The company said the debt raise – alongside the firm’s existing support from Octopus Energy Generation – signals a huge vote of confidence, both domestically and internationally, from investors.

Currently, there are only 5,336 locations in the UK offering rapid and ultra-rapid charging, serving more than one million EVs.

The company is focusing on strategic placement of public chargers to make these figures work in favour of areas that currently lack the appropriate EV charging solutions.

It is focused on cementing its presence in Manchester and the North West, where it has already installed more than 600 charge points.

Asif Ghafoor, Be.EV CEO said, “The financing from NatWest and KfW IPEX-Bank serves as a huge vote of confidence in our mission to provide reliable ultra-rapid charging to communities that have been left behind by the transition to electric vehicles.

“This sizeable commitment from NatWest and KfW and the continued support from Octopus Energy Generation paves the way for future investments in the industry, which ultimately benefits the EV driving community and helps the Government’s Zero-emission-vehicles by 2035 mandate.

“It proves that investors, both domestic and international, are confident in the UK’s transition to EVs and its importance in transitioning to a net zero economy.

 “This deal was completed very quickly, which wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work of our partners and advisers, who I am grateful to for their endless support in getting this landmark deal over the line.”

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Currently the electrical infrastructure in the South West is sparse, with Cornwall Council estimating that there are about 450 EV charging points in the county.

The partnership is set to boost the number of charging points by about 60%, installing rapid and ultra-rapid units across the region.

St Austell Brewery has more than160 pubs in its estate and a leading wholesale business across the region.

Committed to achieving net zero emissions across its operations by 2040, the company has already upgraded its company car fleet and installed EV chargers for employees driving hybrid or electric vehicles across all its head offices.

Paul Hine, Supply Chain Director, St Austell Brewery said, “We have a proud history of innovation so working with ScottishPower to install electric car chargers was a great way to prepare our pubs for an electric future. For us, going greener makes good business sense.

“We know that investing in this green tech will help us reduce our carbon footprint and thanks to ScottishPower we have been able to do this at scale.”

Andrew Mouat, Head of Smart Mobility at ScottishPower, said: “At ScottishPower, we want to help businesses integrate green tech into their operations to allow their customers to live a more sustainable lifestyle while creating a new revenue stream.

“We help business leaders find the best chargers for their carparks, manage and cover the cost of installation, and service the units for the term of the contract.”

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With the new investment provided by Zouk Capital, char.gy aims to grow its network from more than 3,000 chargepoints today to 100,000 by 2030, supporting the transition for up to one million drivers.

Since its inception, char.gy has partnered with UK councils, facilitating the installation of public charge points through the CIIF, a £420m public-private fund established by the UK Government in 2019.

The fund, managed by Zouk Capital, aims to accelerate the deployment of EV charging infrastructure across the UK.

Char.gy’s initial £6.4m investment in 2021, followed by a second round in 2022 bringing the total to £65m, has now culminated in this third round, bringing the total investment to £100m.

Capable of deploying more than 500 charge points per month, the company is accelerating its rollout to help meet the estimated requirement of 300,000 public chargers needed in the UK by 2030.

John Lewis, char.gy CEO, said, “We are delighted that with Zouk’s continued support, we will continue to expand our on-street charging network, making EV ownership viable for more individuals reliant on public charging, supporting their transition to sustainable transport.

“The latest funding will help us accelerate our ambitious growth plans and will be directed towards the rollout of more charge points across the next five years.”

George Ridd, Partner Zouk Capital, said, “Zouk’s increased commitment to char.gy comes at a pivotal time as the EV charging market experiences exponential growth.

“Collaborating with dedicated partners like char.gy allows local authorities to provide accessible, reliable charging infrastructure to their residents now and into the future.”

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The charge point operator has completed the purchase of a freehold near the Phoenix Retail Park in Paisley, and planning permission has been granted to install the 300kW public charge points.

It will be situated just off the A737, a short drive from the M8 motorway, and close to a Showcase Cinema and McDonald’s restaurant.

This is the second time Osprey Charging has completed the purchase of a freehold site, following the Salmon’s Leap hub in Devon, which opened last year.

Osprey expects to announce further site acquisitions throughout the summer.

Its network of public EV chargers continues to grow rapidly, and now encompasses more than 1,000 rapid and ultra-rapid chargers in key urban and rural locations across the UK.

Ian Johnston, CEO of Osprey Charging, said, “The purchase of freehold sites is an important strategy for Osprey, as it enables us to build larger public charging locations with greater flexibility over their design.

“This hub will be crucial in supporting the uptake of EVs in Scotland as well as in meeting growing demand for reliable, accessible and high-quality EV charging across the UK.

“In 2024, we have successfully delivered nine high-powered hubs across various UK locations, and the new Paisley hub opposite the Phoenix Retail Park will be another significant milestone in our rapidly expanding network.

“As the year progresses, our goal is to complete 30 hubs, which will be a monumental stride not only in the advancement of our network but also in fortifying the broader public EV charging infrastructure.”

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Under the scheme, all Smart Charge customers with active Nectar accounts will be able to charge their EV and collect points, collecting one Nectar point for every pound spent.

Nectar is the UK’s largest multi partner loyalty scheme offering users the ability to spend points at brands including Sainsbury’s, Argos and British Airways.

Smart Charge is an ultra-rapid EV charging network with more than 400 charging bays and counting.

The news coincides with the launch of the retailer’s 50th Smart Charge EV charging location, with 12 new bays now available at the Sainsbury’s London Enfield Superstore, just off the A10.

Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s Director of Property, Procurement & EV Ventures, said, “Rolling out across June, customers using any of our 400 Smart Charge bays across the country will now be able to benefit from collecting Nectar points to spend on their favourite brands.

“With bays in more locations than ever before, and Sainsbury’s stores conveniently placed far and wide, it has never been easier for EV drivers across the UK to access ultra-rapid facilities, and now they can reap the benefit of Nectar points too.

“Not to forget the added advantage of popping into a Sainsbury’s store to pick up some groceries while waiting for their vehicle charge to complete.

“Our Enfield store is a fantastic location, in a popular residential area of North London and near main roads, making it an ideal spot for our 50th location.”

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Located on the A303, the new charging hub has ten charging bays served by five charging medium power units – up to 180kW.

To make it as easy as possible for customers to charge their EVs, the hub has both CCS and CHAdeMOconnectors, accepts contactless payment and provides real-time status updates to various EV charging maps.

Teals is a farm-shop in Somerset near Wincanton which includes a food-market, and there is an on-site restaurant serving breakfast and lunch every day.

Gridserve’s Electric Highway now has 190 locations with more than 1,400 charging bays, including 100 charging bays so far this year.

Rebecca Trebble, Chief Customer Experience Officer at Gridserve, said, “We’re delighted to welcome Teals onto the Gridserve Electric Highway as our latest Electric Retail Hub with electric car drivers able to charge while visiting the farm shop.

“It’s the perfect location to supplement our existing electric vehicle charging on the busy A303 for those travelling to the South West.”

Ash Sinfield, Founder of Teals, said: “We are excited to now have ten Gridserve charging bays onsite for our guests to charge their vehicles while they are with us.

“At Teals, we can offer a different sort of charging experience, weather it involves taking your dog and kids for a leg stretch around the dog jog or sampling a meal in our restaurant, you can expect to spend your time doing something joyful while you are with us.”

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The charge points, which are compatible with every EV on the market today and typically add 100 miles of range in about 35 minutes, will help customers charge up whilst visiting the shops, cafes and eateries in central Warminster.

These chargers accept contactless bank cards, Apple/Google Pay, the Osprey App and RFID card payments, as well as payments through all major third-party payment methods including fleet cards.

Osprey has covered all costs associated with installing and servicing the rapid charging points while sharing the profits, minimising financial risk.

Real Estate Investment Trust NewRiver own and manage of a portfolio of community shopping centres and retail parks across the UK

This announcement is Osprey’s latest partnership in the retail property sector, where the charging business has a five-year track record of installing more than 200 rapid charge points for portfolio owners including Ediston, London & Scottish Investments, M7 Real Estate and Brookhouse Group.

Andrew Nosworthy, Commercial Director at Osprey Charging said, “We’re delighted to be working with NewRiver to help future-proof their retail destinations by providing reliable, rapid EV charging for their retailers’ customers.

“This first charging site in Warminster is part of the re-charging network that will enable the decarbonisation of transport in the UK, and NewRiver’s forward-thinking strategy will ensure they stay ahead of the curve by equipping their retail locations to meet growing EV charging demand.”

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The Papilio3 design combines local mains power with solar and is built around a recycled shipping container that can be installed in under eight hours.

It can fast charge 12 EVs at seven, 11 or 22kW simultaneously, ideal for a range of destinations with two to five-hour dwell times, removing the reliance on carbon-intense and costly ultra-rapid charge points.

Pre-fitted with a range of safety features, including motion lighting, CCTV and full accessibility for wheelchair users, Surrey County Council has agreed a three-year hire for Papilio3.

The council will use the facility to charge its growing EV fleet.

Paul Wheadon, Strategic Contract Group Manager for the Council’s Highways and Transport Department said, “With charging capacity up to 22kW, multiple operational vehicles – when not in use – can be charged throughout the day, ensuring vehicles remain operational without the need for long dwell times on low-powered charging options.

“As well as the benefit of generating solar power to charge our fleet, the nature of the structure means we have the flexibility to conveniently relocate the unit elsewhere on the site in the future if needed, unlike with other charging solutions.”

Ben Marchant, CEO at 3ti, said: “The installation of Papilio3 at the council depot centre is enabling the council to expand its electric fleet and deliver on its commitments to securing a greener future by decarbonising the transport sector.”

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Following more than seven years of development and a two-and a half-year trial, 18 new Mk5 UEone chargers have been installed by Urban Fox across nine locations in Dundee, on behalf of Dundee City Council.

The 7kW on-street charge point rises from the ground to an accessible height, and when not in use, auto-retracts flat and flush underground, leaving pavements clutter free and more accessible to pedestrians, when compared to other available EV charge points.

By downloading the Urban Fox App, members of the public can summon the UEone from the ground, power their EV and track their usage.

Oli Freeling-Wilkinson, CEO of Urban Fox, said, “After more than seven years of intensive development and testing, we are immensely proud to unveil Europe’s only flat and flush charging solution that complies with the highest accessibility standards.

“At Urban Fox we are passionate about addressing the pressing need for near-home EV charging infrastructure across the UK, to ensure that no one is left behind on the road to net zero.”

Dundee City Council Fair Work, Economic Growth & Infrastructure Convener, Councillor Steven Rome, said, ”I am pleased to see Dundee City Council invest in low-emission transport, further proving that we are continuously making progress towards achieving our net-zero targets.

“Dundee City Council believes that it is important to deploy charge points that are as accessible as possible to deliver equitable access to EV charging solutions, and this innovation helps cater to the needs of our communities.’’

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As the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) continues to grow, it’s even more vital that sufficient charging options are available at home, in workplaces, and on the road. All in a bid to ease the transition to EVs and encourage more drivers to make the switch writes Naomi Nye, Head of Sales at Drax Electric Vehicles

Amidst the excitement surrounding new charging innovations, the question remains: are options like wireless charging viable in the UK’s future?

My view leans towards cautious optimism. Exploring and delving into the potential of EV charging is an exciting journey, with various models promising to transform how we power our vehicles. While challenges such as efficiency, standardisation, and infrastructure installation remain, recent developments suggest that the future of EV charging is revolutionary, but it’s not a quick turnaround.

How far are we in the EV charging journey?

We now have over 55,000 charging points across 31,445 locations in the UK, another significant increase of 46% year-on-year. But for the nation to sustain the phase-out of internal combustion engines by 2035, we need nearly 200,000 more charging points at the very least—a staggering 363% increase from where we are now.

That’s not to say we can’t get there. Businesses, industries, and manufacturers are tirelessly working to develop and roll out new charging points nationwide. Both public and privately-owned charge points are being installed every day. However, the most exciting developments will be the improvements in charging technology.

Urban charging for the masses

Central London, Manchester, and Birmingham are all urban hubs for businesspeople, drivers, tourists, and households alike. Take London as an example: roughly 70% of people do not have their own parking space –an unsurprising figure. However, the development of urban charging has been a great one to watch.

Paving the way for convenient on-street charging in built-up public areas has been a priority for many EV charging providers, and there’s been a significant rise since the first lamppost charger installation years ago. Last year, data showed that at least 60% of on-street chargers were lamppost devices. By integrating charging capabilities into existing infrastructure, cities can enhance the accessibility of electric mobility.

Wireless charging is everywhere: could EVs be next?

The future of EV charging will need to be fast and convenient. Wireless charging for electric vehicles is a promising advancement in this space, offering a multitude of benefits, but it has its challenges. Wireless charging will simplify the charging process by eliminating the need for physical connectors, providing EV owners with a seamless and convenient experience. This technology enables integration into a range of environments, like home garages, public parking lots, and even dynamic charging lanes on roads. Wireless charging can also reduce wear and tear on traditional plug-in connectors, improving long-term reliability and reducing maintenance costs.

Researchers have been working on this technology for a while, and significant developments have been made. For example, Oak Ridge National Laboratory has recently set a new power record for wireless charging, recharging an EV to 100 kW with 96% efficiency.

However, challenges lie ahead in this journey. There’s still lower charging efficiency compared to wired charging, higher upfront installation costs and standardisation issues that must be addressed. Optimising charging speeds and compatibility with different vehicle models also remain areas for ongoing research and development. Despite these barriers, continued progression in wireless charging technology holds promise for enhancing the accessibility of charging infrastructure in the future.

Giving back to the energy ecosystem

We’re in a transformative era where electric vehicles are now integrating into our energy network. Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) charging, the two-way flow of energy from the grid to vehicles and vice versa, is a prime example of this integration.

Alongside broader electrification, we know that EVs will create extra demand for power. This rise in demand is likely to affect the price of electricity, but price volatility creates an opportunity for businesses to profit through optimising bi-directional V2G charging. Most cars, including fleets, tend to be unused for over twelve hours a day. V2G technology means that fleets can charge when energy prices are low, either overnight or when there’s a surplus of renewable energy available on the network.

In one of National Grid’s Future Energy Scenarios, V2G charging could provide up to 38GW of flexible power from 5.5 million EVs. That extra electricity would cover all the extra peak power the UK needs in the highest-demand scenario for 2050. However, while bidirectional charge points are currently available, they’re not yet viable at a sufficient scale or an appropriate price. In the near future, V2G technology will become more affordable, and organisations with EV fleets will be in a key position to benefit.

We’re helping organisations across the UK transition from internal combustion engine vehicles to EVs and develop a reliable, future-proofed electrification strategy. By trialling technologies like V2G, we’re beginning to understand how they can work in tandem and the future of commercial energy. Everything we learn will help us support businesses – now and in the future.

The future of EV charging is budding with innovation and promise. Urban charging, smart grid integration, and wireless options are key pillars in shaping sustainable and efficient infrastructure for future generations. By embracing these technologies and addressing the associated challenges, we can accelerate the transition towards a greener, electric future.

It’s time to charge ahead into a new era of mobility, and we’re looking forward to it.

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These newly added electric vehicle charging stations are located at two key sites in the Essex town: Chatham Way Car Park and King George’s Playing Fields.

The council has introduced 22 additional chargers, Chatham Way Car Park now features eight chargers, including four fast charging and four rapid charging points.

King George’s Playing Fields has been equipped with 14 chargers, including four fast charge points in the car park adjacent to the entrance from Ingrave Road, six rapid charging points, and four fast charging points in the central car park.

The scheme is part of the council’s climate change pledge and is designed to support residents and visitors and encourage greater take up of electric powered vehicles, as the government’s ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in 2035 gets closer.

Councillor Barry Aspinell, Chair of the Clean and Green Committee said, “Recognising the role of expanding Brentwood’s EV charging network in our journey towards achieving net zero, the Council is pleased to introduce these public charging points, aiming to provide support for our residents.

“Our commitment is for further EV charging points to be installed in other Brentwood car parks, including Ingatestone.

“This initiative not only plays a significant role in diminishing the area’s carbon footprint but also enhances air quality, particularly in our town centres.”

Guy Bartlett, Believ CEO, said, “The Believ team is very proud to support Brentwood in creating and implementing a well-thought-out strategy that delivers a mixture of charging speeds, according to the specific location’s needs.”

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This follows on from the expiration of the council’s existing Go Ultra Low City Scheme (GULCS) contracts with Siemens.

The move, part of the Council’s Electric Vehicle Charging Point Action Plan, provides Ubitricity – a wholly owned subsidiary of Shell – with a 12-month contract to align the Borough’s EV charging infrastructure ahead of a new operation and maintenance tender later in 2024.

The first round of GULCS contracts were awarded in 2018, with 92 charge points deployed across Camden by Ubitricity and its partner, Siemens.

As the first round of GULCS contracts are coming to an end, this means that contracts for the ongoing operation and maintenance of the existing charge points will come to market, and Camden has selected Ubitricity to oversee the ongoing operation and maintenance of its charge point infrastructure.

Toby Butler, UK Managing Director at Ubitricity said, “Since 2018 we have overseen the delivery and operation of Camden’s network of EV charge points under the GULCS scheme, and are thrilled to be able to provide a continuity of service to the Borough and its EV users ahead of the new tender.

“With our unrivalled experience delivering on the key requirements of existing GULCS contracts, and an established team running the UK’s largest EV charge point network, Ubitricity can provide Camden with a seamless transition to ensure that their network will continue to operate as normal.”

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The company is providing 56 EV charging bays at the Time Square multi-storey car park, part of the site which provides a shopping, restaurant and leisure experience, and is the modern contemporary home for Warrington’s market.

Most of the charging bays are 7kW for visitors to top-up, and there are four rapid bays for those needing a faster recharge.

They include dedicated accessible and car club bays on the ground floor.

The first 25 charging bays are open now, with the rest opening in phases during June.

Earlier this month Zest also opened an EV micro-hub at Apex Coffee House in Ely’s Lancaster Way Business Park.

The company has provided two fast-charging bays for visitors to the café to top up and two rapid bays for those needing a fast recharge.

Owned and operated by Grovemere Property, Lancaster Way is home to more than 85 diverse businesses in a range of industrial and commercial properties.

The Apex Coffee House serves the business park and is convenient for drivers along the nearby A10 to Cambridge.

Robin Heap, CEO and Founder of Zest, said, “People want to switch to EV but they need to see abundant and reliable charging infrastructure being rolled out.

‍”Working in partnership with forward-looking local authorities like Warrington, we’re building at a scale that inspires confidence in the EV transition and makes a tangible contribution to net zero.”

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Enhancing convenience for drivers, GoPlugable is Ireland’s platform for locating, reserving and sharing home charging points for EV drivers.

The agreement means that owners of Ohme chargers in Ireland can become a GoPlugable host and earn money by sharing their home EV charger when it is not in use.

Ohme’s range of smart chargers can connect with all of Ireland’s electricity suppliers and automatically adjust an EV’s charging for drivers to utilise off-peak tariffs.

The company is the official EV charger provider for the Volkswagen Group, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo Cars and Polestar in Ireland and has worked with several other partners including Donegal County Council and Iarnród Éireann.

It was also named as Fast Track Company of the Year in the 2023 UK Green Business Awards as well as Best Chargepoint Manufacturer in the 2024 Irish EV awards.

Maebh Reynolds, GoPlugable CEO said, “We are delighted to announce Ohme as our official home charging partner.

“With Ohme the fastest-growing smart EV charging company in Ireland, it’s great for us to be working with them to help with the transition to greater EV adoption in all forms.”

David Watson, Ohme CEO, said, “GoPlugable is a really exciting new company for Ireland, helping to grow EV adoption and make it easier for drivers to make the switch.

“This collaboration will help Ohme customers not only to get paid from renting their charger out to other EV users, but to help play a part in growing the EV public charging network.”

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Operated in partnership with Swarco, the hub includes 10 bays that can provide up to 150kW of power, enabling electric cars to be fully charged in 30 minutes.

New Burger King and Caffe Nero drive-thru restaurants have also opened at the site.

Located on Thremhall Avenue, the main road into and out of the airport, the facility will benefit a variety of customers that pass through the area including airport passengers, employees, businesses, commuters and the local community.

Stansted Airport has sourced all its electricity from renewable sources since April 2013, and airport operations under its direct control have been independently recognised as carbon neutral since 2018.

The airport aims to reach net zero carbon operations by 2038 and will soon begin building an on-site solar farm to meet its current and increasing electricity demands.

It has also recently partnered with National Express in their trial of an electric coach operating passenger services between the airport and London.

Gareth Powell, London Stansted’s Managing Director, said, “We are fully committed to the sustainable and responsible growth of London Stansted, which is why we’re delighted to open this brand-new EV charging hub.

“This new facility is ideally located so that passengers, commuters, staff, local residents, and businesses passing through can grab a bite to eat and a cup of coffee while recharging their vehicles.”

Lara Navetta, Sales Director at Swarco, said, “This milestone is a testament to our long-standing partnership and commitment to sustainable travel.

“We’re proud to have played a role in this significant step towards a greener future.”

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