Daily EV news · UK · 26 October 2026
EV Charging
Go Eve raises £750,000 for DockChain fleet charging technology
Wolverhampton based Go Eve, a spin out from University College Dublin and Imperial College London, has secured £750,000 (US$1 million) from Innovate UK and private investors for its patented DockChain technology. The system charges multiple vehicles sequentially from a single DC charger, reducing the need for new charging stations at every bay and minimising electrical infrastructure requirements. The 18 month project will develop hardware, software and firmware to enable more reliable control over charging sessions without physically unplugging vehicles, with existing units upgradable to the new technology.
Why it matters
The technology addresses a critical infrastructure challenge as UK commercial fleet EV penetration is projected to reach 30% to 50% by 2030, allowing fleet operators to scale fast charging capacity without proportional increases in grid connections or charging hardware. For charge point operators and fleet managers, DockChain offers a route to expand charging provision within existing electrical capacity constraints and parking footprints.
Raw Charging opens 16-bay rapid hub in Dudley with 150kW and 300kW chargers
Raw Charging has launched its largest rapid EV hub in Dudley, installing 16 ultra-rapid charging bays in Tipton that comprise eight 150kW and eight 300kW chargers, including two priority bays. Developed with Hubber, the site supports contactless payment and all major EV apps. Raw's network now covers more than 500 sites and over 2,500 charging bays across the UK, with partnerships including Bentley Bridge and Leamington Spa Shopping Park.
Why it matters
The 16-bay Tipton hub marks a significant rollout milestone for Raw Charging in the Black Country and demonstrates continued expansion of high-power charging infrastructure for drivers without home charging access. The scale and power mix, alongside partnerships with major retail destinations, signals growing CPO confidence in hub-based deployment models.
Bidfood installs Kempower overhead charging at Slough depot for electric trucks
UK food wholesaler Bidfood has deployed Kempower's overhead charging infrastructure at its Slough depot, with four charging bays integrated into existing loading docks. The system uses four Kempower Control Units mounted on a gantry, each paired with a Cable Arm and fed by a single 600 kW Power Unit that delivers up to 160 kW per bay, allowing trucks to recharge during 45 minute to 2 hour loading windows. Installation partner Erinion completed the first such project at a Bidfood site, where two electric trucks now operate.
Why it matters
The overhead design addresses a critical constraint for depot operators facing UK HGV electrification mandates from 2035, eliminating ground space loss and enabling charging during existing operational stops. The modular Kempower architecture and dynamic power sharing offer a scalable template for fleet depots with limited footprint and tight turnaround schedules.
UK Government consults on tenant rights to request EV charging installations
The UK Government has opened a consultation on proposals to grant tenants and leaseholders new rights to request electric vehicle charging point installations at their properties. Officials state the measures aim to address structural barriers where permission requests are sometimes refused without clear reason by landlords or freeholders. The consultation document notes that lease considerations create obstacles to charge point deployment, though some letting agents have criticised the proposals as unnecessary.
Why it matters
If enacted, the policy could expand the addressable market for residential charge point operators by removing landlord veto power, potentially unlocking installations across rental and leasehold properties where procurement decisions currently rest with property owners rather than occupiers.
Electric Vehicles
Genesis GV60 facelift reviewed with 84kWh battery and £54,115 starting price
Ian Smith reviewed the 2026 Genesis GV60 Performance electric SUV, which features an upgraded 84kWh battery, a 27-inch OLED dashboard display, and a starting price of £54,115 for the entry Pure trim. The top Performance model lists at around £72,000, placing all variants above the £50,000 Expensive Car Supplement threshold, adding £440 annually in VED for years two to six. The 4% Benefit-in-Kind rate for electric cars results in monthly costs of roughly £60 for 20% taxpayers and £120 for 40% taxpayers for the Performance trim.
Why it matters
Fleet operators evaluating premium electric SUVs must account for the additional £2,200 VED levy over five years on all GV60 variants, which affects total cost of ownership calculations. The model competes in the luxury segment with upgraded battery capacity and cabin technology, targeting corporate users willing to absorb higher tax thresholds for executive transport.
Grid & Energy
UK homeowners weigh battery purchase timing as zero-rated VAT ends 1 April
A UK homeowner debating whether to install a home battery now or wait for a cheaper model faces a trade-off: a forthcoming unit may cost 10 to 15 per cent less, but delaying risks missing the zero per cent VAT relief that expires on 1 April, after which the rate rises to 5 per cent. The discussion, posted in the r/SolarUK forum, highlights uncertainty over first-generation product reliability and installation costs, with some commenters noting that backup power may justify the premium despite years without outages.
Why it matters
The April VAT deadline creates a near-term procurement window for residential storage installers and suppliers, potentially pulling forward orders that might otherwise wait for next-generation hardware. For charge-point operators eyeing vehicle-to-home or bundled energy products, the policy shift underscores how tax incentives shape customer timing and the competitive landscape for behind-the-meter storage.
UK homeowner reports 23 kWh battery and solar system cut grid purchases to zero, saving £1,050 in six months
A UK resident installed a 5.6 kilowatt solar array with 23 kilowatt hours of battery storage in April, reporting zero electricity purchases and £1,050 (around $1,400) in savings over the following six months compared to the prior year. The system, paired with a 6 kilowatt inverter, two electric vehicles, and Octopus IOG and Agile Export tariffs, also offset the household's gas bill over the period. The owner noted that results depend on tariff selection, EV charging patterns and ongoing system tuning, and that some peak rate imports and system losses remain unavoidable.
Why it matters
The case illustrates how residential battery storage paired with solar and time of use tariffs can eliminate grid reliance and accelerate payback, a model that may inform business cases for domestic charge point operators and fleet depot planners evaluating on site generation and storage. It also highlights the role of tariff optimisation and load management in maximising returns from distributed energy resources at the building level.
Scotland wind farm recycles nearly 100% of 26 decommissioned turbines
Scotland's oldest wind farm decommissioned 26 original turbines and recycled or reused nearly all materials, according to a report cited by Good Good Good. Most component processing took place within 30 miles of the site, reducing transport and supporting local recycling capacity. The project addresses disposal concerns often raised by critics of wind power expansion.
Why it matters
The near total material recovery rate offers a replicable model for CPOs and developers planning end of life strategies for ageing renewable infrastructure, while local processing within 30 miles demonstrates supply chain efficiencies that can reduce decommissioning costs and strengthen community support for future projects.
Policy & Market
ZEV Mandate weakening could add 147 megatonnes of carbon by 2035, ECIU warns
Analysis by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit finds that cutting the UK's Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate from 80% to 70% of new sales by 2030 would produce emissions exceeding those from burning all gas in the Jackdaw oil field. A reduction to 50% could create a policy cliff edge in 2035 and add 147 megatonnes of carbon, equivalent to 58% of emissions from Rosebank oil field use. The ECIU notes the car industry has met the Mandate for its first two years and is on track for 2026, while France and Germany achieved 42% and 34.6% EV market share respectively in September.
Why it matters
Weakening the ZEV Mandate could slow the transition to electric vehicles, reducing demand for charging infrastructure investment and potentially delaying the business case for charge point operators expanding networks. The policy shift may also encourage plug in hybrid sales over pure EVs, which require different charging strategies and could complicate infrastructure planning for operators targeting battery electric vehicle growth.
Wandsworth Council launches Fair Use Charter to tackle e-bike pavement obstructions
Wandsworth Council in London has introduced a Fair Use Charter for e-bike and e-scooter operators to address obstructive parking and improve safety, following eight million journeys in the borough in 2025 with numbers expected to exceed 10 million this year. The Charter includes a new operational team patrolling known hotspots to remove badly parked bikes and encourages residents to report obstructions blocking pavements, roads and public spaces. The move responds to resident concerns about poorly parked bikes affecting wheelchair users, people with buggies and those with reduced mobility.
Why it matters
Local authority enforcement frameworks like Wandsworth's Charter signal tightening operational standards for micromobility operators, which may influence procurement criteria and compliance costs for shared mobility schemes across UK councils. The focus on accessibility and pavement clearance could shape future tender requirements for e-bike and e-scooter contracts in urban areas.
Electric Car Scheme urges Government to cap EV benefit in kind at 9% until 2035
The Electric Car Scheme has called on the UK Government to cap benefit in kind on electric vehicles at 9% until 2035 in the Autumn Budget 2026, alongside a reduced BiK rate for used EVs. The organisation also urged protection and extension of salary sacrifice schemes and a cut to VAT on public charging, which currently stands at 20% compared to 0% for home electricity until 31 March 2027. CEO Thom Groot said the Budget is the Government's chance to show it is serious about making net zero affordable for working households.
Why it matters
A BiK cap and VAT reduction on public charging would directly affect the economics of workplace EV schemes and public charging infrastructure deployment. Lower taxation could accelerate fleet electrification and improve the business case for charge point operators serving commercial and public sites.