW Charging is providing a 50% discount on EV charging at more than 65 National Trust destinations across the UK from 11 to 20 September 2026, covering over 500 charging bays with both AC and DC chargers. The promotion reduces DC rapid charging to less than 40p per kWh during the offer period, with all chargers fully contactless. The discount coincides with Heritage Open Days, England's largest festival of history and culture.

Why it matters: The campaign demonstrates how destination charging operators can use promotional pricing to drive utilisation at leisure sites, while the 500 bay footprint across National Trust properties highlights the scale of RAW's hospitality and heritage sector deployment.

A survey of more than 3,000 EV drivers across North America and Europe by Driivz shows that 91% would detour to use a charger recommended by another driver, while 76% would avoid a network based on peer warnings. More than half (55%) said they would travel more than five minutes out of their way for a recommended site, and 32% now trust recommendations from EV-driving friends and family when finding unfamiliar charging locations, compared with 27% who rely on satellite navigation and mapping apps.

Why it matters: The findings suggest that word of mouth and peer trust are now shaping charging demand more than proximity or traditional navigation, meaning CPOs must prioritise reliability and user experience to avoid reputational damage that can divert traffic. Procurement teams may need to weight operator track records and customer satisfaction data more heavily when awarding contracts.

The Transport Technology Forum is hosting a webinar at 11am on 30 September 2026, chaired by Transport + Energy's Alec Peachey, for councils to share practical experience of delivering EV charging infrastructure. The discussion format session will cover cross pavement charging and gully solutions, community charging, commercial and delivery models, LEVI delivery experiences and wider public charging challenges, with time for audience questions.

Why it matters: Local authorities are key procurers of on street and community charging infrastructure in the UK, and shared lessons on delivery models and LEVI fund deployment can inform upcoming tender strategies and site rollout plans for CPOs and suppliers.