Daily EV news · UK · 20 October 2026
EV Charging
Scotland offers up to £3,500 grants for cross pavement EV charging in homes without driveways
The Scottish Government has launched the Cross-pavement Charging Grant, providing up to £3,500 to help households without off street parking install EV charging equipment that runs cables through enclosed pavement channels. The scheme, administered by Energy Saving Trust for Transport Scotland, is currently accepting applications in East Lothian and Renfrewshire, with typical installation costs starting at around £800. The grant includes up to £400 towards a home charge point and forms part of a wider £17.8 million electric vehicle incentive package for 2026/27.
Why it matters
The scheme addresses a key barrier to residential EV adoption by enabling domestic tariff access for households without driveways, potentially expanding the addressable market for home charging installers in participating Scottish council areas. CPOs and installers should monitor which additional local authorities join the programme as it rolls out across Scotland.
Roam wins 170 socket EV charging contract across ProsperCap's 14 UK hotels
Roam has secured a provider funded contract to install 170 EV charging sockets across 14 UK hotels owned by Singapore listed ProsperCap Corporation Limited. The deployment comprises 158 22kW sockets and 12 50kW rapid charging sockets, with installation work commencing in September 2026. The hotels, located in key regional UK cities, operate under Hilton, IHG and Marriott brands and are managed by Valor Hospitality Europe Limited.
Why it matters
This hospitality sector contract expands Roam's UK hotel charging network following its recognition as the UK's leading hotel EV charging provider in Zapmap research earlier in 2026. The provider funded model demonstrates how CPOs can secure multi site hotel portfolios without upfront capital from property owners.
Roam · ProsperCap · Source
Used EV buyers prioritise charging speeds over range, finds dealer survey
Two thirds of motor dealers surveyed for Startline's Used Car Tracker report that used electric car buyers are now more interested in charging speeds than outright range. Over half (55%) of dealers say drivers are better informed about their specific range needs, while 50% state that most electric cars now have adequate range for average buyers. The research found 38% of dealers report most used EV buyers seek a 300 mile range, with 23% preferring 400 miles and only 17% accepting 200 miles.
Why it matters
The shift in buyer priorities towards charging speed suggests procurement teams and charge point operators should emphasise rapid charging infrastructure in their planning and marketing. Dealers reporting that 37% still find shorter range models tough to sell indicates continued demand for reliable, fast charging networks to support the used EV market.
Connected Kerb opens Aberdeen manufacturing hub with £350,000 investment, targets 25,000 chargers by 2030
Connected Kerb has opened a manufacturing and innovation hub at the W-Zero-1 facility in Aberdeen's Energy Transition Zone, investing £350,000 in the site. The facility will produce more than 3,000 public chargers in 2027, scaling to 25,000 units by the end of 2030 to fulfil major contracts with city and regional authorities across the UK. The expansion follows Connected Kerb's acquisition of Aberdeen-based Trojan Energy earlier in 2025, bringing Flat and Flush on-street charging technology and manufacturing capabilities into the business.
Why it matters
The new production capacity signals Connected Kerb's readiness to deliver large-scale municipal charging contracts, with output ramping from 3,000 to 25,000 units over three years. Authorities procuring on-street infrastructure now have visibility of a UK-based supplier with proven heritage technology and the manufacturing scale to meet multi-year rollout commitments.
Believ wins Torridge District Council contract to install 26 chargers across North Devon
Charge point operator Believ has been awarded a contract by Torridge District Council to deliver a fully funded network of 26 standard plus and rapid EV chargers in council owned car parks across North Devon. Believ was selected through a competitive public procurement process, with the first phase of installations expected to go live later this year and initial sites aimed for delivery within 90 days of contract signing. The operator will handle supply, installation, operation and maintenance of the network.
Why it matters
The contract demonstrates how district councils are using competitive procurement to accelerate charging rollout, with a 90 day delivery target for initial sites setting a pace benchmark for similar local authority projects. The fully funded model and focus on accessible parking bays also signals evolving procurement criteria beyond pure cost.
Torridge District Council awards Believ contract for up to 26 charge points across north-west Devon
Torridge District Council has selected Believ through competitive public procurement to install and operate up to 26 EV charging stations across council-owned car parks in the district, which serves more than 68,000 residents in north-west Devon. The network will include standard and rapid chargers at sites including Churchfield Car Park in Appledore, Riverbank Car Park in Bideford, and Manor Car Park in Holsworthy. Believ will fully fund and manage the network, with the first phase expected to go live later this year.
Why it matters
The contract demonstrates how smaller district councils are using fully funded CPO models to deploy charging infrastructure without capital outlay, with Believ securing a multi-site rollout through competitive tender. The phased deployment of up to 26 stations across rural north-west Devon highlights ongoing efforts to extend public charging access beyond urban centres.
Electric Vehicles
Li Auto to enter UK market in autumn 2027 with family focused EVs and range extenders
Chinese premium brand Li Auto will launch in the UK in autumn 2027, following spring 2026 entries into Norway and the Netherlands with its i6 electric SUV. The company, China's best selling homegrown premium brand, plans to offer both battery electric and range extender vehicles targeting family buyers. The i6, measuring 4,950mm and priced to match the BMW iX3 (from £53,250), was China's best selling premium model to end August 2024.
Why it matters
A new premium EV entrant targeting family buyers will increase competition for charging infrastructure at residential and destination sites. Li Auto's dual powertrain strategy (BEV and range extender) may influence charging demand patterns as the brand scales across European markets from 2026.
Used luxury EVs trail ICE cars by up to 6.4% on resale values, Brego warns fleets
Used luxury electric vehicles are depreciating faster than petrol and diesel equivalents, with an average retail residual value gap of 1.9% at one year old, 0.7% at two years, 0.9% at three years and 1.3% at four years in favour of ICE models, according to valuation specialist Brego. The analysis covered Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo and Genesis models, with Mercedes showing the starkest difference at 6.4% in favour of ICE cars at four years old. Volvo was the only manufacturer with a retained value bias favouring EVs, ranging from 0.8% at one year to 1.9% at four years, as reported by Autocar.
Why it matters
Fleet operators considering luxury EV adoption face higher depreciation costs on most brands, potentially affecting total cost of ownership calculations and lease pricing. The data suggests market uncertainty around battery technology and range improvements is suppressing used EV values, a factor procurement teams must weigh against operational savings.
Grid & Energy
UK Power Networks raises auto approval rate for EV chargers and heat pumps to 86%
UK Power Networks now automatically approves more than 86% of applications for domestic EV charge points and heat pumps, up from 70% a year ago, making it the industry leader for auto approvals for two consecutive years according to Octopus Energy's annual league table. For EV charge points specifically, approvals increased from 68% in July 2025 to 88% in June 2026, while heat pump approvals rose from 74% to 86% over the same period. The increase has been driven by enhanced digital tools, improved collaboration with installers and ongoing refinements to approval processes.
Why it matters
Faster grid connection approvals reduce installation delays for EV charge points, helping installers and charge point operators scale deployment more efficiently. The improved auto approval rate signals that network operators can handle rising LCT demand without compromising technical standards, which is critical for meeting UK electrification targets.
UK homeowner explores battery storage to shift heating costs from gas to off-peak electricity
A British homeowner planning to install a Fogstar home battery and 6 kilowatt inverter asked whether overnight charging on Intelligent Octopus Go could cut gas heating bills, with one commenter noting EDF's EV night tariff at 6.6 pence per kilowatt hour appears roughly 25 per cent cheaper than gas per kilowatt hour. The discussion in Reddit's r/SolarUK community saw multiple replies recommend air to air heat pumps over resistance heaters to maximise efficiency from stored off-peak power.
Why it matters
The exchange highlights growing consumer interest in pairing home batteries with time of use tariffs to displace fossil heating, a trend that could shape demand for residential storage and heat pump installations. For installers and energy retailers, it underscores the need to educate customers on heat pump economics alongside battery systems to unlock deeper bill savings.
Policy & Market
UK government reviewing ZEV mandate with 2030 target likely cut to 60 per cent under Burnham
The Department for Transport has confirmed the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate is under review, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham's government expected to reduce the 2030 target from 80 per cent to 60 per cent for car manufacturers. The current mandate requires 38 per cent of car sales to be zero emission in 2027, rising to 52 per cent in 2028, 66 per cent in 2029, and 80 per cent in 2030, before a full phase out of new internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035. Previous reports suggested former business secretary Peter Kyle had proposed a deeper cut to 50 per cent, but the new administration is pursuing a more modest reduction.
Why it matters
A lower ZEV mandate target could slow the rollout of public and workplace charging infrastructure if manufacturers reduce EV production volumes, affecting procurement timelines and investment decisions. Charge point operators planning network expansion based on the original 80 per cent target may need to revise demand forecasts and deployment schedules.