Search: The Guardian

The Guardian Nigeria highlights that affordability remains a key barrier to EV adoption in the country, with upfront vehicle costs deterring potential buyers despite growing interest in cleaner transport. The article examines how price sensitivity in the Nigerian market limits the pace of electrification, even as policy discussions around EVs continue.

Why it matters: For charging operators and infrastructure investors, slow vehicle uptake driven by affordability concerns signals a need to align rollout timelines with realistic demand curves. Understanding price barriers helps CPOs and funders calibrate deployment strategies and partnership models in emerging markets.

Pi-CNG has begun a nationwide push to deploy EV charging infrastructure across Nigeria, following one year of expansion activity. The Guardian Nigeria reports the move as part of the company's broader strategy to scale charging access. No specific site numbers or investment figures were disclosed in the available excerpt.

Why it matters: A domestic operator entering the Nigerian EV charging market signals growing commercial confidence in West African electrification demand, opening potential procurement opportunities for equipment suppliers and installation contractors targeting the region.

The Guardian reports that the UK is poised to water down its 2030 electric vehicle sales targets in response to pressure from automotive manufacturers and trade unions. The move would represent a significant shift in the government's zero emission vehicle mandate, which currently requires a rising proportion of new car sales to be electric. Details of the proposed changes have not yet been confirmed, though the report indicates the government is responding to concerns from industry stakeholders about the pace of the transition.

Why it matters: Any relaxation of the 2030 EV mandate could slow the rollout of public charging infrastructure if manufacturers reduce electric model launches or pricing incentives. Charge point operators and contractors planning network expansions based on current ZEV trajectory may need to revise demand forecasts and investment timelines.

British vehicles will emit an additional 17 million tonnes of CO2 by 2030 following changes to the zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate, according to analysis seen by the Guardian. Labour weakened the rules in 2024 by adding loopholes that allow carmakers to sell more petrol engine vehicles, prompting a 48 per cent rise in plug in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) sales this year. The changes are forecast to result in an extra 59 billion miles driven using petrol and diesel engines in cars and vans compared to pre amendment forecasts, while environmental groups and the charging industry urge the government to resist further dilution of the mandate originally introduced by the Conservatives in 2023.

Why it matters: The weakening of the ZEV mandate directly undermines the business case for charging infrastructure investment by slowing the transition to battery electric vehicles and increasing reliance on PHEVs with lower charging demand. Procurement teams and charge point operators face greater uncertainty over utilisation forecasts and revenue projections if policy continues to shift in favour of hybrid vehicles over pure electric models.

The UK Treasury has rejected a plan by ministers to reduce VAT on public electric vehicle charging from 20% to 5%, according to The Guardian. The proposal aimed to align public charging costs with the 5% VAT rate already applied to domestic electricity, including home EV charging. The decision maintains the current pricing disparity between home and public charging infrastructure.

Why it matters: The VAT gap makes public charging significantly more expensive than home charging, potentially deterring EV adoption among drivers without off street parking and affecting utilisation rates at public charge points. Charge point operators and local authorities planning public networks must continue pricing strategies around the 20% VAT burden, which impacts business cases for new installations.

LOTUS Bank has announced support for the Nigerian Federal Government's compressed natural gas and electric vehicle mobility initiative. The Guardian Nigeria reported the bank's backing, though specific financial commitments or programme details were not disclosed in the available excerpt. The move aligns with broader efforts to promote alternative fuel vehicles in Nigeria.

Why it matters: Financial sector engagement signals growing institutional confidence in Nigeria's EV and alternative fuel infrastructure plans, potentially unlocking capital for charging networks and fleet conversions. Bank involvement may ease financing barriers for operators seeking to deploy charging equipment or transition commercial fleets.

The Guardian reports on a regulatory shake up in the United Kingdom designed to improve access to EV charging for motorists who lack off street parking. The changes target the significant proportion of UK households that rely on on street or public charging infrastructure.

Why it matters: For charge point operators and contractors, policy moves to serve the 'no driveway' segment signal growing public sector commitment to on street and residential charging rollouts, potentially unlocking new procurement pipelines and funding streams.

The Guardian has published an analysis examining how electric vehicle batteries could contribute to the UK's energy security and fuel reserve strategy. The piece discusses vehicle to grid technology and the potential for parked EVs to act as distributed storage during supply disruptions. It appears in the context of broader UK energy policy debates around resilience and decarbonisation.

Why it matters: For charge point operators and fleet managers, any policy shift recognising EVs as grid assets could unlock new revenue streams through vehicle to grid services and influence future infrastructure investment priorities.

A Fraunhofer Institute analysis of roughly one million plug-in hybrid vehicles produced between 2021 and 2023 found real-world fuel consumption averaged six litres per 100 km, compared to official EU certification figures of one to two litres per 100 km. The study, reported by The Guardian on 23 February 2026, used wireless data transmitted by PHEVs from several manufacturers but did not examine how often owners actually plug in their vehicles.

Why it matters: The threefold gap between certified and actual fuel use raises questions about the emissions and cost assumptions underpinning PHEV fleet procurement and charging infrastructure planning. Operators relying on official efficiency figures may face higher fuel bills and carbon footprints than anticipated.

Guardian Smart Infrastructure Management and Keoma Hubs will build and operate a new electric truck charging facility at Magna Park in Lutterworth, with operations starting in September 2026. Phase 1 will install 32 MCS-ready chargers delivering up to 400 kW per point across 179 HGV bays designed for articulated vehicles, with TAPA 2 security certification. The site will use Bosch Road Services booking systems and automated hospitality from BK World, serving the 13 million square foot logistics park managed by Marq Logistics.

Why it matters: The project signals a major private-sector commitment to HGV charging infrastructure at a strategic UK logistics hub, with a clear delivery timeline and named technology partners. Procurement teams and CPOs can track this as a reference for MCS-ready depot charging at scale, including security standards and integrated digital operations.

The Guardian reports that the pace of public electric vehicle charger installations in the UK has slowed, with growing worries about the broader switch to electric vehicles. The slowdown raises questions about whether infrastructure deployment can keep up with government targets.

Why it matters: A deceleration in chargepoint rollout could affect procurement pipelines and investor confidence, while potentially prompting policy interventions to restore momentum for CPOs and contractors bidding on public network contracts.