Daily EV news · UK · 30 October 2026
EV Charging
InstaVolt agrees national framework with Whitbread to bring ultra-rapid charging to Premier Inn sites
InstaVolt has agreed a national framework with Whitbread PLC, owner of Premier Inn, to build a pipeline of new ultra-rapid charging at well-located Premier Inn sites across the UK. Premier Inn has more than 845 hotels across the UK and Ireland. Earlier this year InstaVolt agreed to acquire 228 GeniePoint locations from Equans, comprising more than 260 chargers, including more than 100 locations associated with the Whitbread estate, and it plans to upgrade existing charging at Premier Inn sites with ultra-rapid hardware, enhanced grid connections where required and improved signage.
Why it matters
A national framework with the UK's largest hotel brand shows how a CPO can secure a repeatable host-site pipeline rather than negotiating site by site, building on an acquired footprint. Competing operators and landlords should note the pairing of hospitality dwell time with ultra-rapid upgrades of inherited charging assets.
MSI launches range of EV chargers in the UK
WhichEV reports that MSI has launched a range of EV chargers in the UK market. The available excerpt contains only site notices and page code, so it gives no details on power ratings, pricing, connector types, certifications or availability. Those specifics would need confirming from the full article or from MSI directly.
Why it matters
A new supplier entering the UK charger market could widen the options for CPOs and installers weighing hardware sourcing. Procurement teams should wait for confirmed specifications, compliance status and lead times before treating it as a viable option.
Believ takes control of 110 chargers in Brighton and Hove
Charge point operator Believ has assumed operation of more than 110 public chargers across over 30 locations in Brighton and Hove, taking over 7 to 22kW and 50kW plus rapid units previously run by Blink Charging. The CPO is also deploying a further 210 rapid and ultra-rapid chargers under a separate contract, with completion due by the end of 2028, while rapid site equipment replacements are scheduled to finish by the end of November 2026.
Why it matters
The handover demonstrates how local authorities are consolidating charging operations under new CPOs to improve reliability and meet public charging regulations, particularly in areas where 54% of residents lack off-street parking. The phased upgrade and expansion programme offers insight into how councils are balancing immediate service continuity with longer term infrastructure investment.
Kempower supplies 32 DC chargers for Leicestershire truck stop with plans to expand to 180 connectors
DC fast charging manufacturer Kempower has supplied heavy duty charging infrastructure for Electroway, a public truck stop at Magna Park in Lutterworth, Leicestershire, which officially launched in October 2026. The site, operated by Keoma Energy and funded by Guardian Smart Infrastructure Management, features 32 Kempower DC fast charging connectors with 2.4 megawatts of installed capacity across 180 secure parking bays, with plans to expand to around 180 connectors in the future. The turnkey design, grid connection and installation was managed by CX Energy, serving a logistics park with 50 depots operated by major companies including Amazon, ASDA and Marks & Spencer, where 40% of tenants have net zero pledges in place.
Why it matters
This represents one of the UK's largest electric HGV charging hubs and demonstrates the growing procurement pipeline for heavy duty charging infrastructure at strategic logistics locations. The phased expansion model from 32 to 180 connectors signals significant future contract opportunities as Keoma Energy builds its network of renewables integrated truck stops across the UK.
Electric Vehicles
Used EV searches jump 50% in September as fuel crisis drives interest
Views of secondhand electric vehicles on AA Cars rose 49.6% in September compared with the same month a year earlier, and were up 37% from August 2026, according to the platform's quarterly used car index. The surge comes as diesel prices exceed £2 per litre and average advertised prices for the 10 most searched used EVs stand at £18,633, just 1% more than petrol equivalents. The Nissan Leaf and Renault Zoe both averaged below £10,000 in Q3, at £8,693 and £8,255 respectively.
Why it matters
Growing affordability and availability of used EVs below £10,000 signals a broadening market that could accelerate fleet electrification and workplace charging demand. For charge point operators, the shift towards budget secondhand models may drive requirements for accessible public and destination charging as these buyers are less likely to have home charging infrastructure.
Geely targets 46,000 UK sales by 2027 after 20,000 unit first year
Chinese carmaker Geely expects to sell 20,000 vehicles in the UK by end 2025, including 6,000 fleet units, and aims to more than double that figure by 2027, according to fleet head Alan Barrett. The company launched in the UK in October 2025 with the EX5 electric SUV and now offers three models through 100 dealers, with nationwide overnight parts supply. Geely has secured listings with major leasing firms and salary sacrifice providers Tusker and Octopus, and is joining the Crown Commercial Framework for public sector access.
Why it matters
Geely's rapid UK expansion and fleet focus, backed by overnight parts logistics and broker partnerships, signals intensifying competition in the electric and PHEV fleet market. The 46,000 unit 2027 target and Crown Commercial Framework entry will drive demand for charging infrastructure at fleet depots and salary sacrifice workplace sites.
Grid & Energy
UK Government approves Sea Link undersea power cable between Suffolk and Kent
The Government has given the green light to the Sea Link power cable, which will run between Suffolk and Kent and carry up to two gigawatts of electricity from generators to homes. GB News reports the capacity could power the equivalent of two million homes, and puts the project cost at £350million in a piece framed around mounting Net Zero costs.
Why it matters
Added transmission capacity between East Anglia and Kent bears on grid headroom, which shapes connection prospects for charging sites in the region over the longer term. The cost framing also signals continued political scrutiny of grid and Net Zero spending, which CPOs and bidders should keep in view.
Policy & Market
Vehicle tax bill of £210 for Band E cars from April 2027, with older cars facing rates of up to £825
Published details show vehicle excise duty (VED) rates from April 2027, with bills for cars made between 2001 and 2017 ranging from £20 up to £825 depending on CO2 emissions band. Band E (131 to 140 g/km) will carry a £210 charge, and most cars sit between bands E and H, according to the article, which cites the RAC on rates rising in line with the Retail Prices Index. The piece is a consumer-facing news report from the West Midlands edition of the publication.
Why it matters
Rising VED rates for mid-to-high emission bands will shape vehicle choice and fleet cost assumptions, and charge point operators should note that the tax burden on combustion-engined vehicles is set to climb relative to the bands that low-emission vehicles occupy.
Renault executive says UK electric car targets are hurting EV residual values
Fabrice Cambolive, Chief Growth Officer of Renault Group, told GB News that the residual value of electric cars in the UK is being affected by government EV targets, as millions of drivers prepare to move away from petrol and diesel. He contrasted the UK with France, which he said had been "quite consistent" in its regulation of electric cars and the phase out of polluting vehicles. He also described hybrids as the "right solution" for some motorists.
Why it matters
Weak EV residual values can push up leasing and fleet financing costs, which in turn shapes driver demand for public charging. CPOs and procurement teams should weigh how policy uncertainty affects utilisation forecasts at new sites.
BIK taxation rates extended to 2030–31 with minimal rise, boosting salary sacrifice schemes
The UK Treasury has extended benefit in kind taxation rates for electric cars through to the 2030 to 2031 tax year, with zero emissions vehicles rising by just one percentage point to 10%. Arval UK's head of sales for large corporate and international, John Peters, said the five year certainty and minimal increase will support ongoing fleet electrification, noting that low employee taxation has driven the widespread switch to electric cars in recent years.
Why it matters
Extended BIK certainty to 2030–31 gives fleet operators and salary sacrifice providers a stable planning horizon for electric vehicle programmes, while the modest rate increase preserves the tax advantage that has underpinned corporate EV adoption and associated charging infrastructure demand.
UK Corporation Tax relief on electric company cars to drop from 100% to 12% in April 2027
The 100% first year capital allowance for new, fully electric company cars ends on 31 March 2027, after which the relief falls to 12%. A £50,000 electric vehicle currently yields a £12,500 Corporation Tax saving at the 25% rate, but this will drop to £1,500 after the deadline. The allowance applies only to new, unused zero emission cars and also covers electric vehicle charge point spending, prompting businesses to review purchasing plans before the cut off.
Why it matters
Fleet operators and charge point operators may accelerate procurement of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure to capture the full tax relief before April 2027. The sharp reduction in allowances could slow corporate EV adoption and charge point investment after the deadline, affecting demand forecasts for CPO projects.