£10 million awarded to futureproof technology for EV charging

The government recently announced that £10 million of funding will be put towards supporting a cutting-edge technology which it says will enable electric vehicle (EV) charging devices to operate without the need for grid connections. This could help encourage adoption of EVs within the logistics industry, where currently uptake is low, but continuing to rise. 

This move is designed to shift reliance away from the grid, which can experience constraints, and facilitate the rollout of chargers across the strategic road network, motorways and A-roads, alongside more rural areas. 

The UK’s EV charging network grew a total of 23% in the last year, delivering over 15,000 chargers to motorists. A new chargepoint is reportedly added to the network every 33 minutes, with noticeable growth in Yorkshire and the Humber, Wales, the West Midlands and East Midlands. 

This funding will be utilised to develop energy storage systems like batteries to avoid the need for expensive grid upgrades at locations that are more challenging to power. Grid-constrained sites that currently experience high costs or long timescales with EV chargepoints would be targeted. 

To qualify for funding, projects must allow a minimum of 12 EVs to access ultra-rapid charging that can deliver around 120-145 miles of range in 15 minutes. 

The £650 million Electric Car Grant is also expected to boost uptake as it has already helped over 25,000 drivers make the switch by offering discounts on certain models. Currently, 40 cars are applicable and two of those offer the full £3,750 discount. 

A £25 million scheme was launched recently to help councils with installing cross-pavement channels for people without driveways who need access to electric chargepoints. 

Lamech Solomon, Head of Decarbonisation at Logistics UK said: “Logistics UK welcomes this investment and the continued momentum in expanding the UK’s charging network. This is an encouraging step towards overcoming one of the biggest barriers to battery electric vehicle (BEV) uptake.  

“However, for the logistics sector, the challenges remain significant. Operators need access to reliable, high-capacity and affordable charging infrastructure in the right locations, which is suitable for large LCVs and HGVs – particularly along freight routes and in depots where grid constraints are most acute. Ensuring access to cheaper, cleaner energy will be essential to make electric fleets commercially viable.  

“To truly accelerate the transition, we need coordinated investment and a clear long-term roadmap that gives businesses the confidence to invest in BEVs.”