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Freedom of Information requests by Vauxhall show 49 of 194 responding councils now offer accessible charging, double the previous year, yet 75% of local authorities provide no chargers adapted for disabled drivers or meeting recognised accessibility standards. Geographic disparities are stark: London has 2,131 accessible on street chargers while the Northwest has 43 and Scotland 14. On street chargers in disabled bays rose over 50% since 2024, with roughly 15% of on street chargers adapted for disabled drivers and 14% meeting PAS 1899:2022 guidance.

Why it matters: Procurement teams and CPOs face mounting pressure to embed accessibility from design stage rather than retrofit, as regulatory and reputational risks grow with EV adoption. The data exposes a postcode lottery that could shape future grant conditions and tender scoring for public charging contracts.

Jeep has introduced the Compass 4xe, a fully electric flagship model built on Stellantis's STLA Medium platform shared with the Peugeot 3008, Citroën C5 Aircross and Vauxhall Grandland. The third generation Compass range, which debuted earlier this year, now includes mild hybrid petrol, Standard Range electric, plug in hybrid and Long Range EV variants. The launch forms part of Jeep's plan to treble its European line up by 2030, including new B segment and D segment SUVs.

Why it matters: Fleet operators and charging infrastructure planners should note the expansion of Stellantis's multi brand EV strategy using shared platform architecture, which will drive demand for workplace and public charging across multiple vehicle segments. The addition of plug in hybrid and long range electric variants signals growing corporate fleet electrification opportunities in the compact SUV sector.

Vauxhall will introduce a new electric SUV to compete with the Skoda Elroq, co-developed and manufactured by Chinese EV maker Leapmotor. The model will be part of the Stellantis and Leapmotor joint venture, bringing additional electric vehicle options to the UK market. No specific launch date or production volumes were disclosed in the announcement.

Why it matters: The partnership signals Stellantis leveraging Leapmotor's manufacturing capabilities to expand its UK electric SUV lineup, potentially creating new charging infrastructure demand as the model rolls out. Procurement teams should monitor this launch for fleet adoption trends that may drive site development requirements.

Vauxhall has joined Kerbo Charge's Electric Streets of Britain campaign, which aims to expand residential on-street charging infrastructure. The partnership comes as more than 40% of UK local authorities have committed to providing cross-pavement charging solutions by the end of 2026, addressing a key barrier for EV adoption among residents without off-street parking.

Why it matters: The commitment from over 40% of councils represents significant near-term procurement opportunities for cross-pavement charging hardware and installation services. For CPOs and suppliers, this signals a maturing market for residential on-street solutions that can unlock EV adoption in urban areas where traditional driveway charging is not feasible.

Vauxhall research based on Freedom of Information requests to 134 councils across England, Scotland and Wales reveals that 56 tier one councils either currently offer or will provide cross pavement charging by the end of 2026. Seven councils already have live schemes, 21 are trialling the technology, and 28 plan rollouts in 2026. Installation costs vary widely, from free provision to over £1,000, and the Electric Vehicle Association England highlighted in a January report that residents face unclear application processes and inconsistent information from local authorities.

Why it matters: The fragmented approach to cross pavement charging creates uncertainty for CPOs and installers bidding on residential charging work, with no standard procurement framework or cost structure across councils. Wide variation in fees and approval processes complicates business cases for suppliers seeking to scale home charging solutions in streets without off street parking.

Jeep has launched the third generation Compass SUV with an all-electric option for the first time, targeting the competitive C-segment market. The model, which has sold more than 2.5 million units since its 2006 launch, features a completely new design and interior to compete with rivals including the Ford Explorer, Renault Scenic, Toyota C-HR+, Vauxhall Grandland and Peugeot 3008. The vehicle is designed by the same Turin based team responsible for the Avenger and is positioned as a larger sibling to that model.

Why it matters: The addition of an electric powertrain to a high volume SUV nameplate signals growing OEM commitment to electrification in the competitive C-segment, potentially driving demand for charging infrastructure at dealerships and fleet depots. With over 2.5 million Compass units sold historically, the electric variant could represent significant charging point deployment opportunities as the model transitions to battery power.

Vauxhall has announced price parity for all powertrains in its updated Astra range, with the electric version starting at £29,995, a £5,000 reduction from the previous entry model. The 2026 Astra Electric features a 58.3kWh battery offering up to 281 miles of range, 22 miles more than before, and introduces vehicle to load capability and battery preconditioning. The pricing strategy follows the Frontera launch, which also matched EV and ICE prices, and applies equally to hatchback and estate bodystyles with prices rising to £33,995.

Why it matters: Price parity removes a key barrier to fleet electrification and may accelerate workplace charging demand as employers face simpler total cost of ownership calculations. The sub £30,000 entry point and estate option broaden the addressable market for destination and depot charging operators serving family and business users.

Warranty Services Group reported that the Nissan Leaf achieved a 1.52% claim rate between January and December 2025, less than half the rate of the next best model, making it the UK's most reliable electric car despite some units being up to 16 years old. The Audi E-Tron SUV placed second with a 3.23% claim rate, followed by the Vauxhall Corsa Electric at 4.76%, the Ford Mustang Mach-E, and the Tesla Model 3. Most common faults across EVs related to ADAS systems, suspension, and steering controls rather than electric powertrains, with only one of the five most common warranty claims being EV specific.

Why it matters: The data suggests that early generation EVs, particularly the Nissan Leaf, demonstrate strong long term reliability, which may influence fleet procurement decisions and residual value calculations for charging site operators evaluating vehicle longevity. The low incidence of powertrain related claims supports confidence in EV technology durability for commercial deployments.

Vauxhall is providing a free home EV charger and 0% finance to buyers of new electric vans in the United Kingdom, according to Van Reviewer. The promotion aims to lower upfront costs for fleet operators and tradespeople switching to electric commercial vehicles.

Why it matters: Bundling chargers with vehicle sales can accelerate fleet electrification and signals OEMs competing on total cost of ownership. Procurement teams evaluating van contracts should factor in these incentives when comparing lifecycle costs against standalone charging infrastructure budgets.

Stellantis showcased electric vans from its Ellesmere Port factory at the Manchester Motor Show, where more than 1,000 workers currently produce small and compact electric vans for Vauxhall, Citroën, Peugeot and Fiat. A £50 million investment will enable the all-electric UK plant to manufacture mid-sized electric vans by 2027. Local MP Justin Madders visited the event and met Stellantis UK Group managing director Eurig Druce alongside factory workers.

Why it matters: Expanding van production at Ellesmere Port signals growing commercial EV volumes that will require depot charging infrastructure, particularly for fleet operators adopting Stellantis light commercial vehicles. The 2027 timeline gives charge point operators a clear window to plan depot and en-route charging capacity for mid-sized electric vans entering UK fleets.

The UK government brought back the Electric Car Grant in July 2025, providing point of sale discounts up to £3,750 for new electric vehicles priced at or below £37,000. The full discount applies only to the most sustainable Band 1 models, with most EVs receiving a lower £1,500 discount. The market has seen an influx of affordable EVs from value brands including Citroen, Dacia and Vauxhall, alongside new Chinese entrants, expanding choice for buyers and lessees.

Why it matters: The grant structure creates a two tier incentive that may influence procurement decisions toward Band 1 vehicles, while the expanded affordable EV market from established and Chinese brands increases fleet electrification options for operators working within tighter budgets.