The UK government has announced £10 million in new funding to accelerate the rollout of electric vehicle (EV) chargers that can operate independently of the main electricity grid.
The initiative seeks to address grid capacity challenges and expand charging access in remote or rural areas where infrastructure is limited.
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The Department for Transport (DfT) said the funding will support charge point operators and investors in developing innovative charging solutions that use renewable power and energy storage to avoid costly grid upgrades. Projects combining technologies such as solar energy and battery systems will be prioritised, particularly in grid-constrained regions where high costs or long delays have hindered charger deployment.
Applicants must design charging hubs capable of providing ultra-rapid DC charging for at least 12 vehicles at once to qualify for the programme. Private companies can apply through Innovate UK’s website until 25 March 2025. Claire Spooner, Innovate UK’s director of mobility, said the competition aims to test “new approaches to the EV charging power challenges on England’s strategic road network, especially in rural areas,” adding that the outcomes will help “build capability and bring together energy and transport stakeholders to improve EV charging for longer journeys.”
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The funding announcement follows a series of government measures intended to both streamline and reshape EV charging policy. Last week, the DfT pledged to simplify the installation process for on-street charging points. At the same time, the UK’s charging sector is bracing for possible new business tax rates that could increase costs for operators and consumers.
