Author: Ryan Hayes

Council-owned operator Reading Buses has secured £3 million in government funding to expand its electric bus fleet, bringing the total number of battery-electric double-decker buses in operation in Reading to 49. The grant comes from the UK Department for Transport through the Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) 2 initiative. The funding will support the introduction of 17 new electric buses on the emerald 5 and emerald 6 routes, which serve the southern part of the borough. Officials have not yet disclosed the bus manufacturer or specific models that will be purchased. Local authorities said the vehicles will be “high-spec…

UK bus operator Pulhams Coaches, a subsidiary of Go-Ahead Group, is introducing 15 new electric buses into service across its network in the Cotswolds as part of a wider fleet electrification programme. The company unveiled the vehicles at its Golden Valley depot in Staverton, following upgrades to charging infrastructure and depot facilities. The new fleet includes seven double-decker buses and eight single-decker buses built by Wrightbus at its manufacturing plant in Ballymena. The double-deck vehicles are Wrightbus Electroliners equipped with 442 kWh battery packs. The single-decker models are Wrightbus GB Kite buses, including four 11.6-metre variants with 528 kWh batteries…

Stellantis will invest £50 million ($63 million) in its Ellesmere Port facility in the United Kingdom to install a new assembly line for electric vans, while warning the government that regulatory penalties under the country’s zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate could threaten the plant’s profitability. According to a report by The Times, the investment will support production of battery-electric versions of the Opel and Vauxhall Vivaro vans and related models starting next year. The new funding doubles the originally planned investment in the facility. The expansion follows Stellantis’ decision to close its Luton plant, shifting production of medium-sized electric vans to…

Battery-electric vehicle registrations in the United Kingdom increased in February, but their market share declined compared with a year earlier and remains below the level required under the country’s upcoming zero-emission vehicle mandate. According to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), 21,840 battery-electric cars were registered in February, up 2.8% from the same month last year. BEVs accounted for 24.2% of the 90,100 new cars registered during the month. See also: Study Finds Nearly One-Third of UK EV Chargers Show Energy Measurement Errors Despite the increase in sales volumes, the share of battery-electric vehicles declined year-on-year.…

A study in the United Kingdom has found that a significant number of public electric vehicle charging stations may not accurately measure the electricity delivered to vehicles, raising questions about billing transparency for drivers. Independent inspection provider EVCI Global said 31.5% of the public chargers it reviewed either overestimated or underestimated the amount of energy transferred during charging sessions. In about 15% of the cases, measurement errors exceeded five percent, while a small number showed what the company described as materially larger deviations. The findings, first reported by The Telegraph, highlight differences between the regulatory standards governing EV charging equipment…

Authorities in Wales have launched a pilot project comparing hydrogen-powered and battery-electric refuse collection vehicles, as part of efforts to identify effective zero-emission solutions for municipal fleets. The demonstration is taking place in South East Wales and aims to collect real-world data on energy use, driving range and operational performance. The findings are expected to help inform future decisions on the deployment of low-emission heavy-duty vehicles for public services. The project has received more than £420,000 in funding from the Welsh Government through its Climate Innovation and Circular Economy programmes. It is being coordinated by Cardiff Capital Region (CCR), a…

Southern Vectis has introduced 31 battery-electric double-decker buses into service on the Isle of Wight, marking a significant step in the operator’s transition toward zero-emission public transport. The new buses were built by Wrightbus and were partly funded through the UK government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas programme, known as ZEBRA-2 Scheme. The project represents a £10.7 million investment by Southern Vectis, with additional financial support from Isle of Wight Council, which contributed £733,000. “I am delighted that Southern Vectis is now at the forefront of the nation’s sustainable transport. Buses are the perfect solution to improving air quality, and…

The UK government has announced an additional £4 million in funding to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure across National Health Service facilities in England, bringing total investment under the programme to £22 million. The funding, provided by the Department for Transport, forms part of the NHS Chargepoint Accelerator Scheme and is intended to support the installation of hundreds of additional EV charging sockets at NHS sites. The initiative aims to accelerate the electrification of the National Health Service fleet, which includes approximately 20,000 vehicles and is considered the second-largest public sector fleet in the United Kingdom. With the latest allocation,…

Arnold Clark has opened the 60th location under its Arnold Clark Charge brand, marking a milestone in the dealership group’s plan to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the United Kingdom. The new charging hub is located at the company’s Wolverhampton Motorstore at the Pantheon Park development and is open to the public. The site features ultra-rapid chargers with power outputs of up to 150 kW and is priced at 55 pence per kWh. See also: Arnold Clark Charge Claims Scotland’s Largest Ultra-Rapid EV Charging Network Arnold Clark Charge operates charging hubs primarily at Arnold Clark dealership sites nationwide. The…

BYD’s UK division has announced pricing and updated specifications for the 2026 Seal electric sedan, introducing a range of design and technology changes while maintaining its existing price structure. The company said prices for the updated model will start at £45,730 for the Design variant, with the range-topping Excellence trim priced at £48,730. The vehicle is now available to order through local retailers across the United Kingdom. BYD UK said the latest version of the Seal includes “a series of changes to enhance its appeal, including extra technology, greater storage capacity front and rear, plus new paint colours.” The revisions…

The first electric double-decker buses have arrived in Liverpool as part of a programme to introduce around 100 zero-emission vehicles across the city region’s public transport network. Dozens of additional battery-electric buses from British manufacturers Wrightbus and Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) are expected in the coming months. Before entering passenger service, drivers are undergoing training on the new vehicles, according to the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. See also: Liverpool Allocates £26 Million for New Electric Double-Decker Buses as Part of Green Transport Initiative The buses carry a yellow, grey and black “Metro” livery. Initial deliveries appear to be Enviro400EV…

MG’s upcoming electric city car, the MG2, is expected to start at about £20,000 (roughly €23,000), positioning it as the brand’s most affordable electric model when it reaches the market, according to a report citing company officials. AutoExpress, quoting MG UK Head of Product and Planning David Allison, said the vehicle will be unveiled in the second half of 2026 but is not expected to go on sale until 2027. The model will sit below the MG4 in MG’s electric lineup, becoming the entry point to the brand’s battery-electric range. Earlier indications suggested a launch as early as 2025 at…

More than 3,000 on-street electric vehicle charging points are set to be installed across Dorset under a £16.5 million partnership between Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council. The project will be delivered by charging infrastructure company Connected Kerb and funded entirely through the UK Department for Transport’s Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund, which supports similar rollouts nationwide. The new chargers will be installed across local streets and everyday parking spaces throughout the county, aiming to provide convenient access for residents without private driveways. Authorities have not yet disclosed the precise distribution of locations. Local officials said the…

Transport for London (TfL) has awarded TotalEnergies a contract to install up to 43 rapid electric vehicle charging points across the capital, marking the second time the energy company has secured such work from the transport authority. The charging stations will provide power outputs of 100 kW and 200 kW and will be deployed at locations selected for their importance to high-mileage users. According to TfL, the chargers will be positioned near major routes frequently used by taxis, freight vehicles and other essential road traffic, as well as close to high streets and local amenities. Many installations are planned for…

The United Kingdom’s commercial vehicle market showed diverging trends in 2025, with strong growth in zero-emission buses contrasting with a contraction in heavy goods vehicle (HGV) registrations, according to new data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The bus, coach and minibus sector delivered its strongest annual performance since 2008, with 9,259 new vehicles registered—an increase of 10.4% compared with the previous year. Zero-emission models, primarily battery-electric, surged 62.2% to 2,523 units, accounting for 27.3% of all new registrations. This means more than one in four new buses entering service in 2025 produced no tailpipe emissions, reinforcing…

Cardiff-based charge point operator Plug Charging has acquired the UK and Ireland charging network of Wattif EV UK, adding around 350 electric vehicle charge points across both markets, the companies said. The portfolio includes installations at transport hubs, healthcare facilities, holiday parks, retail and hospitality venues, strengthening Plug Charging’s presence in destination and public-sector charging. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Plug Charging said all sites will be integrated into its operational platform, transitioning to its management and support systems. These include round-the-clock driver assistance, remote diagnostics, proactive fault monitoring and access to the company’s mobile app, with…

The first of 71 planned electric vehicle charging points from Believ is now operational in Leeds, marking the start of a broader deployment in partnership with Leeds City Council. The initial site, located at the Woodhouse Lane multi-storey car park in the city centre, offers rapid charging at up to 150 kW. Pricing at the location has been set at 79 pence per kilowatt-hour, according to local reports. The charger is designed for quick top-ups, complementing a wider network that will include slower units for overnight and long-duration parking. See also: UK’s Believ to Install Hundreds of EV Chargers in…

Volvo Cars has launched a Black Edition version of its all-electric Volvo EX30 compact SUV in the United Kingdom, featuring distinctive black exterior detailing and an exclusive interior theme. The model is now available to order with prices starting at £40,060 for the Single Motor Plus variant. The styling package applies high-gloss black finishes to several exterior components, including the 19-inch alloy wheels, front grille strikethrough, badges, rear lettering, roof spoiler, and mirror caps. The vehicle is offered in a single Onyx Black metallic paint option, complemented by tinted rear windows. Inside, the Black Edition features an Indigo colour scheme…

Geely Auto’s UK division has appointed Cord Power Technologies to supply and install home electric vehicle chargers for its customers, the companies said. The partnership includes the provision of Cord’s 7.4 kW Cord Zero unit along with a managed installation service typically completed within two weeks. The Cord Zero charger is available in both tethered and untethered (socketed) versions and supports features such as mobile app control, compatibility with smart energy tariffs, solar charging readiness, and dynamic load balancing. The company said each unit carries a five-year warranty. See also: Geely Launches Galaxy E5 Electric SUV in UK Market, Priced…

Tesla has introduced a new Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive version of the Model Y in the United Kingdom, expanding its lineup with a lower-priced configuration that trades equipment for affordability. The new variant starts at £44,990, making it £4,000 cheaper than the model it replaces and £3,000 more expensive than the entry-level rear-wheel-drive version. Tesla had already rolled out the configuration in other European markets earlier this year before bringing it to the UK. Despite the lower price, the vehicle retains the same battery pack as the previous Long Range RWD model, understood to have a capacity of about 82…