Daily EV news · UK · 29 October 2026
EV Charging
Optimo Energy to manage 700 charging connectors for London Ambulance Service electric fleet
SEE Services has selected Optimo Energy as its Fleet Energy Operating System partner to manage over 700 charging connectors for London Ambulance Service's expanding electric vehicle fleet. Optimo's hardware agnostic platform will integrate charging infrastructure, vehicle telematics, battery state of charge data and real-time site energy management, backed by 24/7 operational monitoring. The system aims to ensure ambulance readiness by dynamically allocating power according to vehicle requirements and site electrical constraints, addressing the critical need for rapid turnaround when ambulances return from emergencies.
Why it matters
This deployment demonstrates how intelligent energy management software is becoming essential for mission critical EV fleets where vehicle availability cannot be compromised. For CPOs and fleet operators, it highlights the growing demand for platforms that can orchestrate charging at scale while managing site power constraints and operational readiness requirements.
Raw Charging opens eight charger hub at Clarks Village Somerset
Raw Charging has opened an EV charging hub at Clarks Village in Somerset, installing four 22kW AC Standard Plus and four 50kW DC Rapid chargers to replace previous 7kW units. The site forms part of a 20 year partnership between Raw and Landsec to deliver more than 1,000 EV charging bays across 28 retail and leisure destinations in the UK, including Bluewater, Gunwharf Quays, White Rose Shopping Centre and Brighton Marina. The partnership also includes a programme to replace and upgrade legacy charging infrastructure that no longer meets current standards for speed, reliability or accessibility.
Why it matters
The rollout demonstrates how CPOs are securing long term anchor contracts with major property owners to scale networks at high footfall retail sites. The replacement of legacy 7kW chargers with faster AC and DC units reflects the sector's shift towards infrastructure that meets rising driver expectations for speed and reliability.
Fuuse and Drax Electric Vehicles migrate nearly 1,000 BP Pulse fleet customers with 14,000 charging sockets
Fuuse and Drax Electric Vehicles have partnered to migrate nearly 1,000 BP Pulse fleet customers, covering more than 14,000 charging sockets, in what is described as a landmark infrastructure transition. The migration includes warranty support to ensure continuity of service for the affected fleet operators.
Why it matters
This large scale migration demonstrates the growing consolidation and handover activity in the UK fleet charging market, with implications for procurement teams managing existing BP Pulse contracts. The involvement of specialist migration partners like Fuuse signals the complexity and risk in transferring thousands of installed charge points between operators.
Fuuse (uk) · Drax Electric Vehicles (uk) · BP Pulse (uk) · Source
InstaVolt named among UK's 200 fastest growing companies in 2026 Fast Growth Index
InstaVolt has been included in the 2026 UK Fast Growth Index, which ranks the nation's 350 fastest growing businesses across seven regions. The 350 firms collectively more than doubled turnover in two years, growing from £4.3 billion to £10.2 billion and adding nearly £6 billion to the UK economy. InstaVolt attributes its growth to increased driver usage at existing stop locations and network expansion aligned with electric vehicle adoption.
Why it matters
The recognition signals InstaVolt's commercial momentum in the UK charge point operator market, potentially strengthening its position in site acquisition negotiations and investor confidence. Sustained revenue growth among leading CPOs indicates maturing demand for public charging infrastructure and validates business models built on high utilisation networks.
UK government consults on mandatory cybersecurity baseline for public EV chargers
The Department for Transport has opened a consultation, running until 20 December 2026, on enforcing a strict cybersecurity baseline and physical anti-tamper protections for all public electric vehicle chargers sold or installed in Britain. Currently, no specific cybersecurity mandates exist for public charging infrastructure despite rapid network expansion. The consultation addresses risks including direct attacks on charge points and manipulation to compromise wider network systems.
Why it matters
Charge point operators and equipment suppliers may face new compliance requirements that could affect procurement specifications, installation standards and operational costs. The move aims to prevent infrastructure blackouts and maintain driver confidence, which are critical for continued network investment and utilisation.
Electric Vehicles
BMW launches i3 electric saloon with 108.7kWh battery and 462bhp output
BMW has introduced its new i3 electric saloon alongside the ICE 3 Series, featuring a 108.7kWh net battery and four wheel drive producing 462bhp and 476lb ft in the 50 variant. The i3 is the second model on BMW's Neue Klasse EV architecture after the iX3 SUV, with a separately excited synchronous rear motor delivering 322bhp and an asynchronous front motor producing 165bhp. The battery case forms an integral part of the body structure, with the top deck serving as the cabin floor, and slower and cheaper versions are planned for later release.
Why it matters
The i3's high capacity battery and integrated structural design signal BMW's commitment to premium EV platforms, potentially driving demand for workplace and destination charging infrastructure capable of handling larger battery packs. Fleet operators and charge point operators targeting the executive saloon segment will need to consider the charging requirements of this new model as it enters the UK market.
VW ID Polo and Kia EV2 both priced near £28,000 with 260 to 280 mile range
Volkswagen's ID Polo and Kia's EV2 are entering the UK market at around £28,000 pre-grant, with range estimates of 260 to 280 miles. The ID Polo offers 211 horsepower and 116 gallons of boot space with a 52 kWh battery rated at 281 miles, while the EV2 pairs a 58 kWh battery with 275 miles of range, 135 horsepower and 96 gallons of boot space. Both vehicles charge at 105 to 115 kW peak, reaching 10% to 80% in under 30 minutes, according to a YouTube review by Electrifying.
Why it matters
The arrival of affordable small EVs under £30,000 with practical range and charging speeds signals growing mainstream adoption, likely increasing demand for destination and en route charging infrastructure to support family buyers. Monthly costs around £300 position these models as volume sellers that will shape near term charging network utilisation patterns.
Hyundai Ioniq 6 facelift cuts UK price to £33,240 with grant, adds 84kWh battery for 422 mile range
Hyundai has launched the updated Ioniq 6 in the UK at £33,240 including the £3,750 Band 1 Electric Car Grant, nearly £14,000 cheaper than the pre-facelift model and undercutting the Tesla Model 3 by almost £5,000. The refresh introduces a new 84kWh battery replacing the previous 77kWh unit, extending range from 338 miles to 422 miles on the entry Premium trim with its 225bhp rear motor. Three trim levels are now offered, with N Line variants available in both rear wheel drive and all wheel drive configurations.
Why it matters
The substantial price reduction and range increase position the Ioniq 6 as a more competitive fleet and salary sacrifice option against Tesla and Mercedes, potentially shifting procurement decisions for organisations evaluating mid-range electric saloons. The wider availability and improved value proposition may also drive increased demand for workplace and destination charging infrastructure to support these vehicles.
Used car values fall 1.7% in October but electric vehicles hold firm
Used car values in the UK dropped 1.7% or £350 in October, exceeding the typical seasonal decline of 1.4%, according to Solera Cap HPI data tracking three year old vehicles with 60,000 miles. Trade volumes for cars aged three to five years surged almost 20% compared to the same period last year, while aggressive new car discounts and pre-registered stock pressured nearly new prices. Electric vehicles bucked the overall downward trend.
Why it matters
Resilient EV residual values amid a weakening used car market may strengthen the business case for fleet electrification and improve total cost of ownership calculations for charge point operators targeting commercial customers. Stronger EV demand in the used market also signals growing mainstream acceptance, potentially expanding the addressable market for public charging infrastructure.
Grid & Energy
UK homeowner questions 18% reserve setting on 16.1 kWh Fogstar home battery
A UK homeowner has raised concerns after discovering their installer set an 18% minimum state of charge on a Fogstar Energy ECO 48V 16.1 kWh battery, holding nearly 2.9 kWh in reserve, despite online sources suggesting the system can operate as low as 5%. Other users on Reddit's r/SolarUK reported similar batteries configured to 11% or 9% minimums, with the difference potentially affecting savings for households using batteries to store solar power or exploit variable rate metering. The query highlights confusion over optimal battery management settings for residential energy storage systems.
Why it matters
For installers and battery suppliers, the case underscores the need for clear guidance on minimum state of charge settings, as conservative configurations can reduce usable capacity by up to 1 kWh or more, directly affecting customer savings and satisfaction. As home battery installations grow, standardised commissioning practices will become increasingly important for the residential storage market.
Octopus Energy customer draws criticism for plan to slow EV charging to extend cheap home tariff window
A UK Octopus Energy customer using the Intelligent Octopus Go tariff asked online whether slowing their VW ID.3's AC charging from roughly 7.4 kilowatts to about 2.5 kilowatts could extend cheap daytime electricity slots to power a home battery and hot water cylinder. The customer noted that qualifying half hour periods under the smart tariff give the house cheaper electricity, making afternoon windows valuable for carrying the battery through the evening before 11.30pm. The post in the r/OctopusEnergy Reddit thread drew backlash, with some saying people who cheat the system are why charge limits were imposed in the first place.
Why it matters
The incident highlights tensions around smart tariff design as home energy storage and vehicle to grid integration grow, with suppliers needing to balance customer flexibility against system gaming that could undermine tariff economics. For charge point operators and energy firms, it underscores the complexity of managing domestic smart charging schemes when households use EVs as part of broader energy management strategies.
UK and France advance tidal power projects despite higher generation costs
The UK and France are backing tidal stream technology that currently costs £259 per megawatt hour to generate, significantly more than wind or solar, but offers predictable output to complement intermittent renewables. Global tidal deployment stands at around 20 megawatts, with plans to reach 400 megawatts in the early 2030s through projects in Scotland and France. The industry is targeting an 80 per cent cost reduction to £50 per megawatt hour by 2035, according to Interesting Engineering.
Why it matters
Predictable tidal generation could reduce grid balancing costs and reliance on backup power, potentially lowering overall electricity bills despite higher per unit costs. For EV charging operators, a more stable renewable baseload may improve grid reliability and reduce exposure to price volatility during peak demand periods.
UK homeowner plans battery expansion after 15 panel solar system fails in storm blackout
A UK household with 15 rooftop solar panels and a 5 kilowatt hour battery lost power during a storm, despite the same system successfully handling four or five previous outages. The homeowner, posting on r/UKPreppers, attributed the failure to insufficient stored capacity after a dark, stormy day left the battery depleted when the grid went down. The incident has prompted the homeowner to consider expanding battery storage capacity, with online discussion highlighting the importance of gateway equipment that allows solar and battery systems to continue supplying homes safely during blackouts.
Why it matters
The case illustrates real world performance limits of residential solar and battery installations under adverse weather conditions, informing procurement specifications for backup capacity in distributed energy projects. It also underscores the technical requirement for islanding capable gateway equipment in home energy storage deployments, a consideration for installers and equipment suppliers in the UK market.
Policy & Market
UK introduces eVED pay per mile tax for electric vehicles from 2026
The UK Government confirmed in the 2026 Budget it will implement eVED, a pay per mile tax on electric vehicles first proposed in 2025. Battery electric vehicles will be charged 3p per mile, while plug in hybrids and fuel cell vehicles will pay 1.5p per mile. The Office for Budget Responsibility estimates a BEV driver covering 8,500 miles annually will pay an additional £255 per year.
Why it matters
The new tax structure directly affects total cost of ownership calculations for fleet operators and workplace charging programmes, potentially influencing procurement decisions and charging infrastructure investment strategies. CPOs may need to adjust pricing models as the tax narrows the running cost advantage of EVs over combustion vehicles.
Fuel Duty relief outweighs EV charging support by 13 to one, analysis finds
The UK Government has committed more than £13 to Fuel Duty relief for every £1 allocated to reducing public EV charging costs in the Autumn Budget, according to analysis by New AutoMotive. Extending Fuel Duty relief will cost the Exchequer £1.35bn across 2026-27 and 2027-28, compared with £100m committed over two years to making local public EV charging more affordable. The Budget extended the existing 5p per litre Fuel Duty cut until July 2027, while maintaining VAT on public EV charging at 20%.
Why it matters
The disparity in fiscal support highlights a policy imbalance that may slow public charging infrastructure investment and uptake, as operators and users face higher tax burdens than fossil fuel alternatives. For CPOs and procurement teams, the sustained 20% VAT on public charging versus extended fuel subsidies could affect business case modelling and demand forecasts.
AFP issues six point checklist for fleets after UK Budget extends BIK tables to 2030/2031
The Association of Fleet Professionals has published a six point checklist following the UK Budget delivered by Chancellor John Healey. The AFP called on government to examine the extended benefit in kind tables, now running to 2030/2031, and their impact on fleet operations including salary sacrifice schemes. The checklist also urged fleets to update financial forecasts reflecting fuel duty and HGV VED extensions, review grey fleet policy with higher Approved Mileage Allowance Payment, refresh vehicle replacement strategies aligned with Euro 7 timelines, prepare for electric Vehicle Excise Duty through mileage capture and telematics, and assess total cost of ownership impacts on PHEVs versus BEVs under Euro 7.
Why it matters
The extended BIK certainty to 2030/2031 strengthens the business case for salary sacrifice EV schemes, a key procurement route for workplace charging demand. Fleet operators must now align vehicle replacement cycles and charging infrastructure planning with Euro 7 introduction and the incoming electric VED, affecting both capex timing and operational cost models for charge point operators serving fleet customers.
UK Budget raises company car tax on EVs and PHEVs, fleet operators call it missed opportunity
The UK Autumn Budget confirmed company car Benefit-in-Kind tax rates will rise by one percentage point in April 2030, with electric vehicles seeing the steepest increases from 4% in 2026/27 to 10% in 2030/31. For a 20% taxpayer driving a Volkswagen ID 3 Style with 79kWh battery, monthly Benefit-in-Kind bills will rise from £27 to £67. Fleet specialists criticised the Budget for failing to deliver tax breaks to support plug-in hybrid and electric company car demand, noting that three quarters of company car drivers currently pay Benefit-in-Kind on vehicles under 50g/km according to HMRC data.
Why it matters
Higher tax rates on electric company cars could slow fleet electrification at a time when operators are already under cost pressure, potentially dampening demand for EVs and the charging infrastructure needed to support them. The lack of incentives for plug-in hybrids, which previously benefited from lower tax bands for vehicles between 1 to 50g/km CO2, may further complicate fleet transition planning.
UK confirms April 2028 EV mileage tax despite fleet sector warnings
The Treasury's Autumn Budget 2026 confirms the Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED) will launch in April 2028 as a pay-per-mile system, aiming to offset declining fuel duty receipts and growing tax reliefs. The Government announced technical measures including a mileage estimation tool and an opt-in eVED Connect system to ease the transition, following feedback from a public consultation. Fleet and automotive industry groups have warned the tax will slow EV adoption.
Why it matters
A mileage-based tax from 2028 could alter total cost of ownership calculations for fleet operators and affect demand forecasts for charging infrastructure, particularly workplace and depot charging tied to commercial EV uptake.