Daily EV news · UK · 3 October 2026
EV Charging
Maritime and Coastguard Agency awards £3 million charging framework to Roam for three year estate rollout
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has awarded a £3 million contract over three years to EV CHARGERS LTD, trading as Roam, for charging infrastructure across its estate through a framework call off. The procurement follows the agency's 2021 charge point surveys and supports its 2026 plug in hybrid vehicle purchases, including five Toyota PHEV AWD units for emergency response roles at £167,852 and five Kia Sportage PHEV AWD vehicles for the wider fleet.
Why it matters
The three year framework demonstrates how public sector fleet electrification is driving multi million pound infrastructure commitments, with the MCA linking site surveys to vehicle procurement timelines. CPOs and installers should note the framework structure as a model for securing long term government charging work tied to operational fleet transitions.
UK cuts domestic electricity VAT to zero from 1 October, saving home EV charger users £13 to £27 per year
The UK government will reduce domestic electricity VAT from 5% to 0% starting 1 October, directly lowering costs for electric vehicle owners charging at home. Analysis from New Automotive estimates EV owners using dedicated chargers on standard tariffs will save roughly £27 per car annually, while the 934,000 households using off-peak EV tariffs will save around £13 per year due to already discounted rates. Actual savings will vary based on individual mileage, energy plans and battery capacity.
Why it matters
The VAT cut reduces the total cost of ownership for home charging, potentially accelerating EV adoption and increasing demand for residential charge point installations. CPOs and installers serving the domestic market can use these savings as a sales argument, particularly for the standard tariff segment where the £27 annual benefit is more visible.
Source launches rewards scheme at Lowestoft ultra-rapid hub and nationwide sites
Source, backed by SSE and TotalEnergies, has introduced a rewards programme offering shopping vouchers to drivers using its ultra-rapid charging network, including a 10-bay, 24/7 hub at Gateway Retail Park in Lowestoft that opened six months ago. The scheme applies across all Source charging locations nationwide.
Why it matters
Loyalty incentives may influence site selection and customer retention for charge point operators competing in retail and destination charging. The Lowestoft hub demonstrates how major energy partners are scaling ultra-rapid infrastructure at supermarket anchors.
UK public EV chargers vandalised for scrap copper worth under £3, leaving stations offline for months
YouTube creator Dave Takes It On documented multiple UK charging sites, including a Preston location and a Tesco forecourt, where thieves have cut cables and removed plugs for copper worth less than £3 per cable. One Tesco charger remained out of service for three to six months following vandalism. The thefts are forcing EV drivers to search for alternative charging locations when they arrive at damaged stations.
Why it matters
Prolonged downtime from cable theft directly reduces network availability and undermines CPO revenue, while the low scrap value means repair and replacement costs far exceed the material stolen. Operators may need to budget for hardened cabling, faster maintenance response or site security to protect utilisation rates.