£10 million of government funding will assist with new technology to allow electric vehicle (EV) charging devices to operate without large grid connections or even off-grid.
Private operators are invited to apply for a share of the funding which will be used to develop innovative energy sources and technologies enabling existing energy supplies to go further.
Support will help overcome grid constraint challenges and enable more chargers to be rolled out on the strategic road network (England’s motorways and major A-roads), including in more rural areas across the country.
Solutions could include combinations of renewable energy sources such as solar, alongside energy storage systems like batteries, to avoid the need for expensive grid upgrades at ‘harder-to-power’ locations.
The solution will be targeted at hard-to-treat, grid-constrained sites where high costs or long timescales would otherwise delay chargepoint provision.
To be considered for funding, projects must enable at least 12 EVs to access ultra-rapid charging, which can deliver around 120 to 145 miles of range in just 15 minutes for a typical EV. Companies have until 25 March 2026 to apply for funding via Innovate UK’s website.
Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation Minister, Keir Mather said:
“We’re powering up the future of driving with £10 million for cutting-edge tech to get more chargepoints on motorways and major A-roads.
“With over 25,000 drivers already switching to electric thanks to our discounts of up to £3,750, we’re backing British innovation, boosting jobs and making EV travel easier than ever.”
Claire Spooner, director of mobility, Innovate UK, said:
“Launching this competition, Innovate UK will test new approaches to the EV charging power challenges on England’s strategic road network, especially in rural areas.
“The programme’s outcomes will build capability and bring together energy and transport stakeholders to improve EV charging for longer journeys.”
Responding to the announcement Vicky Read, chief executive, ChargeUK said:
“Constraints on grid connections are one of the major bottlenecks for the roll out of EV charging infrastructure, and there is already a lot of innovation by charge point operators looking to overcome this challenge.
“This new funding will boost that innovation, helping charge point operators in their aim to provide high quality charging across the strategic road network in a way that is more flexible and beneficial to the grid.”
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