Author: Ryan Hayes

UK finance minister Rachel Reeves is preparing measures to reduce the cost of public electric vehicle charging, amid concerns that a planned mileage-based tax could slow the adoption of electric cars, the Telegraph reported. Under current proposals, electric vehicle drivers would be charged around 3 pence per mile when using public charging stations once the new road pricing system is introduced in 2028. The policy is intended to help replace declining fuel duty revenues as petrol and diesel use falls. See also: UK Registers Nearly Half a Million Electric Cars in 2025 as BEV Share Climbs to 23.4% The government…

BYD UK said it has partnered with QBE Automotive Protection to offer extended warranty and service and maintenance plans for its electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, expanding its aftersales offering as the Chinese automaker continues to grow its presence in the British market. Under the agreement, the protection products are available immediately through BYD’s authorised UK retailer network, which the company expects to expand to more than 125 outlets across the country in 2026. The plans are designed to cover unexpected repair costs as well as routine servicing for BYD’s vehicle range. See also: BYD UK Expands Dealership Network to…

Skywell said it will introduce a comprehensively updated version of its BE11 electric SUV for the 2026 model year, combining a broadened safety feature set and interior upgrades with a sharp reduction in pricing as the brand seeks to strengthen its position in the UK market. The Chinese-owned, UK-based electric vehicle maker said the BE11 will now start at £31,990, a £5,005 cut from the previous entry price of £36,995. Orders are open immediately, with first customer deliveries scheduled for January 2026, Skywell said, following a year of feedback since the model’s launch in the UK. A central element of…

Suzuki has extended its self-funded electric vehicle incentive scheme and low-interest financing offers in the UK through March 2026, as the automaker seeks to sustain demand for electric and hybrid models amid the absence of government purchase subsidies. Under its “Suzuki Granted” initiative, retail customers purchasing the e VITARA will continue to receive a £3,750 price reduction across the entire model range. The incentive mirrors the value of the former UK government Electric Car Grant and keeps the entry-level 49 kWh e VITARA Motion priced at £26,249 through the first quarter of 2026. The EV incentive is combined with a…

Leicester City Council said it is on course to operate 240 electric buses across its public transport network by March 2027, marking a further expansion of its zero-emission fleet backed by government support and private investment from bus operators. The city currently runs 180 electric buses and has ordered an additional 60 vehicles, which are due to enter service from September 2026. The latest phase includes more than £8 million in government funding alongside £18 million from operators Arriva and Centrebus. Leicester City Council said the combined funding brings total investment in the city’s electric bus programme to about £100…

BYD’s UK arm has expanded its retail footprint to 125 franchised dealerships, more than doubling its network over the past year as demand for its new energy vehicles continues to rise. The Chinese automaker ended 2025 with 125 dealership locations nationwide, up from 52 a year earlier. The expansion includes 38 retail partners, 18 of which joined the network during 2025, according to the company. BYD said the enlarged network is aimed at improving customer access to its electric and plug-in hybrid models across the UK. The company added that both new and existing partners contributed to the growth, with…

Kia said its EV4 and PV5 Passenger models have become the first vehicles from the brand to qualify for the UK government’s Electric Car Grant, making them eligible for a £1,500 reduction in purchase prices. The incentive applies to EV4 “Air” variants and PV5 Passenger “Essential” and “Plus” trims, covering both 81.4 kWh and 58.3 kWh battery options. Under the Band 2 category of the Electric Car Grant scheme, the discount lowers the on-the-road starting price of the EV4 to £33,245, while the PV5 Passenger begins at £31,495. Paul Philpott, President and Chief Executive of Kia UK, said the timing…

Duracell E-Charge has commissioned its first public electric vehicle charging hub in the United Kingdom, launching a town-centre site in Cheltenham equipped with ultra-rapid chargers powered by renewable energy. The company said its first location is now operational at Bath Terrace Car Park, placing high-power charging infrastructure “in the heart of the town.” The site is designed to provide fast and reliable charging, with an emphasis on accessibility, ease of use and high operational availability. The installation includes five ultra-rapid chargers, each capable of delivering up to 300 kilowatts, serving a total of 10 charging bays. Duracell E-Charge said the…

The Welsh Ambulance Service has placed its first fully electric vehicles into frontline service, introducing 10 MAXUS eDELIVER 5 vans alongside 20 plug-in hybrid Ford Transit Custom models as part of a £22.4 million fleet investment backed by the Welsh Government. The service said the electric vehicles will be primarily used as single responder units by Advanced Paramedic Practitioners and Cymru High Acuity Response Unit paramedics. The vehicles are being deployed at multiple locations, including Wrexham, Aberystwyth, Gelli, Bryncethin, Neath, Swansea, Blackwood and Cardiff, providing coverage across Wales. See also: Evolt Charging Installs EV Charge Points at Cadw Heritage Sites…

Nottingham City Transport (NCT) has completed the electrification of its entire single-decker bus fleet after taking delivery of its final batch of electric vehicles, marking a key milestone in the operator’s transition toward a fully zero-emission operation. The municipal bus operator said it has now deployed 62 electric single-decker buses, following the recent introduction of 14 vehicles on its Grey Line 53 and 54 routes, which serve Arnold, City Hospital, the Ring Road, Queen’s Medical Centre and Clifton. NCT said the conversion of its single-deck fleet was achieved in 18 months. See also: Nottingham City Transport Expands Electric Bus Fleet,…

Britain will begin reviewing its electric vehicle sales targets earlier than planned, the government said, responding to sustained pressure from carmakers while stressing that its long-term plan to phase out new petrol and diesel cars by 2035 remains unchanged. The review, which will start next year instead of in 2027, will focus on the country’s zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate, a policy that requires an increasing proportion of new car sales to be electric each year. The mandate is designed to support the transition to electric mobility ahead of the 2035 deadline. See also: UK Battery Startup Anaphite Raises £1.4 Million…

Xpeng UK has confirmed that the new G6 will enter the British market in the first quarter of 2026, bringing a significant technical update that includes an 800-volt silicon carbide platform, next-generation battery technology and a high-performance AWD Black Edition priced below £50,000. The expansion marks one of Xpeng’s most competitive entries into the UK EV segment to date. The 2026 G6 lineup is headlined by the dual-motor AWD Performance Black Edition, which produces 358 kW and 660 Nm of torque, enabling 0–62 mph acceleration in 4.13 seconds. The model features enhanced chassis tuning and all-wheel-drive dynamics aimed at improving…