Daily EV news · UK · 6 October 2026
EV Charging
Select Car Leasing adopts SalSac platform as salary sacrifice fleet grows 164.7 per cent year on year
Reading based Select Car Leasing has chosen SalSac to deliver salary sacrifice services to its customers, offering streamlined quotations, scheme administration and payroll reporting. The BVRLA Leasing Outlook from July 2026 showed the salary sacrifice fleet increased 164.7 per cent year on year, overtaking PCH in popularity. Separately, more than half of dealers surveyed by Startline report that public charging costs averaging 77 pence per kilowatt hour for rapid and ultra rapid chargers are deterring EV adoption, according to the ZapMap price index for August 2026.
Why it matters
The surge in salary sacrifice leasing creates a fast growing customer segment for workplace and destination charging infrastructure. High public charging costs reinforce the business case for lower cost depot and employee home charging solutions that procurement teams can bundle with fleet contracts.
Fastned opens 12-bay ultra-rapid charging hub on A1 near Newark
Fastned has launched a 12-bay electric vehicle charging hub on the A1 near Newark, Nottinghamshire, adjacent to OK Diner. The site offers charging speeds up to 400kW, enabling compatible vehicles to add 200 miles of range in 10 minutes, and is powered entirely by renewable energy. The opening event featured promotional offers including 25% off diner bills and £10 vouchers for the first 50 charging customers.
Why it matters
The 12-bay hub on a major UK trunk route demonstrates continued investment in high-power charging infrastructure at strategic roadside locations. The 400kW capability and co-location with hospitality amenities reflect evolving site design standards for long-distance EV travel.
Roam Charging launches up to £1,000 scrappage scheme for outdated EV chargers
UK charge point operator Roam Charging has introduced a trade-in scheme offering businesses up to £1,000 per outdated charger replaced, with £500 for single-socket units and £1,000 for dual-socket units. The programme targets fleets, workplaces, hotels and residential developments with ageing or non-compliant infrastructure, replacing qualifying chargers with fully managed, OCPP-compliant Roam units at no upfront cost under long-term lease or site agreements. Participants also receive ongoing revenue-sharing opportunities throughout the partnership.
Why it matters
The scheme addresses a growing challenge for site hosts saddled with legacy infrastructure that has become costly or non-compliant, offering a funded upgrade path that removes capital barriers. For procurement teams and developers, it signals competitive pressure on CPOs to absorb replacement costs in exchange for long-term site access and revenue share arrangements.
UK ultra-rapid chargers surge 39% as network hits 124,738 devices, Zapmap reports
The UK public charging network reached 124,738 chargers across 48,298 locations in Q3 2026, up 9% year on year, according to Zapmap's latest statistics. Ultra-rapid chargers of 150 kW and above posted the strongest growth at 39.1%, reaching 15,335 devices, while en-route locations grew 23.1% to 14,053 chargers and charging hubs (eight or more rapid or ultra-rapid devices per site) increased by 144 in 2026 to date, totalling 1,070. Rapid chargers saw no year on year growth in September as operators upgrade existing units to higher power ratings.
Why it matters
The shift to ultra-rapid infrastructure and hub formats signals where capital is flowing and where procurement teams should focus tender specifications. Stagnant rapid charger numbers confirm that CPOs are prioritising power upgrades over new mid-tier deployments, reshaping the competitive landscape for site hosts and equipment suppliers.
InstaVolt launches Miles loyalty programme with Virgin Red partnership
InstaVolt has introduced InstaVolt Miles, a free loyalty scheme that awards one Volt per £1 spent on charging, redeemable as charging credit across four reward tiers. From 2 November, a Virgin Red partnership will let drivers convert Volts into Virgin Points for flights, hotels and experiences. The programme is automatic for all InstaVolt app users, with no subscription fee.
Why it matters
Loyalty schemes can drive repeat usage and stickiness on public networks, a competitive edge as CPOs vie for driver retention. The Virgin Red tie-up adds non-charging value that may influence site selection and procurement discussions with landlords seeking high-footfall operators.
Believ wins 15 year deal to deploy over 600 chargers across three Ayrshire councils
CPO Believ has secured a 15 year partnership with East, North and South Ayrshire Councils to install more than 600 EV chargers at approximately 300 locations across southwest Scotland. The project combines over £2.8 million from the Scottish Government's EV Infrastructure Fund with more than £15 million in committed capital from Believ, delivered alongside Transport Scotland and the Scottish Futures Trust. East Ayrshire will receive around 180 chargers, North Ayrshire around 210 and South Ayrshire around 220, with passive provision for over 450 additional future chargers.
Why it matters
The deal demonstrates how multi council procurement can unlock significant private capital investment, with Believ committing over five times the public funding contribution. The inclusion of passive provision for 450 extra chargers shows forward planning to avoid costly retrofits as demand grows.
Believ · East Ayrshire Council · North Ayrshire Council · South Ayrshire Council · Source
RAW Charging opens 14 bay ultra rapid hub in Aberdeen with 150kW and 300kW units
RAW Charging has launched a 14 bay electric vehicle charging hub on Palmerston Road in Aberdeen, featuring 10 150kW chargers and four 300kW chargers, including two priority bays. The site was delivered through RAW Charging's partnership with Hubber and is positioned as an alternative for EV drivers without off street parking. Free charging was offered on 7 and 8 October via RAW Rewards to mark the opening.
Why it matters
The hub adds significant ultra rapid capacity in Aberdeen and demonstrates RAW Charging's continued rollout strategy with Hubber, targeting urban drivers who lack home charging access. The mix of 150kW and 300kW units shows differentiated power offerings at a single location.
Hull resident highlights cross-pavement charging gap as council develops policy
A Hull EV driver who bought his vehicle through the Motability scheme two years ago says he breaks the law by running a charging cable across the pavement overnight because he cannot install a wall-mounted charger without council permission. Hull City Council confirmed that placing cables across a highway without consent is illegal under existing legislation and stated it is developing a policy on cross-pavement charging. The driver, a carer, relies mainly on a nearby hospital and public charging sites during the day, topping up at home with a domestic supply overnight.
Why it matters
The case underscores the regulatory and infrastructure gap for terraced-home EV owners without off-street parking, a segment that councils and charge-point operators must address as EV adoption grows. Delays in local authority policy development risk leaving residents in legal limbo and highlight the uneven rollout of on-street charging solutions across the UK.
ChargeGuru and Zeplug complete rebrand as Tohmo, unifying 100,000 charging points across six European markets
ChargeGuru and Zeplug have rebranded their combined European operations as Tohmo, completing an integration that began with an operational merger in November 2023. The unified business now operates across France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Portugal and the UK, with more than 100,000 charging points installed and 5,000 corporate clients. Tohmo offers end to end services spanning infrastructure installation, financing, operations and maintenance, with a UK focus on apartment blocks and office buildings.
Why it matters
The consolidation creates a single pan European competitor in the private charging sector, particularly for residential and workplace tenders. Procurement teams evaluating multi site or cross border projects now face a larger, integrated operator with established scale in six markets.
ChargeGuru · Zeplug · Tohmo · Source
Wiltshire Council seeks operator for 2,000 charger network under £10 million plan
Wiltshire Council's cabinet is being asked to approve a 15 year contract for a private charge point operator to design, build, maintain and operate a minimum of 2,000 charging devices across the county. The £10 million scheme combines £3.9 million from the government's Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure programme with at least £6.1 million of private investment, targeting residents without off street parking in an area where public charger density stood at 117 per 100,000 residents in July 2026, below the South West average of 157 and the national average of 175.
Why it matters
The 15 year concession represents a substantial procurement opportunity for CPOs able to deploy and maintain networks at scale in areas with below average charging provision. The LEVI funded model, blending public grant with private capital, may set a template for similar local authority tenders across the UK.
Electric Vehicles
Hyundai launches Ioniq 3 hatchback at £18,495 after grant to challenge Chinese rivals
Hyundai has introduced the Ioniq 3, a B-segment electric hatchback priced at £18,495 after the UK's £3,750 Electric Car Grant, positioning it below European competitors including the Renault 5, Cupra Raval and Volkswagen models. The launch forms part of Hyundai's plan to release or refresh 100 models by 2030, with 41 destined for Europe, as the Korean manufacturer seeks to recover from a first-half profit dip and increase total production by 1.3 million units by 2030. The vehicle targets entry-level EV buyers with competitive range options and distinctive styling.
Why it matters
The sub-£20,000 price point after subsidy creates fresh demand for workplace and destination charging at sites serving cost-conscious EV drivers. Hyundai's aggressive European rollout schedule signals sustained infrastructure investment opportunities as legacy manufacturers scale affordable electric models to compete with Chinese imports.
Chery and JLR confirm Freelander brand for UK launch with 350kW charging SUV
Jaguar Land Rover and Chery have confirmed their joint Freelander brand will launch in the UK and Ireland as part of a phased global rollout. The first model, the Freelander 8, is a 5.1 metre SUV with a 626hp plug in hybrid powertrain and 350kW ultra fast charging capability. The UK launch forms the third phase of expansion, following initial rollout in the Middle East and UAE, then Australia and New Zealand.
Why it matters
The 350kW charging specification signals demand for high power infrastructure in the premium SUV segment, with implications for charge point operators planning network capacity and site specifications ahead of the UK launch phase.
Kia EV4 GT priced at £49,345 as order books open in UK
Kia has opened order books for the EV4 GT, a 288 bhp twin motor all wheel drive hot hatch priced from £49,345 in the United Kingdom. The model competes with the upcoming Volkswagen ID.3 Neo GTI, a 322 bhp rear wheel drive variant expected around £45,000. The EV4 GT features an eight speed Virtual Gear Shift system, adaptive dampers with GT specific tuning, 20 inch alloy wheels, and sports tyres.
Why it matters
The pricing positions Kia's performance EV above mainstream rivals, signalling a premium tier in the compact electric hot hatch segment that may influence depot and fleet charging demand for higher power units. Operators planning workplace or destination infrastructure should note the growing variety of performance EVs entering the UK market.
Tesla and Chinese brands lead UK electric car sales in record breaking September
More than 99,000 new electric cars were sold in the UK in September, alongside almost 5,000 zero emission vans, following the introduction of the new 76 number plate. Tesla led the market with a combined 15,875 sales from its Model 3 and Model Y, while several Chinese brands also saw a surge in demand. The figures were reported by GB News.
Why it matters
Record monthly EV registrations of this scale signal accelerating charging demand across the UK, and the dominance of Tesla and Chinese brands shapes which connector standards, payment integrations and co location partnerships CPOs and site hosts should prioritise.
Tesla (global) · BYD (cn) · Kia (kr) · Source
Aston Martin pushes first EV launch to 2033 or later, citing demand and regulatory uncertainty
Aston Martin CEO Adrian Hallmark confirmed the British marque will not introduce an electric vehicle until at least 2033, marking the third delay after initial 2027 and 2030 targets. The company will continue selling V8 and V12 combustion models through the early 2030s, with Hallmark stating EVs are needed only for legislative compliance in select regions. The shift may also delay investment in Aston Martin's technology partnership with US EV maker Lucid.
Why it matters
The decision signals a luxury OEM stepping back from near term EV commitments, potentially reducing demand for high power charging infrastructure at premium retail and hospitality sites. It also highlights regulatory flux as a factor shaping capital allocation timelines for charging networks targeting premium segments.
Cupra cuts Tavascan electric SUV entry price to £39,995 with new 58kWh variant
Cupra has launched a new entry-level Tavascan Origin grade priced from £39,995 OTR, featuring a smaller 58kWh battery and 190hp powertrain. The expanded line-up now offers five trim levels and three powertrain options, with existing models receiving price cuts of up to £1,600 introduced on 1 July. The V1 (77kWh, 286hp) now starts at £45,750 OTR, while the VZ and VZ Extreme models are priced at £54,930 and £59,830 respectively.
Why it matters
Lower entry pricing for electric SUVs may accelerate fleet adoption and increase demand for workplace and public charging infrastructure. The addition of vehicle to load capability from V1 trim upwards signals growing bidirectional charging features in the mid-market EV segment.
Pall-Ex takes UK's first right-hand drive IVECO S-eWay Rigid electric truck
Pall-Ex Logistics has deployed the UK's first right-hand drive IVECO S-eWay Rigid, a 28 tonne electric truck with 490 kWh battery capacity and up to 400 km range. The vehicle supports charging at up to 350 kW, adding approximately 200 km of range in around 45 minutes. The truck features a 6×2 configuration with rear steering and is fitted with a Bevans Curtainside body for palletised freight distribution across the UK.
Why it matters
The deployment demonstrates that high capacity rapid charging infrastructure at 350 kW is becoming operationally necessary for heavy electric freight, with charging speed directly enabling multi-drop logistics schedules. Fleet operators specifying electric rigids will increasingly require depot charging capable of delivering 200 km range top-ups within operational windows of under one hour.
Policy & Market
UK councils issue 9.6 million Clean Air Zone fines since 2019
Freedom of Information data shows that councils in London, Portsmouth and Bradford have issued more than 9.6 million penalty charge notices for emissions rule breaches between 2019 and 2026. Around 300,000 drivers have received multiple fines under the Ultra Low Emission Zone and Clean Air Zone schemes. The figures cover enforcement periods from 2019 to 2026 in London, 2021 to 2026 in Portsmouth, and 2022 to 2026 in Bradford.
Why it matters
The scale of enforcement underlines the regulatory pressure on high emission vehicles in UK urban areas, accelerating fleet electrification timelines for commercial operators and reinforcing the business case for workplace and depot charging infrastructure.