£10 million boost for smarter electric vehicle charging in hard-to-reach areas
The UK government has announced a fresh £10 million investment to help bring cutting-edge electric vehicle (EV) charging technology to some of England’s most challenging locations, a major step toward ensuring that all drivers, wherever they are, can charge with confidence.
The initiative, unveiled by the Department for Transport and the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV), aims to make it easier and faster to install charge points in rural and grid-constrained areas. Applications for funding are now open, with private operators invited to submit project proposals before 25 March 2026.
Charging up the countryside
While electric vehicle (EV) charging networks have grown rapidly, now boasting over 86,000 charge points across the UK, a 23% year-on-year rise; the rollout hasn’t been even. Many parts of the motorway network and rural England face challenges connecting to the power grid, slowing down the installation of new chargers.
This funding will support innovative, off-grid and low-grid-demand solutions, such as renewable energy systems combined with battery storage. The goal? To accelerate deployment of ultra-rapid chargers capable of adding up to 145 miles of range in just 15 minutes, even in areas where traditional grid upgrades would be too slow or expensive.
Building a network that works for everyone
Eligible projects must be able to serve at least 12 EVs at once, targeting key transport routes and remote regions where drivers and businesses alike need reliable access to power. The government says this competition builds on existing efforts, including the £650 million Electric Car Grant scheme, which has already supported more than 25,000 new EV drivers with discounts of up to £3,750.
Further plans are also in motion to make home charging easier, particularly for renters and residents without driveways, as part of a wider consultation to remove barriers to electric car ownership.
Good news for drivers and businesses
For everyday drivers, this investment means less range anxiety and more confidence to travel anywhere in the UK. For businesses and fleet operators, it signals a more dependable future for electric mobility, especially for companies with vehicles covering long distances or operating in rural regions.
As electric car and van leasing specialists, we know charging convenience is key to every driver’s experience. Expanding the network into harder-to-reach areas is another positive step toward a cleaner, fairer and fully connected electric future for everyone on the road.
