Daily EV news · UK · 18 September 2026

Tesla has applied to Somerset Council for permission to build a 16-bay charging facility at Southfields Enterprise Park near Ilminster, close to the Southfields Roundabout at Horton Cross. The site, which would include a substation, power cabinets, lighting, landscaping and drainage infrastructure, forms part of Tesla's nationwide expansion of rapid EV charging and would be open to drivers of all compatible electric vehicles, not just Tesla owners. Planning documents cite clear demand for publicly accessible charging services to support long-distance travel and users without home or workplace charging.

Why it matters: The application signals Tesla's continued push into the UK public charging market with non-proprietary access, creating a potential 16-bay procurement opportunity for contractors and suppliers in the Somerset area. The site's location near major food outlets and a busy roundabout suggests a focus on high-footfall, long-distance travel corridors.

New research predicts that electric vehicles will account for 50.5 per cent of all vehicles on UK roads by 2034, up from the current 4.8 per cent. Petrol vehicles currently represent 55 per cent of the car parc and diesel just under 30 per cent. The forecast was reported by GB News alongside coverage of a Department for Transport campaign encouraging drivers to switch to electric cars.

Why it matters: A tenfold increase in the EV share of the UK car parc over the next decade signals sustained demand for public and workplace charging infrastructure. Procurement teams and charge point operators should plan capacity expansions to serve a fleet approaching parity with internal combustion vehicles by the mid 2030s.