Daily EV news · UK · 13 September 2026
EV Charging
90 per cent of UK councils offer public EV charging but 50 per cent lack on-street provision
Over 90 per cent of UK councils now provide at least one public EV charger, yet 50 per cent still offer no on-street charging, according to Vauxhall research. On-street availability rose from 31 per cent of councils in 2023 to 39 per cent in 2025, when 78 councils installed at least one on-street point. Meanwhile, 32 per cent of councils have published a residential on-street charging strategy and 46 per cent have dedicated resources for EV infrastructure.
Why it matters
The figures underscore a persistent gap in provision for the 40 per cent of UK drivers without driveways, signalling continued procurement opportunities in on-street and residential charging. Councils with published strategies and dedicated teams are likely to accelerate tender activity, shaping the pipeline for CPOs and installers targeting kerbside deployments.
InstaVolt joins Shell Card network, adding 4,250 chargers for UK fleet operators
Fleet operators and business drivers using Shell Card can now access over 4,250 InstaVolt fast chargers across more than 1,200 UK locations. The roaming partnership expands Shell Recharge's third party network, which already covers forecourts, on street sites and destination hubs. InstaVolt CEO Delvin Lane said the tie up offers fleet managers a simpler way to manage charging across their business.
Why it matters
The deal consolidates payment access for commercial fleets, a key procurement criterion as operators seek single card solutions to reduce driver friction and back office complexity. It also signals continued roaming integration among UK charge point operators, shaping how public networks compete for fleet contracts.
UK Government considers permitted development rights for pavement cable channels to help EV owners without driveways
The Department for Transport is examining Permitted Development Rights for cross pavement charging solutions, including pavement gullies and cable channels, which would remove the need for formal planning applications. The move aims to help EV owners without driveways access domestic electricity rates of around 7p per kWh and 0% VAT, compared to public charging at roughly 54p per kWh with 20% VAT. The proposal follows a consultation in which respondents supported reducing installation time and cost.
Why it matters
Streamlined planning could accelerate residential charging infrastructure for the estimated millions of UK households without off street parking, potentially reducing reliance on public networks. Lower regulatory friction may also open new installation opportunities for charge point operators and contractors serving terraced and urban housing.
Half of UK councils still lack residential street chargers despite three year rollout push
A Freedom of Information request by Vauxhall reveals that 50 per cent of UK councils provide no on-street residential EV charging, down from 66 per cent in 2023, even as 2.18 million EVs now use British roads. While over 90 per cent of councils have installed at least one public charger in their area, 40 per cent of drivers live in properties without off-street parking, leaving a significant gap in charging access for residents without driveways.
Why it matters
The findings expose a critical infrastructure shortfall that could stall EV adoption among the four in ten households reliant on street parking, signalling urgent procurement opportunities for on-street charging solutions. Councils lagging in residential provision face mounting pressure to tender kerbside and lamppost charging contracts as the UK's electrification targets advance.