Daily EV news · UK · 14 October 2026
EV Charging
Tom Hartley Jnr installs 10 Andersen EV charge points at 80,000 sq ft Cotswolds showroom
Luxury car dealer Tom Hartley Jnr has selected Andersen EV to install 10 charge points at The Firs showroom in Hook Norton, the Cotswolds. The installation comprises four Andersen A2 units capable of charging at up to 22 kW and six Andersen A3 units rated at 7 kW, positioned across car parks, the main showroom and a car barn. The Firs, officially opened on 29 June 2026, spans more than 80,000 sq ft and includes vehicle display areas, client facilities and a photography studio.
Why it matters
The project demonstrates demand for premium charging infrastructure in high end automotive retail, where aesthetic integration and technical performance are procurement priorities. It signals opportunities for CPOs and installers to serve luxury dealerships accommodating electric and plug in hybrid vehicles alongside traditional stock.
UK Power Networks launches Blue Light tool to help emergency services plan EV fleet charging
UK Power Networks has introduced Blue Light, a digital planning tool developed with police, fire and ambulance services to support their transition to electric fleets. The tool provides fleet managers with early visibility of electrical capacity at their sites and the potential impact of EV charging, along with insights on costs, delivery timescales and operational resilience. A trial is now underway with 999 services to gather feedback for the next phase of development.
Why it matters
Emergency services manage large, complex estates where charging infrastructure must meet demanding operational requirements, making early capacity planning critical. The tool addresses a key procurement challenge by enabling fleet managers to assess site suitability and infrastructure costs before committing to electrification projects.
Newcastle Council advisor urges local authorities to shift from LEVI grants to enabling private EV charging investment
David Trousdale, Principal Advisor for Sustainability at Newcastle City Council, argues that local authorities must move beyond reliance on the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund to facilitate private sector investment in EV charging infrastructure. With over 2 million fully electric vehicles now on UK roads and EVs representing one in five to one in four new car sales, Trousdale states the next phase requires councils to shift from asset delivery to market shaping roles. The future of LEVI and similar public funding streams remains uncertain, making commercial structuring and private investment critical for expanding the charging network.
Why it matters
As public grant programmes face uncertain futures, local authorities that develop commercial frameworks and procurement strategies to attract private capital will be better positioned to meet growing charging demand. This shift from direct delivery to market enablement could reshape how councils structure concessions and partnerships with charge point operators.
Bosch Road Services opens Electroway secure HGV parking site with high-power charging in Leicestershire
Bosch Road Services has launched Electroway, a 22,500 square metre secure truck parking site at Magna Park near Lutterworth, developed in partnership with Keoma Energy. The site combines secure HGV parking with dedicated high-power charging for electric heavy goods vehicles, accessible via Bosch's digital booking platform that covers over 30,000 spaces across more than 600 sites in 12 European countries, including over 50 UK locations. The facility addresses the UK's shortage of secure HGV parking while supporting electric truck infrastructure.
Why it matters
This project demonstrates how charging infrastructure is being integrated with essential logistics facilities to support the electrification of commercial fleets. The partnership model between a digital services provider and an energy specialist offers a template for scaling depot and en-route charging for heavy duty vehicles.
Fellten appoints Simon Tate as sales and marketing director to drive ChargeQube battery integrated charging expansion
Fellten, maker of the ChargeQube battery integrated rapid charging range, has hired Simon Tate as sales and marketing director to accelerate growth in fleet, automotive and industrial sectors. Tate previously held senior commercial roles at Elmtronics (now Mer Fleet Services), Fuuse and Indra Renewable Technologies. He will lead sales, marketing and partnership development for ChargeQube solutions, which are designed to overcome grid capacity constraints and lengthy depot deployment timescales.
Why it matters
The appointment signals Fellten's push to scale its battery integrated charging offer as an alternative for fleet operators facing grid connection delays. Tate's background across multiple charging providers gives him direct insight into procurement pain points that ChargeQube aims to solve.
Fellten · ChargeQube · Source
One in three UK electric car owners report charge rage at public charging points
A survey of 1,500 motorists found that 33 per cent of electric vehicle drivers have experienced charge rage, defined as arguments or disagreements over access to public charging stations. The findings come as the UK now has more than 124,000 public electric car chargers across the country, with drivers calling for additional support in the upcoming Budget.
Why it matters
Rising charge rage incidents signal potential capacity and user experience issues at public charging infrastructure, suggesting CPOs may need to review site layouts, queue management systems and capacity planning to reduce conflict and improve customer satisfaction as EV adoption grows.
One in three UK electric car owners report charge rage at public charging points
A survey of 1,500 motorists found that 33 per cent of electric vehicle drivers have experienced charge rage, defined as arguments or disagreements over access to public charging stations. The findings come as the UK now has more than 124,000 public electric car chargers across the country, with drivers calling for additional support in the upcoming Budget.
Why it matters
Rising charge rage incidents signal potential capacity constraints at existing UK charging infrastructure, suggesting CPOs and site hosts may need to accelerate deployment or improve queue management systems to meet growing demand from the expanding EV fleet.
Electric Vehicles
Skoda Epiq SportLine electric crossover priced from £32,450 in UK
Skoda has launched the SportLine trim as the flagship variant of its electric Epiq crossover, priced from £32,450 on the road in the UK. The model sits above the Edition 55 and comes exclusively with a 52kWh battery delivering 207bhp, featuring 19 inch black alloy wheels, matrix LED headlights, and vehicle to load capability as standard. The SportLine includes electrically adjustable seats with microsuede and artificial leather upholstery, a 13 inch central touchscreen, and heated steering wheel with regenerative braking paddles.
Why it matters
The Epiq SportLine's vehicle to load capability and competitive pricing in the electric crossover segment may influence fleet procurement decisions and charging infrastructure planning for workplace or destination sites. The model's positioning as a Renault 4 rival adds another mid market electric option for UK charge point operators targeting retail and leisure locations.
UK zero emission HGV registrations fall 50.7% in Q3 2026 despite wider market growth
Zero emission truck registrations in the UK dropped 50.7% in Q3 2026 to just 1.1% of the 9,941 new HGVs registered, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Year to date, zero emission HGV registrations are down 30.9%, holding just 1.0% market share, despite the overall HGV market returning to growth with a 7.2% quarterly rise. The figures contrast sharply with Q3 2025, when zero emission HGV registrations quadrupled and reached 2.4% market share.
Why it matters
The sharp fall in zero emission truck uptake signals weakening demand for charging infrastructure at depots and logistics hubs, potentially slowing investment in heavy duty charging networks. Fleet operators citing upfront vehicle costs as a barrier may delay or scale back charging infrastructure procurement, affecting CPO business cases for HGV charging rollout.
Lime deploys e-bike fleet in Walsall under West Midlands Combined Authority contract
Lime has launched a fleet of e-bikes across Walsall, replacing the existing West Midlands Cycle Hire scheme following appointment by the West Midlands Combined Authority. The fleet, described as Lime's most advanced model to date, is the only such fleet in the UK. Walsall Council Deputy Leader Councillor Nicky Barker attended the launch on 13 October, highlighting the bikes as providing convenient, affordable and sustainable travel options for commuting, public transport connections and local business visits.
Why it matters
The deployment demonstrates a regional authority's procurement of advanced micro-mobility infrastructure to support active travel and reduce congestion. For operators and suppliers, the contract signals demand for state-of-the-art e-bike technology in UK local authority schemes.
Grid & Energy
Glasgow Airport energises 10MW solar farm to meet 25% of on-site electricity demand
Ikigai Group and Zestec Renewable Energy have energised a 10MW solar PV plant at Glasgow Airport, comprising more than 14,300 photovoltaic panels. Developed in partnership with AGS Airports and delivered by contractor RSK Group, the first phase generates renewable electricity to meet around 25% of the airport's on-site demand. Zestec funded and delivered the project and will manage the infrastructure long term, supporting AGS Airports' commitment to net zero for its own emissions by 2035.
Why it matters
Large scale on-site solar at critical infrastructure demonstrates how airports can reduce grid reliance and operational energy costs while meeting decarbonisation targets. The project showcases a replicable model for energy transition advisers and developers working with transport hubs on long term renewable energy partnerships.