Daily EV news · UK · 30 September 2026
EV Charging
CCS2 connector underpins Britain's rapid EV charging rollout as networks expand
Britain's EV charging infrastructure is expanding across motorway services, retail parks and workplaces, with networks adding rapid and ultra rapid capacity. The CCS2 (Combined Charging System) connector has become the dominant standard for DC fast charging in the UK and Europe, handling high power transfer, vehicle communication and repeated use in varied conditions. The connector combines AC connections with additional DC contacts to enable rapid charging sessions.
Why it matters
Procurement teams specifying charging hardware must ensure CCS2 compatibility and connector durability, as the physical connection point directly affects network reliability and user experience regardless of software or charger power ratings.
Marston's and Believ partner to expand pub EV charging network from 2026
UK pub group Marston's has signed a long term deal with charge point operator Believ to install Standard, Standard Plus and Ultra Rapid chargers across its estate, with first sites going live in late 2026. Believ will fund, install and operate the infrastructure under an end to end service model. Marston's already runs 542 chargers at 195 sites through its existing Osprey Charging Network partnership, the largest rapid and ultra fast pub charging network in the UK.
Why it matters
The fully funded, turnkey model removes capital and operational risk for the hospitality operator, while the mix of charging speeds targets different dwell times at pub and accommodation sites. Believ's pipeline now includes a major destination charging rollout alongside an established CPO incumbent.
Peterborough proposes 1,058 on-street EV charge points in £1m Believ contract
Peterborough City Council's cabinet will consider awarding a long-term contract to Believ Limited for the installation and maintenance of 1,058 on-street charge points over the next four years. The scheme is backed by approximately £1m in funding from the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority. The council noted that existing infrastructure is concentrated at destination sites, leaving residents without driveways with fewer convenient charging options.
Why it matters
The four-year rollout represents a substantial on-street procurement opportunity for Believ and signals a shift in local authority focus towards residential charging equity. The contract scale and timeline offer a clear benchmark for CPOs planning similar urban deployments in the UK.
Electric Vehicles
Three quarters of UK's top 20 plug-in hybrid models cannot use rapid chargers, ChargeUK warns
Only 26 per cent of vehicles sold across the UK's 20 most popular plug-in hybrid electric vehicle models are capable of using rapid charging at 50kW or above, according to analysis by ChargeUK. The industry body warned that PHEV drivers unable to access rapid public charging quickly become petrol reliant, with chief executive Shane Brennan urging government not to promote boosting PHEV sales as a meaningful step towards electrification. Models cited include the Jaecoo 7, Ford Kuga, Hyundai Tucson, BYD Seal, MG HS and BMW 3 Series, with the latter three unable to use rapid chargers.
Why it matters
The finding challenges the role of PHEVs in the transition to electric mobility and may influence government policy on vehicle incentives and charging infrastructure priorities. For charge point operators, it underscores the need to balance rapid charger deployment with slower AC provision that remains essential for a significant portion of the plug-in vehicle fleet.
Policy & Market
Home electricity VAT cut to zero widens EV charging cost gap to £200 per year
From 1 October 2026, the UK Government removed VAT on household electricity for six months as a cost of living measure, while public EV charging remains subject to 20% VAT. ChargeUK calculates that a typical driver using 80% home and 20% rapid charging now pays £200 less in VAT annually than a driver relying entirely on public infrastructure (80% standard, 20% rapid mix), contributing to a total annual cost difference exceeding £1,000. A coalition including ChargeUK, EVA England, EVA Cymru, the AA, Autotrader and FairCharge has written to the Prime Minister urging an end to the disparity, which affects an estimated 10 million households without off street parking.
Why it matters
The widening tax gap intensifies pressure on charge point operators and policymakers to address pricing equity, as the cost differential may slow EV adoption among the third of UK households unable to install home chargers. Procurement teams and local authorities planning public networks must factor in affordability concerns that could affect utilisation and business case assumptions.