Search: EU Commission

ABB E-mobility has partnered with SaveMoneyCutCarbon (SMCC) to deliver its DC fast charging products to UK charging operators. The certified channel partner offers in-house design, grid connection management, installation, commissioning, software, back-office management, maintenance and operational support, alongside flexible financing options. ABB E-mobility works with a selected group of channel partners across Europe, each completing an onboarding and certification programme to ensure consistent installation and support quality.

Why it matters: The partnership creates a new procurement route for UK operators seeking turnkey DC fast charging projects, with a single supplier handling technical delivery from site design through to long-term maintenance. Flexible financing may lower barriers for fleet and depot operators planning charging infrastructure rollouts.

A YouGov poll commissioned by ChargeUK found 34 per cent of UK respondents believe the electric vehicle transition is moving at a good pace, 19 per cent want it sped up, and 37 per cent want it slowed down. Among Labour voters, 41 per cent support the current pace and 27 per cent favour acceleration, versus 21 per cent seeking a slowdown. The findings come as government reportedly considers loosening Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate requirements despite manufacturer calls for flexibility.

Why it matters: Public backing for the current or faster EV rollout strengthens the case for maintaining charging infrastructure investment timelines and ZEV Mandate commitments. Charge point operators and local authorities planning network expansions can cite majority voter support when securing funding or planning consent against political pressure to delay.

The Uttar Pradesh government will construct 15 modern bus queue shelters across Varanasi, India, each equipped with EV charging stations, free Wi-Fi, mobile charging points, smart LED displays and CCTV cameras. The shelters will be powered by solar energy and include advertising panels to generate revenue for maintenance and operations, according to municipal commissioner Himanshu Nagpal.

Why it matters: The project demonstrates how municipalities are integrating EV charging into public transport infrastructure, creating new procurement opportunities for charge point operators to partner with smart city initiatives. Solar powered, revenue generating bus shelters represent a replicable model for embedding charging infrastructure in urban amenity projects across India.

A leaked draft of the EU's electrification strategy, seen by EV Infrastructure News and due for publication on 15 or 17 July, commits the European Commission to presenting a framework for reducing VAT on EVs, heat pumps and domestic batteries under the Green VAT initiative targeting 30% electrification by 2030. The Commission will assess stronger zero emissions vehicle uptake targets for public procurement and put forward a recommendation for fiscal and nonfiscal demand side incentives for EV uptake by Q4 2026.

Why it matters: Reduced VAT on EVs and stronger public procurement mandates could accelerate fleet electrification across EU member states, driving demand for charging infrastructure. The Q4 2026 incentive framework may shape how public sector bodies and charge point operators structure their investment cases over the next two years.

Dublin Airport operator daa has commissioned Ireland's first pantograph charging system to support 14 zero-emission Aircoach shuttle buses serving 2.5 million passengers annually between car parks and terminals. The infrastructure enables rapid charging during scheduled route stops, supplemented by a seven-bay depot charging facility for overnight use. The project received €4.7 million in funding from the European Commission through the Connecting Europe Facility Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility.

Why it matters: The deployment demonstrates pantograph technology scaling beyond urban transit into airport shuttle operations, a model that could inform similar high-frequency, fixed-route electrification projects across European transport hubs. The CEF AFIF grant structure signals continued EU support for opportunity charging infrastructure in commercial fleet applications.

ChargeUK analysis of UK Government data shows 93 per cent of rapid chargers rated 50kW or above installed between April 2024 and April 2026 were outside London, with the East of England recording a 95 per cent increase (1,029 chargers added), followed by the North West at 83 per cent (962 chargers) and North East at 74 per cent (312 chargers). London saw a 48.4 per cent rise with 554 new chargers. The charging industry association published the figures amid renewed debate over the ZEV mandate, citing a commissioned report that projects a stable mandate could deliver £15.5 billion in economic value from the charging sector by 2035.

Why it matters: The data signals a geographic shift in procurement and site selection, with charge point operators and infrastructure investors prioritising regional hubs over the capital to meet anticipated demand. For those tendering or planning networks, the East and North West emerge as high growth corridors, while the £15.5 billion forecast underscores the commercial case for long term ZEV policy certainty.

A report by LCP Delta, commissioned by ChargeUK, projects the UK EV charging industry will contribute £15.5 billion in direct economic value by 2035, rising from a largely pre-profit position today to £2.5 billion in annual value. The analysis links this growth to supportive legislation and notes the sector underpins a wider £385 billion transport electrification opportunity, with the UK now operating over 120,000 public chargers supporting two million EVs.

Why it matters: The £15.5 billion forecast signals sustained procurement and infrastructure investment over the next decade, provided policy remains predictable. For CPOs and contractors, the shift from pre-profit to £2.5 billion annual value underscores the maturing commercial case for network expansion and long term project pipelines.

A study by LCP Delta, commissioned by ChargeUK, estimates that EV charging will contribute over £15bn directly to the UK economy by 2035 and unlock £385bn in broader economic opportunities. The analysis projects charging sector employment will grow from 12,000 existing jobs to 35,700 by 2035, or up to 71,500 when including supply chain roles, separate from 334,000 jobs expected across battery manufacturing, EV production, retail and servicing.

Why it matters: The forecast provides economic justification for sustained public and private investment in charging infrastructure, while the projected threefold to sixfold employment increase signals growing demand for skilled installation, maintenance and network operations capacity that procurement teams and CPOs must plan to secure.

The European Commission has cleared the acquisition of ZeMobility by Aberdeen and DigitalBridge, according to an announcement from the Commission's Luxembourg representation. No financial details or conditions were disclosed in the available information. The clearance allows the transaction to proceed under EU merger control rules.

Why it matters: The approval signals consolidation in the European charging infrastructure sector and may affect procurement opportunities as ZeMobility's ownership structure changes. Charge point operators and public authorities working with ZeMobility should monitor any operational or strategic shifts following the ownership transfer.

Battery electric and fuel cell buses accounted for 60 per cent of new city bus orders across the EU in 2025 (56 per cent battery electric, 4 per cent fuel cell), according to Transport and Environment. At current growth rates, all new city bus sales are expected to be electric by 2028. Operators including Austrian firm Blaguss (12 Yutong coaches), Lithuanian operator UAB Kautra (15 Temsa units, rising to 321 total) and Belgian agency De Lijn (1,000th e-bus commissioned, over 650 ordered in 2025) are deploying fleets from European and Asian manufacturers.

Why it matters: The shift to majority electric bus procurement signals maturing supply chains and falling total cost of ownership, creating depot charging demand at scale. Procurers and charge point operators should prepare for accelerated tender activity as the 2028 forecast approaches and operators phase out diesel orders.

Taylor Wessing reports that the European Commission has granted approval for an industrial electricity pricing mechanism scheduled to take effect in April 2026. The policy applies across the European Union and is expected to influence energy costs for commercial and industrial users, including operators of EV charging infrastructure. No specific tariff figures or subsidy details were disclosed in the announcement.

Why it matters: Charge point operators and fleet depot builders face electricity as their largest operating cost, so any EU wide pricing reform from April 2026 could reshape site economics and tender assumptions. Procurement teams should monitor final tariff structures to update business cases for new installations.

The European Commission has cleared the creation of a joint venture between Energetický a průmyslový holding (EPH) and TotalEnergies. The approval was reported via EU monitoring channels, though specific details about the venture's scope, investment value, or operational focus were not disclosed in the announcement.

Why it matters: Joint ventures between major energy players can reshape charging infrastructure markets through combined capital and operational reach. Commission clearance removes a key regulatory hurdle, allowing the partnership to proceed with potential network deployment or service integration across EU member states.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has launched zero emission electric transit services at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, introducing electric vehicles for passenger and staff movement within the airport. The project was developed in partnership with Possible Electric Mobility and Zeut Energies, and was commissioned by FAAN Board Chairperson Abdullahi Ganduje and Managing Director Olubunmi Kuku on Friday. FAAN said the initiative aligns with its renewable energy goals and efforts to reduce carbon emissions and cut reliance on fossil fuels across its operations.

Why it matters: Airport electrification represents a growing procurement opportunity for EV and charging providers, with FAAN's partnership model offering a template for similar deployments across Nigerian and African aviation hubs. The involvement of Possible Electric Mobility and Zeut Energies signals active private sector engagement in public infrastructure electrification contracts.